Chrobrego Street is an avenue located in downtown Bydgoszcz, Poland. Its frontage carries tenements which present a character of uniformity in their architectural features, several of them being listed at the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list.
Location The street is laid parallel to Śniadeckich street, stemming from Pomorska street in the east to Piastowski Square in the west. On its way, it crosses Henryka Sienkiewicza Street.
History Like most of the thoroughfares in the area, Chrobrego street came to existence in the early 1870s, boosted by the development of the city in the second half of the 19th century, thanks to the rising of the industrial and railway activities. The axis counted only 5 built plots during the 1870s, then slowly reached 10 houses in the 1880s.
During its existence, the street had the following names: till 1920, Schleinitz Straße, after Alexander von Schleinitz (1807–1885), Prussian Foreign Minister from 1858 to 1861 and minister for the royal household from 1861 to 1885; 1920–1939, Ulica Bolesława Chrobrego; 1939–1945, Schleinitz Straße; Since 1945, Ulica Bolesława Chrobrego.
The current name refers to Bolesław I (967–1025), known as Bolesław the Brave (), who was Duke of Poland from 992 to 1025 and the first King of Poland in 1025. He was also Duke of Bohemia between 1003 and 1004 as Boleslaus IV
Within time, the house numbering in the street changed several times, either to account for the extension of the axis (in the mid-1880s and in 1900) or adapt the horse shoe system to the Polish rule (in 1920).
Main areas and edifices Tenement at 29A Pomorska Street, corner with Chrobrego street
1999
Modern architecture
Reconstructed at the end of the 20th century, the building mimics the brick edifices of the previous century, exposing a bay window. The plot has been built since 1895 but was registered under 19 Rinkauerstaße (today's Pomorska street).
Tenements at 2/6
1890s: 1895 (Nr.2), 1893 (Nr.4 and 6)
Eclecticism
These three buildings, which elevations border the northern side of the street, have been commissioned and managed by the Beamten – Wohnungsverein GmbH Bromberg (Housing Association Bromberg) till 1920, then by the Bydgoska Spółdzielnia Mieszkaniowa (Bydoszcz Housing Cooperative). The aim of both bodies was to provide housing for fair prices to those in need, managing several dozens of tenements in various districts of the city.
The buildings present all eclectic features: Nr.2 stands at the corner with corner with 31 Pomorska Street, while Nos.4 and 6 share the same elevation. Fairly renovated in 2020, one can highlight the elaborate wooden decoration of the door at Nr.2 and the twin entrance portal at Nr.4/6, confining the doors inside a portal framed by two pilasters and topped by a high triangular pediment. In the backyard of the tenement at Nr.6 stands one of the oldest hand pumps of the city (from 1897): they were originally made of wood and replaced to iron ones in the 1880s.
Robert Schliefs's tenement at 3
1895-1900
Eclecticism
Robert Schlief was an engineer-mechanic in electrics, but also working in electrical telegraphs, lightning conductors or power plants. Robert's family lived there till 1920 and the return of Bydgoszcz under Polish rule, they then transferred to nearby Zduny street.
The brick-and-stucco frontage displays bossage elements at ground level and bedecked corbels below the eaves. The slight middle avant-corps is crowned by a pediment bearing 1900, the construction date.
Tenement at 5
1893
Eclecticism
The parcel has received many different numberings during the Prussian period: 2, 1a then 1b Schleinitz Straße succeeded before 1920. Prior to WWII, the landlord was Jan Neumann, a rentier.
The building has been renovated in the framework of the program launched by the municipality in 2018–2019. The result reveals plethora of architectural details: mascarons above the windows on the ground floor, a classical style portal with Corinthian order columns and a pediment, adorned openings on upper floors and corbels beneath the eaves.
Tenement at 7
1893-1894
Eclecticism
The commissioner of the tenement was Albert Backe, a freight trader, living at 12 Livonius Straße (today's Jana III Sobieskego street).
Although it dates back to a similar period of time, the eclectic frontage at Nr.7 differs somehow from the others with a double door offset entrance, round top windows on the ground floor and slender adorned pilasters highlighting the modest avant-corps above the door.
Tenement at 8
Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list, Nr.A/1713 issued on January 1, 2017
1892-1893
Eclecticism
The first registered landlord was Theofila Sokolowski, widow of a locksmith, living at the abutting building she also possessed, at Nr.10 (then 22 Schleinitz Straße). Before inhabiting there, she lived with her late husband Franz at 75a Danziger Straße, today's 145 Gdańska Street.
Renovated in 2019, the symmetrical façade displays numerous details of stuccoed decoration: mascarons, cornices, consoles, window sills.
Sokolowski tenement at 10
1893-1894
Eclecticism
Franz Sokolowski, a locksmith, commissioned the edifice and transferred there from his previous address at 75a Danziger Straße, today's 145 Gdańska Street. Her widow Theofila survived him and kept ownership of this tenement and the one at Nr.10 till 1900.
The facade exhibits much less details than other refurbished buildings in the street.
Plot at 11, formerly MINERVA company
1922
Industrial architecture
In 1922, buildings were erected by the shoe manufacturing company MINERVA, established by Józef Tucholski and Bernard Sigurski. From the very beginning, the Minerva factory quickly achieved a considerable size and level of production considering its pre-war capabilities. Up to 400 pairs of shoes a day were produced here. In 1937, Józef Tucholski became the sole owner and started to expand the firm. However, in September 1939, the factory was taken over by the Germans, who transferred his family to Potulice concentration camp. After the war, the plant was nationalized and merged with other local factories ("LEO", "Junak", "Helios" or the Bucholz tannery) under the brand "KOBRA". The only memento of this glorious period is the large inscription on the side brick wall. After the Second World War, flats were arranged in the side building, once a number of alteration works had been realized to refurbish the ancient plant premises.
Tenement at 12
1893
Eclecticism
A rentier, Albin Cohnfeld, living at 32 Bahnoffstraße (today's 73 Dworcowa Street) was the landlord of this building.
Refurbished in the late 2010s, the edifice is especially noticeable with its two large balconies, fenced by a balustrade, protruding out of the facade.
Plot at 14
The building houses today a NFZ clinic, but the facility, via slight adjustments, witnessed many changes in its history.
In the late 1890s, the place at then 20 Schleinitzstrasse was an Officer's Casino for the military personnel in nearby barracks at Karl Straße (Warszawska street), Friedrich Wilhelm Straße (Zygmunta Augusta street) and Rinkauerstraße (Pomorska street).
After the re-creation of the Polish state, in mid-September 1919, the building was bought by "Orient", a cigarette manufacturer from Poznań which set up in the premises a factory directed by Tadeusz Karasiński. The plant employed 110 people and produced daily more than a million cigarettes. In 1921, the site was expanded: a factory hall was added in the yard along the property at Nr.16. The production ceased in June 1922 when a state tobacco monopoly was introduced by the Polish government.
Soon afterwards (mid-1920s), the factory was sold to the company "Zakład Przemysłowe ZAP", operating at nearby Kwiatowa street. After building works, the site was converted to a pasta production plant, which opened in January 1926. In 1928, "ZAP" sold the premises to Józef Häusler. He developed production, modernized the factory, inserted new, more efficient machines and improved the social conditions of employees. The plant was re-branded "Bydgoska Fabryka Makaronu i Środków Spożywczych, Józef Häusler". In the 1930s, it produced not only pasta, but also puddings, mincemeat, jellies, baking powders and oils and essences for dough. The site, which employed 37 people in 1937, had been manufacturing around one thousand tons of produces per year. During World War II, the factory was taken over by German management, expanded and renamed "Bromberger Teigwaren- und Nährmittelwerke" vorm. J. Häusler, Bromberg.
Józef Häusler was murdered by the Gestapo during Bydgoszcz occupation; his name is mentioned on a commemorative plaque in honor of the merchants who perished in 1939–1945, placed in Bydgoszcz Cathedral.
In January 1945, Soviet troops billeted in the factory premises. In the late 1940s, the plant was nationalized under the brand "Bydgoską Wytwórnią Makaronu" ("Bydgoszcz Pasta Manufacturing Company"). It remained operational till the 1960s. The last director was Mr. Wielgus, who lived in the factory building, on the ground floor with his family.
Tenement at 15
1895
Eclecticism
First registered owner at then 7 Schleinitz Straße was Wilhelm Voigt. A year later, the edifice moved into the hands of Theodor Walter, a hotelier who ran a hotel (Walter's hotel) at 4 KornMarkt (today's Zbożowy Rynek). He had the third floor extended with a residential wing, on a design by Bromberg famous architect Józef Święcicki. After WWII, the building housed a factory of mineral water: writings are still legible near the side door on the right of the edifice, Pierwsza Polska, Fabryka Wód Mineralnich.
The deteriorated facade still exhibits some mascarons, windows embellished with pediments and festoons, adorned lintels, corbel with vegetal motifs, corinthian columns and two loggias.
Gustaw Röske tenement at 16
1912
Early Modern Architecture
Gustaw Röske was a master baker who had owned the plot since the early 1890s. He did not live there, but at 88 Bahnhoff Straße (today's 18 Dworcowa Street), till WWI.
The early modernist elevation does not carry any architectural details, bare the presence of lean vertical lines and a large bay window.
Tenement at 17
1910
Late Art Nouveau
Although the parcel was built since the 1890s, the current building has been commissioned by Hermann Baruch, selling metal scraps and discards.
The balanced facade exposes two bay windows topped by gambrel roof gables. At the top, two dormer windows overlook the large entrance door.
August Jordan tenement at 18, corner with 24 Sienkiewicza Street
Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list, Nr.787208, A/1626 issued on February 6, 2013
1891-1892
Eclecticism
The commissioner was August Jordan, a raft builder. He lived there till the start of the 20th century.
The building, renovated in 2019, is remarkable by its mix of plain brick and bossage elements. Furthermore, all the windows on the first floor have pediments while the last storey displays floral decoration in cartouches.
Tenement at 23 Sienkiewicza Street, corner with Chrobrego street
1890s, by H. Brennecke
Neo-Renaissance
Teophil Tucholski, a locomotive driver, was the landlord at the construction of the building.
Nicely decorated cartouches are noticeable on the first floor of both facades.
Tenement at 19
1895-1896
Eclecticism
August Warnicke, living at 54 Bahnhoff Straße (today at the crossing of Dworcowa Street and Śniadeckich Street), ran this renting tenement till 1915. At the end of the First World War, his widow Alwine moved there before transferring to Świętojańska street in the 1920s.
The renovation carried out by the city showcases a multitude of stuccoed details and decoration, from the portal, to the bedecked pedimented windows.
Tenement at 20 Chrobrego street, corner with Sienkiewicza street
1895-1896
Eclecticism