Katowice Gaming and Technology Hub – next step

The tender committee has announced the contractor for the first stage of the Gaming and Technology Hub on the site of the former “Wieczorek” Coal Mine. In the place, where heavy industry once thrived, we will build infrastructure to bring together entrepreneurs from the new technology industry. Due to the scope and character of the project, it is comparable to the construction of the Katowice Culture Zone.

photo: K. Kalkowski

– The construction of the Gaming and Technology Hub is an exceptional investment for many reasons. It will be located in the unique and historic complex of the former “Wieczorek” Coal Mine. Thanks to this, part of the existing post-industrial buildings will be adapted to the needs of the Hub, although we will also built new buildings. The value of the offer selected in the tender is over PLN 577 million. After signing the contract, the contractor will have 32 months to complete the works and the acceptance process – says Marcin Krupa, the mayor of Katowice. – Our city is already the headquarters of many companies from to IT and e-sports sector. The gaming and technology hub will not only offer them a space tailored to their needs, but will also become a magnet attracting other entities to Katowice.

Buildings over a hundred years old will become a modern space

Hub wizualizacja1_AMC – Andrzej M. Chołdzyński

The Hub will be a space for companies from the gaming and e-sports industries, as well as companies from new technologies sector. Construction works within the first stage of the investment will focus on already existing facilities, including development of the “Pułaski” Shaft. These are over a hundred years old industrial buildings, which are a unique example of an industrial mine from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They housed, among others, a bathhouse, a lamp room, a pithead, mechanical workshops, a carpentry shop, as well as a shaft top with a hoisting tower, which, despite the construction of new facilities, will remain intact.

– This space will be revitalised and adapted to offer new functions, thanks to which the historical and architectural value will be preserved, and the area will once again be used by people, although this time in a completely different branch of the economy – saysAndrzej Hołda, president of Katowickie Inwestycje S.A., the company which is in charge of this investment.

As part of the investment, among other things, an underground passage will be built to connect various parts of the complex. Its basic role will be to integrate the adapted facilities of the former mine. It will be a shared space but will also offer space for symposia, shows and exhibitions. The upper level of the passage is designed as a public park. It will consist of thematic mini-gardens, including: a contemplative garden, a garden of social benefit and a water garden. The scope of works of stage I includes two bus stops on Szopienicka Street.

Additionally, the facility will be powered by alternative, ecological methods and renewable sources.

Over PLN 577 million for the construction of the first stage of the Gaming and Technology Hub

Hub wizualizacja1_AMC – Andrzej M. Chołdzyński

On December 12, the tender committee opened 8 submitted bids. The difference between the cheapest and the most expensive bid is over PLN 252.2 million. The tender committee selected the bid submitted by STRABAG Sp. z o.o. – PLN 577.2 million. Soon, the documents will be analysed by the Public Procurement Office. After the positive verdict, we will sign the contract. Then, the contractor will have 32 months to complete the task and complete the acceptance procedure with the investor.

– For the Gaming and Technology Hub project to be successful, it is crucial that it covers four areas: gaming and esports, AI technologies, digital technologies, and creating bridges and establishing cooperation between startups, universities and public administration. This will help us continue the process of city transformation, which Katowice has been successfully implementing for years – says Marcin Nowak, vice president of the Katowice Gaming and Technology Hub

Control rooms and training rooms for players

At the same time, we are working on the design documentation for the second stage of the investment, i.e. the construction of a multifunctional facility located in the southeast of the historic complex of the “Pułaski” Shaft. Its most important place is a hall with an area of ​​5,000 m2, which will be divided it into smaller rooms. It will be used as TV and film studios or a place for e-sports games. In addition, the facility will include, among others, control rooms, rooms for production support, training rooms for players.

A car park and a bicycle room have been designed in the underground part of the facility.

Katowice District of New Technologies

The Hub will concentrate companies from the gaming and e-sports industry as well as entities from the technology industry. At the same time, the modern space and presence of business is expected to attract other large companies. The hub is also to support the cooperation of this business with the academic community.