Elektryków Street is not an ordinary street like many others in this beautiful city, it is a place that is transforming from an industrial giant into the cultural heart of Gdańsk, becoming the background for an extraordinary history of transformation.
From the echoes of a mighty shipyard, through abandoned halls, to a Renaissance full of art and life. A place where the industrial past intertwines with modern culture, creating a space for creators, artists and anyone looking for inspiration. From the B90 club, a symbol of the musical revolution, to the 100th anniversary, a microcosm of independent creativity and culinary discoveries.
Elektryków Street is no longer just a testimony to the history of Gdańsk, but living proof that the city is constantly renewing itself, transforming its industrial heritage into a new narrative full of life and art.
The history of Elektryków Street
Elektryków Street, located in the very heart of Gdańsk, is a living testament to the city's history full of twists and turns, closely intertwined with its industrial and cultural heritage. Once a vibrant shipyard artery, today it is a story of an extraordinary transformation - from an industrial giant, through a period of neglect, to dynamic reactivation.
Its genesis is inextricably linked to the Gdańsk Shipyard, which was not only the heart of the Polish shipbuilding industry, but also the epicenter of events of key importance to the history of Poland, such as the August strikes in 1980 and the creation of Solidarity.
Political and economic changes at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s caused the shipyard, like other industrial behemoths, to lose its importance. This led to the closure of some of its operations and the abandonment of many buildings.
This area, which for nearly 180 years had witnessed the construction of ships for various countries, including Prussia, Germany, Poland and, above all, the USSR, seemed doomed to oblivion after the collapse of the Gdańsk Shipyard in the late 1990s. But as history shows, the nature of the abhorret vacuum - today the shipyard area is teeming with life again, performing functions completely different from the original ones.
The Gdańsk Shipyard, now a space full of galleries, clubs, cultural institutions and the European Solidarity Center, has become a magnet not only for the inhabitants of Gdańsk, but also for tourists from all over the world.
The transformation from a closely guarded production plant into an open cultural space proves the extraordinary adaptability and vitality of this place. Elektryków Street and the surrounding area have become a symbol of transformation, reflecting not only the history of Gdańsk, but also the whole of Poland and our part of Europe.
New life in an industrial atmosphere
The process of reactivation of Elektryków Street is an example of the "adaptive reuse" trend, i.e. adaptive reuse of abandoned industrial spaces for new functions, in this case cultural and social ones.
Local initiatives, often with the participation of artists and activists, have transformed forgotten warehouses and production halls into spaces for art, culture and entertainment. In this way, Elektryków Street becomes a living example of how new life and energy can be extracted from seemingly dead urban tissue.
Today's Elektryków Street is teeming with life, home to many cultural initiatives, music clubs, art galleries and exhibition spaces. Places such as B90 or 100cznia attract lovers of music, art and good fun, offering a rich program of events, from concerts to exhibitions.
What was once the heart of industrial Gdańsk has now become a cultural center, attracting not only city residents, but also tourists from all over the country and abroad.
Looking to the future, ul. Elektryków faces many challenges, but also opportunities. Plans for further renovation and expansion of cultural spaces, as well as integration with other revitalization projects in Gdańsk, may further increase its importance as a center of creativity and innovation.
It is important, despite all changes, to maintain the spirit of the place that makes Elektryków Street so unique - its industrial heritage, historical value and contemporary cultural ferment.
B90 concert club
It all started with one place, with the vision of adapting shipyard halls into a post-industrial music space, this place was the B90 club. The club was founded in June 2013 by Arkadiusz Hronowski, known as "Nobody", who is also the owner of the Spatif club in Sopot.
Its mission, supported by the music portal Soundrive.pl, involves building a strong, alternative music environment that opposes commercial entertainment. The club is located in the three-story transhipment hall 90B of the former Gdańsk Shipyard at ul. Electricians, which further emphasizes its unique character and connection with the historical space of the city.
Additionally, an interesting element is the fact that the club is equipped with two stages, including the main B90 Stage, intended for concerts of artists with an established position on the music scene, and the smaller B90 Soundrive Stage, dedicated to concerts of alternative and niche artists. This distinction demonstrates B90's openness to a variety of musical genres and artists, both established and emerging.
Another interesting aspect is the acoustic adaptation of the hall, which was carried out by Michał Sierakowski and Paweł Ślagowski. In just nine days, they managed to reduce the reverberation of the steel and reinforced concrete hall from the initial seven seconds, which proves the attention to sound quality and listener comfort.
Club B90 is also a place of unique cultural and entertainment events, such as SzlamFest dedicated to "junk culture" and Soundrive Festival, an independent music festival. These events, in addition to regular concerts and events, consolidate B90's position as a key point on the cultural map of Gdańsk, attracting both the local community and guests from further regions.
In addition to the basic concert function, B90 offers the possibility of organizing conferences, symposia, closed events, film and theater premieres, fashion shows, congresses, fairs, galas and events, which emphasizes its versatility and openness to various forms of cultural and artistic activity.
In the context of broader cultural and social initiatives, it is interesting to see the creation of new culinary and entertainment spaces nearby, which proves the dynamic development of the area around B90 and its impact on the urban space of Gdańsk.
100th day
100cznia, located right next to Elektryków Street, or more precisely in the shipyard atmosphere, in the square of Narzędziowcy, Malarzy, Stolarzy, Niterów streets, is a unique urban space that combines container architecture with a rich cultural and gastronomic offer.
A place with the idea of creating an independent microcosm in the heart of a post-industrial shipyard has become home to numerous cafes, bars, a concert stage and art galleries.
In 100czni you can find several street food outlets offering flavors from all over the world, from Indian snacks, through Italian pasta, vegan Middle Eastern specialties, to Greek souvlaki and Philly cheesesteak.
Concerts, DJ events, clothing and vinyl fairs, film screenings, yoga classes, workshops and author meetings are held here regularly. On Friday and Saturday nights, the space turns into a large dance floor and a night food market, with hip hop, nu soul, afrobeat and tropical house music, creating a unique atmosphere.
Interestingly, 100cznia also offers a beach area, becoming an alternative to the beaches of the Tricity. It is a friendly place for families, young people, the elderly and dog owners, combining picnic and party vibes.
Culinary, 100cznia and Ul. Elektryków are a must-see for every foodie visiting Gdańsk, offering a wide range of flavors, from vegan donuts, through Italian-style panini, to a variety of dishes from around the world.
Inspired by creativity and independence, 100cznia attracts both Gdańsk residents and tourists, offering not only gastronomy, but also a rich cultural and artistic program. Its casual atmosphere, combined with a strong program of events, creates a unique place on the map of Gdańsk.