Respect for history

The interiors of the Victoria Theatre have been designed with a view to preserving its unique character. The preserved traces of the fire, the damaged plasterwork and the details of the former theatre hall have become an essential part of the venue’s identity. The modern technical installations and fittings have been kept to a minimum and finished in subdued black so as not to compete with the building’s original structure.

Modern design

The designers opted for a minimalist palette of three colours – terracotta, grey and black. The terracotta echoes the exposed brickwork, whilst the grey and black introduce a modern feel. The lighting was custom-designed, drawing inspiration from the theatre’s historic balcony balustrades, and serves both a decorative and practical purpose. Linear and spot lighting systems emphasise the rhythm of the architecture and create a unique atmosphere within the interior.

Places to discover

The design includes a foyer, corridors, cloakrooms, toilets, a staircase and an office, as well as visual concepts for the theatre hall and auditorium. Historical details have inspired new elements; for example, the flooring in the foyer echoes the decoration around the stage, whilst the arched forms from the façade appear in the interior design, creating a cohesive motif that blends seamlessly with the building’s external architecture.

Modern functionality

The interior design for the Victoria Theatre is conceptual in nature and demonstrates how the building’s historical character can be combined with the requirements of modern use. New technical features enable the fulfilment of staging, acoustic and functional requirements without compromising the historical layout of the theatre hall or its auditorium.

The new visualisations are not just an interior design project – they also represent a vision for the future of the Victoria Theatre, blending the memory of its rich history with 21st-century aesthetics and functionality.

Visualisations created by ER Design Interior Architecture Studio.

During the briefing, the key objectives of the project, the schedule of works and the scope of the first phase of the modernisation were discussed. Information was also provided regarding the ‘design and build’ tender that had been announced, emphasising that this is the first, landmark step towards transforming Ruin into a year-round centre for artistic events.

The city authorities highlighted the importance of the project for the development of local culture and the improvement of public spaces. It was emphasised that the regeneration of the Victoria Theatre Ruins forms part of a broader vision to create the Gliwice Culture Zone, which will also include new recreational, social and artistic facilities in the area around Przyjaźni Avenue and the adjacent streets.

The briefing also outlined further plans regarding the preparation of an urban planning and architectural competition for the development of the area surrounding the theatre, as well as the anticipated timetable for the implementation of the project’s subsequent stages.

_{Photo by Michał Buksa.}

a new space for residents

Plans include spaces for culture, leisure, outdoor events, community activities, café facilities and art workshops. The conceptual design is being developed by the City Planning Office as part of the GZM Metropolitan Prototyping School. An urban planning and architectural competition is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

The Gliwice Culture Zone is expected to be completed after 2028 and is set to be a key project aimed at improving the quality of life in Gliwice.

The ruins of the Victoria Theatre, a place with a unique history and atmosphere, have for years operated only seasonally. The revitalization aims to enable them to utilize their full potential year-round.

A year-round venue within historic walls

The ruins of the Victoria Theatre, a place with a remarkable history and a unique atmosphere, have for years been open only seasonally. The regeneration project aims to enable the venue to be used to its full potential all year round.

“We are launching a project that will allow residents to enjoy the Ruins in comfortable surroundings and with new artistic opportunities,” says Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, Mayor of Gliwice. “We want to create a space that combines the history of the site with a modern function, thereby enhancing the quality of life in our city.”

Scope of work for the first phase

The first phase will involve comprehensive construction and modernisation work:

• reinforcement of the building’s foundations and structure,
• the reconstruction of the loggia on the car park side,
• restoring the safety of balconies,
• maintenance and protection of the façade,
• the refurbishment of the interior and the creation of a modern auditorium with approximately 400 seats (305 on the ground floor + 22.4 optional seats for people with disabilities, 87 in the balcony),
• the flexibility to adapt the space for performances, concerts and exhibitions,
• installation of an immersive sound system,
• the refurbishment of the entrance area and foyer,
• full adaptation of the premises to the needs of people with disabilities.

There are also plans for features that will highlight the character of the site: a ‘VICTORIA’ neon sign, an LED video wall facing Przyjaźni Avenue, and a space for a planned mural referencing the theatre’s history.

The regeneration of the Victoria Theatre ruins has been included in Gliwice’s Long-Term Financial Forecast. Work is due to start in 2026 and is expected to take around two years.

The second phase – covering the area surrounding the Ruins, the car park, Friendship Avenue and the historic cellar with its swimming pool basin – will be selected through an architectural design competition.

This will be the first comprehensive design week in the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis!

The programme will include conferences, exhibitions, workshops, mentoring sessions and open studios, all centred on the idea of design as a tool for innovation and regional development.

Project initiators: Katarzyna Sokołowska from SOKKA studio and Kamil Iwanicki (CKV).