Conservation and upgrade works underway for Carbochim Factory landmark building of ambient value for 1 Mai Square din Cluj-Napoca

The landmark building of Carbochim Factory, the largest manufacturer of abrasives in Romania, also bearing landmark value for the industrial history of Cluj-Napoca City, will be rehabilitated and integrated in the largest urban reconversion mixed-use project in Romania by IULIUS. The works were kickstarted and entail ample efforts for bringing it up to safety and resistance parameters, as the building is vulnerable to seismic risk. This is one of the buildings carrying ambient value that will be preserved and integrated into the new project as coworking venue; the other building, namely the arcade hall, will be transformed into a building with cultural uses. Works are also underway for dismantling the other halls on the former industrial platform.The video below shows a discussion about the history of the former Carbochim platform between Viorel Popoviciu (General Manager of Carbochim SA), Szabolcs Guttmann (architect specialized in the protection of historical monuments and sites), Ștefan Dimitriu (President of the Cluj Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and others

IULIUS Group is proposing an investment project upwards of half-billion Euro in Cluj-Napoca, entailing the transformation of the former Carbochim industrial platform into the largest urban reconversion mixed-use project in Romania. The factory utilized only a third of the 13+ hectares industrial area, while the rest of it was occupied by various constructions in an advanced state of decay and non-operational for more than 25 years, which represented a financial burden and a blockage to potential investments. The area will be restored to the city in the form of a family-friendly, interactive space that is accessible to the entire community, with a strong focus on culture, entertainment, and edutainment.

Abrasives manufacturer Carbochim, the largest in its industry on the local market and one of the few factories to maintain its business to this date following privatization, was already relocated in facilities that are adapted to industrial processes and underwent an extensive upgrading process, entailing total investments upwards of 5 million Euro.

The iconic Carbochim brick building was built between 1949 and 1952, has an area of approx. 2,320 sqm, spanning four floors, and is classed as a building bearing artistic-ambient value. In line with the building permit no. 541 dated 29.06.2023, the administrative building will undergo interior repartitioning and fitting-out works, while its façade will be preserved via brick restoration and treatment works.

Multiple studies were conducted to ensure the correct approach to the entire area, including historical, architectural and structure resistance studies, 3D scans and materials testing, in order to identify the buildings that can be preserved safely and in line with their symbolic value for the area. The expert reports rated the building as vulnerable to seismic risk, on account of both its old age and the technological solutions used to build it 70 years ago. “The restoration efforts are quite extensive, because the building is in a precarious condition according to the technical expert reports, as it was built per the regulations and with materials dating back to the 1950s. In fact, the constructions on the former platform are in an advanced state of decay, some due to the activity they accommodated, which produced highly corrosive gases. Although we also wanted to include other representative elements into the new project, such as the gas flues, the expert reports revealed major issues in their resistance structures and that their condition makes their conservation impossible,” explained Sorin Guttman, Project Manager of the IULIUS urban reconversion project.

The dismantling works for the decayed facilities on the former platform are also currently underway, in accordance with the demolition permits obtained starting this spring. The effort is coordinated by BS Recycling, one of the most highly experienced specialized companies, implementing the most modern technologies in this field, with controlled interventions designed to mitigate the impact on the environment and the comfort in the vicinity alike.

Bringing history into the present

The brick building is one of the two buildings to be leveraged as part of an extensive urban reconversion project developed by IULIUS Company. The second one is the arcade hall, which also defines the 1 Mai Square cityscape and is set to be transformed into a performing arts center.

The concept of the mixed-use complex is unique in South-East Europe, integrating cultural, retail, office, and entertainment uses, connected by an ample garden, and smoothly fitting into the urban fabric of Cluj-Napoca via investments in the coordination of connectivity mobility. This is a mixed-use complex spanning 13+ hectares, designed and built in line with the highest sustainability standards, set to restore a part of the city and the city life by means of the following:

• two industrial buildings preserved and converted into cultural venues and spaces for supporting local initiatives
• live arts center and auditorium marking a national premiere, in partnership with the cultural sector: concerts, theater and contemporary dance performances, fashion, design, and media arts events
• 52,000 sqm of landscaped green spaces, connected with Feroviarilor and Armătura parks: Japanese garden, 100,000 decorative plants, and 700+ mature trees
• developing the Someș riverfront to ensure the accessibility of the general public and preserve the natural setting
• family-friendly project – high-end brands, family-friendly and home&deco specialty anchors, the most diverse mix of international coffee shops and concept-restaurants in Romania, fresh market, local services and products, family entertainment and edutainment concept marking national premieres
• premium office spaces and spaces supporting local entrepreneurship
• public utility investments: a new four-lane road bridge over Someș River with sidewalks and bicycle lanes * street upgrades for Porțelanului & Câmpul Pâinii streets and coordinating their junctions with Paris Street * two pedestrian walkways towards Armătura Park and the green area adjacent to Nădășel Street * 3,200 meters of bicycle infrastructure along the entire perimeter of the project, including along Someș River
• 1,600+ bicycle parking spaces * infrastructure for 900 electric vehicle spaces
• up to 4,800 underground and aboveground parking spaces.