Brown Brothers Harriman has selected the WITA destination project in Kraków as the new location for its Polish headquarters. With the signing of this lease, the project has achieved full commercialization. This marks an important milestone of Echo Investment’s development and confirms WITA’s potential as a multifunctional destination that combines modern office space, services, and a thoughtfully designed urban environment.
Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) is a global financial institution operating in the world’s key markets, and a leading provider of asset servicing and operating model solutions to global asset managers and financial institutions. The decision to lease an entire building within the WITA project demonstrates that international organizations increasingly value not only high-quality office space, but also the surrounding environment, accessibility, connectivity, and overall workplace experience.
“Brown Brothers Harriman (Poland) Sp. z o. o in Krakow is centrally important to our global operations and has been for many years. That is why selecting a new home for our business and for our team was a decision of great significance. In Wita we have a unique opportunity to shape a workspace designed from the ground up for how we work today, with sustainability and technology as key considerations, that facilitates multiple modes of working and work practices. The project combines high-quality, flexible office space with enhanced technology, more areas for collaboration, access to services, greenery, and amenities that support our employees’ daily needs. Just as importantly, our new home re-enforces our presence in Kraków and creates a distinctive and welcoming focal point for our staff, clients and visitors. We believe that when we are together, in person, collaborating in a well designed workplace, that it drives better outcomes for our clients and stronger career development for our people” says, Seán Páircéir, Partner, Global Head of Investor Services, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
More than an office
Brown Brothers Harriman will occupy the entire office building C, offering approximately 13,300 sqm of modern Class A space. The building is located on Wita Stwosza Street, in the immediate vicinity of the Home Army Museum. This decision allows BBH to create a cohesive, independent environment for its Kraków team, tailored to the organization’s way of working, structure, and growth plans. The thoughtfully designed floor layouts enable flexible arrangements of offices, collaboration zones, meeting spaces, and individual work areas, while a representative ground-floor lobby will emphasize the tenant’s distinct identity within the multifunctional complex.
“WITA is another example of a successful destination project that has transformed this part of Kraków. We create places that combine multiple functions and respond to the real rhythm of the city, work, and everyday life. Brown Brothers Harriman’s lease of the entire Building C confirms that, in today’s environment, companies are looking for locations where employees can work, connect, and enjoy their daily lives. For large organizations, it is increasingly important not only what the office itself looks like, but also the environment in which their teams operate. WITA offers access to modern office space, services, green areas, and shared amenities, while fitting seamlessly into the history and scale of this part of Kraków. The project has created a vibrant, multifunctional urban quarter that remains active throughout the day. This is how we see the future of urban development: creating places that respond to the needs of the people who use them every day,” says Rafał Mazurczak, COO of Echo Investment.
Cushman & Wakefield, a global commercial real estate services firm, advised BBH on the commercial and technical negotiations, as well as on workplace optimization.
“Brown Brothers Harriman’s decision shows that ambitious developments meet the expectations of ambitious and reputable occupiers. WITA is an example of a non-standard, mixed-use scheme bringing together residential apartments, office space, student housing and food & beverage functions in one place. It is also distinguished by its prime location, quality and placemaking, while the lease of an entire building by a financial institution further reinforces the business rationale for this type of investment. At the same time, the transaction demonstrates Brown Brothers Harriman’s long-term commitment to Kraków and confirms the city’s position as one of the key hubs for financial, technology and operational services globally. From the occupier’s perspective, a transaction of this scale provides greater control over infrastructure, security and processes. For investors, in turn, it sends a clear message that Kraków’s office market remains active, and that high-quality assets continue to attract stable, large-scale occupiers,” comments Krzysztof Misiak, Head of Poland, Cushman & Wakefield.
First destination in Cracow
WITA is the first destination-type project in Kraków, developed by Echo Investment and Archicom. A new multifunctional urban quarter is being created on a 3-hectare site on Wita Stwosza Street, combining offices, residential units, services, dining, recreation, and greenery. The development includes five four-story buildings designed as a cohesive space open to the city, supporting both everyday life and work. The project is being developed on the site of former 19th-century supply warehouses of the Kraków Fortress and is carried out in cooperation with the heritage conservation authority. The architectural concept, referencing the site’s historical heritage, was designed by the Kraków-based studio MOFO Architekci. Echo Investment is responsible for the commercial part, which includes two office buildings with retail and service units on the ground floors. Archicom is developing the residential part, comprising two residential buildings also complemented with ground-floor services.
Top office projects
The buildings are designed in line with BREEAM Excellent certification standards and are equipped with solutions supporting efficient and more responsible use of space. These include, among others, partial use of renewable energy sources, a rainwater recovery and reuse system, electric vehicle charging stations, an intelligent BMS system, and modern ventilation with VAV control, ensuring high indoor air quality. The project also takes into account resilience to future climate changes, including strong winds and heavy rainfall. Relocating technical equipment to underground areas has allowed the rooftops to be organized and treated as the buildings’ “fifth façade.” The development is also complemented by smart solutions supporting the optimization of operating costs.
WITA is designed to function not only as an office address, but as an environment that facilitates everyday life for people working, living, and spending time in this part of Kraków. The project will include a fitness center, a medical clinic, and dining and service units on the ground floors, connected by a tree-lined pedestrian avenue open to the city. The development will also feature approximately 7,000 sqm of fortress greenery and other native plant species, as well as around 150 new trees.
About Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH)
Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) is a global financial services firm known for premium service and specialist expertise. For over 200 years, we have partnered with clients to navigate complexity, innovate with purpose, and succeed in evolving financial markets.
Our 6,000 employees serve clients and their investments in over 90 markets from 18 offices worldwide. As a private partnership, we are uniquely built to put clients first – and deliver success that lasts.
BBH Investor Services is a leading provider of asset servicing and operating model solutions to global asset managers and financial institutions. Asset servicing solutions include custody, global tax services, depositary and trustee, accounting, administration, and transfer agency. Operating model solutions solve platform, data, and connectivity challenges across open-architecture operating models. We support clients’ growth, operational efficiency and resiliency, and streamline reporting and oversight.
