Central Department Store in Warsaw

The Central Department Store (CDT), also known as Cedet after its reconstruction, is an icon of post-war modernist architecture in Warsaw. It was designed by Zbigniew Ihnatowicz and Jerzy Romański between 1947 and 1948, and opened on July 22, 1951. The building, consisting of three distinct blocks, stood out for its modern features, such as an underground garage, well-lit interiors with large oak-framed windows, and the installation of escalators—the second of their kind in Warsaw. Their original design and the fully glazed facade were innovative approaches to functionality at the time. The serpentine-shaped neon sign with the letters "CDT," designed in 1956, became a visual icon on the building's facade. In the 1960s, CDT was the largest store in Warsaw, employing around 2,000 people. In popular culture, the building was immortalized in Leopold Tyrmand's novel *Zły* and in films such as *Lekarstwo na miłość* (Cure for Love) and *Ósmy dzień tygodnia* (The Eighth Day of the Week). In 1975, the building was severely damaged by a fire, leading to significant architectural changes. During reconstruction, the facade was simplified, and some original decorative details were omitted. In 2000, part of the building was converted into the "Smyk" Department Store, specializing in children's products. In 2014, a major reconstruction began to transform it into an office building, a move criticized by architecture enthusiasts, although the heritage conservator approved the demolition, recognizing only the preserved structure facing Jerusalem Avenue as the original fragment. The new Cedet, completed in May 2018, combines modern office spaces with retail areas. Its history and architectural evolution make it a significant reference point in the context of Warsaw's development and 20th-century Polish architecture.