The Tax Office Building in Katowice

The Tax Office Building in Katowice, known as the "Drapacz Chmur" (Skyscraper), is a seventeen-story high-rise that has become one of the most iconic examples of functionalism in Poland. It was constructed during the interwar period, between 1930 and 1934, based on a design by the construction bureau of the Public Works Department of the Silesian Voivodeship Office, with engineer Henryk Griffel as the construction manager. The building features a steel frame structure, which was an innovative solution at the time. It was erected on a site where plots were inexpensive and geologically suitable, which was crucial due to the proximity of mining operations. The building was divided into two sections: one housing tax offices and the other containing luxurious apartments for officials. During its construction, particular attention was paid to the functionality of the structure, including the design of elevators that provided convenient access between floors. The residential section offered spacious living areas, which attracted treasury employees. The Skyscraper was the second high-rise built in Katowice and one of the tallest buildings in Poland at the time of its completion. In 1931, a documentary about iron-frame construction, focusing on the Katowice skyscraper, premiered at the "Rialto" cinema in Katowice. Today, the building is regarded as a symbol of Katowice's architectural heritage and an important element in the history of this region of Poland.