ARP S.A. and PHH Sp. z o.o. join forces to restore Dom Marynarza to its former glory

The “Dom Marynarza” hotel building in Gdynia, one of the symbols of pre-war modernism on the Polish coast, has an opportunity to regain its former prestige and leisure function. Polish Hotel Holding Sp. z o.o., the Industrial Development Agency S.A. (ARP S.A.), the City of Gdynia and “Dom Marynarza” Sp. z o.o. have signed a letter of intent launching investment cooperation.

The partnership aimed at revitalizing “Dom Marynarza” will involve comprehensive business, legal and financial analyses designed to enable the expansion of the property and raise its operational standard while respecting its unique history. The initiative undertaken by ARP S.A., PHH Sp. z o.o. and the City of Gdynia responds to the urgent need to restore the property’s original historical, aesthetic and recreational qualities, in full alignment with the vision of the local authorities. Combining the commitment of the City of Gdynia, PHH’s hotel know-how and ARP S.A.’s strategic and financial capabilities creates an opportunity for “Dom Marynarza” to become a flagship example of successful revitalization of historic properties in Poland.

The signing ceremony was attended by Marek Zaleśny, Vice-President of the Management Board of the Industrial Development Agency S.A.; Piotr Pawłowski, President of the Management Board of “Dom Marynarza” Sp. z o.o.; Rafał Szmytke, President of the Management Board of Polish Hotel Holding Sp. z o.o.; and Tomasz Augustyniak, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia.

As a State Treasury-owned company specializing in supporting Polish businesses, the Industrial Development Agency S.A. will bring extensive experience in financing company growth and supporting restructuring processes to the project. ARP S.A.’s involvement will help ensure that the economic framework for the entire undertaking is prepared in a reliable and secure manner. PHH Sp. z o.o. and ARP S.A. have committed to cooperating in the areas of advisory services, supervision of individual stages of the modernization works and development of an optimal financial model. These activities will create synergies by combining state development capital with the operational and market experience of Polish Hotel Holding Sp. z o.o., which manages a diversified network of hotels across Poland – from economy properties to luxury hotels.

“The Industrial Development Agency’s involvement in the revitalization of ‘Dom Marynarza’ is an excellent example of how we fulfil our mission of supporting Polish entrepreneurship. We see considerable business potential here, as well as an opportunity to achieve synergies by combining our financial and restructuring expertise with the extensive operational experience of Polish Hotel Holding. Our goal is to create a profitable and modern business model for ‘Dom Marynarza’ that will enable the optimal use of its unique assets,” emphasized Marek Zaleśny, Vice-President of the Management Board of the Industrial Development Agency S.A.

Tomasz Augustyniak, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, noted that the city is celebrating a major anniversary this year.

“The nearly one-hundred-year-old Dom Marynarza building is part of the city’s history – a witness to the birth of modern Gdynia and a testament to its maritime identity. It is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive buildings in Gdynia and one of the symbols of our city, having served seafarers and their families for decades. I am pleased that we are beginning a process that will restore this exceptional place to its former glory and give it a new lease of life. I believe that, thanks to the cooperation between Polish Hotel Holding and the Industrial Development Agency, a place will be created that the people of Gdynia can be proud of for decades to come,” said Tomasz Augustyniak, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia.

Rafał Szmytke, President of the Management Board of Polish Hotel Holding Sp. z o.o., pointed out that the renovation of “Dom Marynarza” fits perfectly with the development strategy of Polish Hotel Holding.

“As a nationwide operator with extensive experience in managing a diverse range of properties, we bring unique operational and sector expertise to this project. Combining PHH’s potential, ARP’s stability and Gdynia’s distinctive identity creates a synergy that will make it possible to transform this historic building into a modern hotel meeting the contemporary needs of both business and tourism,” says Rafał Szmytke, President of the Management Board of Polish Hotel Holding.

The “Dom Marynarza” hotel building in Gdynia, located at 1 Marshal Józef Piłsudski Avenue, has a history dating back almost a century to 1928. Its modernist form was designed by Warsaw architect Adam Knauff. “Dom Marynarza” originally operated as an exclusive spa house and was one of the most luxurious hotels on the Baltic coast. It consisted of a hotel section with comfortable rooms and a modern bathing complex equipped with 26 bathtubs for therapeutic cold and warm seawater baths. The ground floor of the representative building housed a large restaurant, a ballroom and a billiards room.

In the following years, the building underwent several redevelopments. In 1952, it was transferred to Polish Ocean Lines and, following modernization and a partial redesign of its interiors, officially became known as “Dom Marynarza”. From that point on, it accommodated exclusively people professionally associated with the sea or Poland’s maritime industry. Seafarers’ families were also regular and special guests of the hotel, waiting there for the return of their husbands and fathers or saying goodbye to them before long voyages.

The Industrial Development Agency S.A. is a company wholly owned by the State Treasury, with 35 years of experience on the Polish market. It supports the development of domestic companies by financing investments and working capital, as well as assisting with restructuring processes. In its latest strategy for 2026–2030, ARP S.A. focuses, among other areas, on low-emission energy, space technologies, and investments in defence and dual-use technologies. The Agency holds assets in 69 companies, including majority stakes in 50 of them. It also supervises 109 companies with State Treasury shareholdings. The Agency manages two Special Economic Zones in south-eastern Poland – Mielec and Tarnobrzeg.

The PHH Group is a State Treasury-owned hotel group offering services across a diverse portfolio of properties – from economy hotels to prestigious properties in Poland’s largest cities and tourist destinations. PHH currently has 48 properties. The hotel group cooperates with leading global hotel chains, including Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, IHG and Accor.