Strefa Biznesu: ‘Life above the city. A new definition of luxury in Wrocław’

In the very heart of Wrocław, a project has been developed that goes beyond the traditional understanding of luxury residential living. The Upper House by Angel, together with its unique collection of penthouses – the Sky Residence Collection by The Upper House – is the realisation of Angel Poland Group’s vision of a ‘residential urban resort’. It is a concept that redefines the standard of urban living, combining the privacy of a private apartment with the quality and amenities associated with five-star hotels. It is undoubtedly a unique development in Wrocław, creating a new lifestyle in the city. But is Wrocław ready for this? We discuss this with Tomasz Karpiel, COO of Angel Poland Group.

 

Wrocław has been one of the most dynamically developing cities in Poland for years. Do you see a change in how the premium property segment is defined there today?

Tomasz Karpiel: Definitely yes, and I would say it is a fundamental change. Until recently, we were mainly talking about standard, location or floor area. Today, these elements are a starting point, rather than an end in themselves. The market is maturing, and with it, so are customers’ expectations. More and more people are reaching a stage where they stop looking for a better flat and start looking for quality of life. That’s a completely different conversation. Sky Residence Collection by The Upper House is the response to precisely this change.

What does this mean in practice for an investor or a future resident?

Tomasz Karpiel: It means a change of perspective. Property is no longer merely a place to live or an investment. It becomes a space that genuinely influences everyday life, comfort, peace of mind and the way we live. That is why we talk about living above the city. This is not just a metaphor. It is a very tangible experience: more light, more space, more privacy, whilst still having full access to everything the city has to offer.

 

You refer to the Sky Residence Collection by The Upper House as a ‘collection’ rather than a ‘range’. Why did you make that decision?

Tomasz Karpiel: Because that best captures the nature of this project. This is not a mass-produced product. It is a limited collection of penthouses, each with its own identity. We can clearly see that premium clients are increasingly seeking uniqueness. They don’t want things that can be easily replicated or copied. They want spaces that have character and which help shape their individual story. The Sky Residence Collection by The Upper House was created out of a need to own something exceptional, not just something of high quality.

 

So what exactly is a penthouse today?

Tomasz Karpiel: The penthouse has undergone a huge evolution. It used to be simply the top-floor flat in a building. Today, that’s definitely not enough. In our approach, the penthouse becomes a symbol of status, but also a conscious lifestyle choice. We’ve created this collection with meticulous attention to the smallest details. When the designers at Angel Poland set about creating it, they wanted to craft a space that not only offers room, but also heightens emotions, stimulates the senses, and provides a sense of lightness, freedom, tranquillity, light and boundless peace. This is how the names were born – a language of the senses, created especially for The Upper House by Angel: Lumira, Serenit, Horizma, Nubea and Azuris. Each one tells its own story: from the monumental, multi-level Horizma with panoramic views in three directions, through the light-drenched Lumira, to the subtle Nubea, suspended between sky and water. Our penthouses are spaces that offer a sense of independence and distance, whilst at the same time allowing you to be at the centre of it all. You could say that it is no longer a question of height, but of the quality of the experience.

 

What makes The Upper House by Angel stand out from other developments in Wrocław?

Tomasz Karpiel: First and foremost, the coherence of the concept. This is a project that was conceived as a whole right from the start. Not just as a building, but as a living environment. We have unique features here, such as a spa area, a sauna complex, a fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment, and a 25-metre swimming pool – the only one of this size in a residential building in Wrocław. Added to this are a co-working space, a kids’ club, and areas for socialising and relaxation. But the location is just as important. The proximity to the River Oława gives a sense of breathing space and connection with nature, whilst at the same time we are right in the heart of the city. It’s a combination that is, in practice, very difficult to replicate.

 

Do investors really pay attention to factors such as lifestyle and experience these days?

Tomasz Karpiel: Increasingly so, and this is one of the most significant trends we are observing. Investors today think long-term. They are looking for projects that will not only be attractive today, but will also retain their value in the future. And it is precisely the uniqueness, quality and context of a location that determine whether a given property will be resilient to market changes. The Upper House by Angel, with its unique collection of penthouses, fits perfectly with this way of thinking. It is a limited-edition development, difficult to replicate and set in an exceptional location. These are the qualities that will always underpin its value.

 

What role does Wrocław itself play in all this?

Tomasz Karpiel: A key one. Wrocław is now one of the most attractive cities in Poland in which to live and invest. It has a strong economy, attracts international companies and specialists, whilst maintaining a high quality of life. In my view, it is an ambitious city, but also a very people-centred one. And that is precisely why it is ready for projects such as The Upper House. What’s more, we are seeing growing interest from investors outside Wrocław, and even from abroad. This shows that the city is perceived as a stable and promising place to invest capital.

 

Would you say that the Sky Residence Collection by The Upper House is setting a new direction for the market?

Tomasz Karpiel: I think so, because every market needs projects that push boundaries and redefine standards. The Sky Residence Collection by The Upper House isn’t a response to an existing trend; rather, it sets the trend, so to speak. It shows that it’s possible to think about property differently: more consciously, with a greater focus on quality, and with a longer-term perspective.

Finally, what does ‘living above the city’ mean to you personally?

Tomasz Karpiel: It’s that moment when, on returning home, we truly disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the day. It’s a space that offers peace, but also inspires. It’s the feeling that we’re exactly where we want to be.

 

And a penthouse?

Tomasz Karpiel: These days, a penthouse isn’t just the highest point in a building. It’s the highest standard of living.