The Polish subsidiary of Austria’s Strabag has won a €135m contract for the first phase of a project to convert the former Wieczorek coal mine in Katowice, southern Poland, into a sustainable technology hub.

The 100-year-old mine will have its buildings restored to accommodate laboratories and demonstration areas, while a public park, cultural areas and restaurants will be added.

Part of an initiative to diversify Katowice from an industrial town into a modern business district, the hub will host educational programmes in cooperation with regional institutions.

Developers hope to attract technology companies, particularly in the fields of AI and e-sports.

“As part of our Strategy 2030, we are specifically focusing on future fields such as reconstruction, conversion and refurbishment, as well as technological leadership,” said Strabag’s chief executive Stefan Kratochwill.

The project is due to be completed in 2028.