The Fabrica de Glucoză Area: from the 1902 Factory to a Corner of the North Between Lake, Airfield and Offices

The Fabrica de Glucoză area is in the north of Bucharest, around Șoseaua Fabrica de Glucoză (literally “Glucose Factory Road”), near Bulevardul Barbu Văcărescu and the former Pipera airfield. The name stayed on the map after the factory disappeared, and a road and a street bear it today.

Where the name comes from

The Glucose Factory (Fabrica de Glucoză) was built in 1902, after about ten years of work, with Belgian capital. It produced glucose and alcohol, on what is now Bulevardul Barbu Văcărescu, near the bridge over Lake Colentina. The factory closed in 1987, and its history has a separate page in the guide. There is also a legend about the closure, unproven: Nicolae Ceaușescu was supposedly bothered by the smell, because he lived in the Primăverii area.

How the area has changed

In 1991, the complex was bought by Ion Lazăr, through the Adevărul publishing house (Editura Adevărul). The Caro Club Hotel now operates on about five hectares. At the intersection of Bulevardul Barbu Văcărescu with Strada Fabrica de Glucoză, the press in 2011 described the Lakeview office building, one of those that turned the boulevard into a financial center in the making.

Nearby was the Pipera airfield, founded in 1915 and closed in 1958, according to Wikipedia. Since 2006, the Romanian National Aviation Museum (Muzeul Național al Aviației Române) has operated in hangars on the southern side of the former airfield, according to the Romanian Air Force website.

What is planned for the roads

The Bucharest City Hall launched a tender for modernizing the Dimitrie Pompeiu area, with widening the boulevard to two lanes in each direction, extending the tram infrastructure with a link toward Barbu Văcărescu, and a new road between Șoseaua Pipera, Dimitrie Pompeiu and the Fabrica de Glucoză area. The article we read has no clear date. The status of the works needs to be checked with the City Hall.

Transport

Aurel Vlaicu metro station, on line M2, is close to the Nusco Tower building, on Bulevardul Barbu Văcărescu. Pipera station is the northern terminus of line M2, opened in October 1987.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called Fabrica de Glucoză?

After the glucose and alcohol factory built in 1902 on the shore of Lake Colentina. The factory no longer exists; a hotel complex operates on its site.

What museum is on Șoseaua Fabrica de Glucoză?

The Romanian National Aviation Museum, in the hangars of the former Pipera airfield, where it has operated since 2006. According to the Romanian Air Force website, the museum is under rehabilitation; check whether it is open before a visit.

Where is the metro?

At Pipera station, on M2, or at Aurel Vlaicu station, close to Bulevardul Barbu Văcărescu.