The adaptation problem of underground buildings, often significantly neglected, located in compact urban development was presented in the paper. The problem was discussed using the example of a depleted and damaged coal bunker facility in a state of emergency. The underground structure is a part of the multi-story building of the Jowita dormitory in Poznan at Zwierzyniecka Street. The structure discussed in the paper is a reinforced concrete monolithic construction with a slab-and-beam ceiling supported peripherally on exterior retaining walls and interior columns. It is worth to mentioned, that the ceiling of the coal bunker is also an access road to the adjacent building. The floor slab has unprotected filling holes and an unprotected transverse expansion joint, which contributed significantly to the resulting damage to the reinforced concrete structure. Despite the fact that the bunker has been taken out of service, the restoration of its technical condition is important for the safety of the building to which it belongs. In the process of planning the necessary renovation and strengthening works, the idea of adapting the object for new purposes arose. The condition studies described in the paper, as well as the static-strength analysis, made it possible to propose methods for protecting or strengthening the structure.