A city inside a city
Some 150 years after being constructed by Israel Poznański, the Manufaktura complex was opened again last week following three years of renovation works. The 27,000 sqm of post-industrial wasteland has been transformed into a quality leisure and shopping facility. Prior to the revitalization process roughly 95 percent of Łódź's residents were in favor of the scheme.
"Looking at the majesty of the former Israel Poznański factory and its workers we saw that they deserved a project which would recapture its former greatness. Even though the times of the assembly line have passed, all of us can identify with the progress it represented. Poznański was ahead of his time. We wanted to meet the challenge," said Maurice Bansay, president of Apsys International at the opening ceremony.
Manufaktura contains a 3,000-sqm market square, one of the biggest in Poland, located in the center of Łódź along with cultural, entertainment and shopping venues, will be a meeting place of the inhabitants of Łódź, the second- largest city in Poland. The facility will eventually host over 300 brands, a 15-screen cinema, the Museum of Science and the Museum of Modern Art, a children's center, offices, a hotel and a conference center. The total space of the 13 buildings amounts to 90,000 sqm.
"When I first met Apsys representatives five years ago I didn't believe they would be able to create such a complex here, where the development of industrial Łódź began," says Krzysztof Makowski, Deputy Marshal of Łódzkie Voivoidship. "Now I hope that thanks to Manufaktura, the time of a joyous, colorful and smiling Łódź will begin. I am sure that not only the residents of Łódź will visit the venue, but also people from the neighboring voivodships," adds Makowski.
According to the investor, over 90 percent of the development is now ready. The remaining elements, including the Museum of Modern Art, a 150-room four-star hotel and some finishing touches, are scheduled for completion by the end of 2008. So far the investors, Apsys, Fonciere Euris and Paris Orleans, have invested some EUR 130 (zł.510) million, and another EUR 70 (zł.275) million is still planned. Thanks to the complex, 4,200 jobs have been created.
