Apsys investing $200 mn. in Lodz mixed-use facility

The French company Apsys has announced plans to construct a mixed use retail-recreation facility Nowy Swiat (New World) Center in Lodz, remodeling the buildings of the legendary old factory which was once the property of Izrael Poznanski. The property has belonged to the French investment and development company since 1998. Plans call for the construction of new buildings, but also the modernization of the historic structures. Project director Jean Yves Ebel announced that there would be numerous shops, a 200-room hotel, a 16-theater cinema, a bowling-alley, a food court of restaurants offering international cuisine, fitness club, swimming pool, and discos. According to Apsys representatives, construction of Nowy Swiat Center will be among the biggest architectonic undertakings in Central Europe as a whole. Apsys Polska plan to complete all administrative and legal procedures by the end of this year, with construction to be completed within 2 years, opening by the end of the year 2003. The investors revealed that the total cost of investment will probably exceed $200 million. Apsys Polska is to invest half of the sum, with the the rest to be provided by the facility's future tenants.(Puls Biznesu, p.16) A.D.