Manufaktura in May
On the 27-hectare site the French company Apsys, plans to locate an art gallery, a science and technology museum for children, a factory museum, and a 30,000-sqm market square, which Łódź has never had. The square will be surrounded by 50 stores, and a two-storey disco and night club. The center's total retail area will amount to 95,000 sqm. The two-floor shopping mall will house 206 boutiques and 37 mid-size shops. Major tenants include Geant and Leroy Merlin.
Apsys took inspiration for its plans from inner-city revitalization projects such as the Vitra Design Museum in Berlin, built in place of a transformer station, a hotel in Wasserturm built on the site of a water tower, and Hamburg's Stilwerk, an artist's gallery in a former fish market.
Izrael Poznański was the cotton king of Łódź in the 19th century. The factory complex consists of 12 buildings and an entrance gate. It was among several cotton plants built at a time of intensive industrial development in Łódź. Although this industrial boom contributed to the city's historical wealth, since the war the post-industrial dereliction has discouraged tourists and investors. Apart from the Poznański plant, the Scheiber complex is being turned into a modern housing development with accommodation inspired by London loft apartments.
Manufaktura is located five minutes' walk from Łódź's famous ul. Piotrkowska. This has sparked fears that it could be a threat to the viability of the historic trading street. According to the Ulica Piotrkowska Foundation, Manufaktura could lead to the decline of the street, if shoppers and retailers favor the new development. Indeed, some shopkeepers are already moving to Manufaktura. However, ul. Piotrkowska supporters believe that people will still be attracted to the street due to its atmosphere, which Manufaktura will not be able to take away.
The opening of Manufaktura is set for May 17. The investor in the EUR 200-million project, Apsys Group, also built Centru Janki in Warsaw, Fonciere Euris, and Paris Orleans.
