In Łódź, in the former industrial complex of Izrael Poznański, the new entertainment, cultural and shopping center Manufaktura, created by Apsys company, is under construction.

Nicolas Roques, head of marketing for Manufaktura, talks to Maria Sondej.

How did Apsys come to Poland?
Apsys is a French company that entered the Polish market in 1997 as an investor, developer and shopping center manager. Now we manage 15 sites in Poland, and run seven investment projects in France. However, Manufaktura in Łódź is our biggest project. It occupies an area of 27 hectares, the former property of a factory owner from Łódź. In 13 historic factory halls there will be, among others, a luxury hotel with 200 rooms, and additional building for the Łódź National Museum of Art. We also plan an interactive museum for children and a multi-function hall of 1,200 sq m. There will be a 15-screen cinema for 2,500 people, including Łódź's first Imax 3-D. There will be a bowling alley, a club, a concert venue, and 20 restaurants. A large shopping center (95,000 sq m) will be built, with a two-story central section. Some 50 companies will open their first outlets in Łódź. We have signed contracts with over 85 percent of our future tenants.

What is your biggest source of pride?
The renovation of 40,000 sq m of historic facades. This is proof of our respect for this site. Red brick buildings create the structure's identity, although only the walls remain of the former factory halls. I am sure that its unique atmosphere will also be enhanced by the three-hectare market square in its central area, a kind of a public square on which social gatherings and various cultural events can take place. A special narrow-gauge railway will transport people through the center of this area.
Our offer will be so attractive for clients that they will come back. Our slogan is: Do today what everyone will be doing tomorrow.

Where did the name Manufaktura come from?
It was proposed by the students of Łódź University, and we liked it a lot. This word does not have to be translated because it is understandable everywhere. Besides, it is not used in everyday life, so no one will confuse it with anything. Moreover, it refers to the location's history. We want to highlight this history, hence the idea for a museum on the site that will be created here. There is already a display of photographs, charts and objects that tell about life in the former Poznański factory. The proximity of the palace of the former factory owner, which holds a museum devoted to Łódź, helps create its atmosphere.

Manufaktura will be open seven days a week and it should be active 24 hours a day. We assume that every week at least 300,000 guests will visit. The place will come alive. The opening is in September 2005.