Revitalised Industrial Architecture Becomes Design Hotel in Łódź, Poland

• Warimpex and Vienna International open andel’s design hotel in Łódź, Poland
• After Prague, Cracow and Berlin, fourth andel’s Hotel opens in Łódź
• Only 4-star hotel in Łódź (pop. 800,000)

Vienna/Łódź | The andel’s design hotel celebrated its festive grand opening in Łódź yesterday evening. After decades of standing empty, the former factory, a weaving mill established in 1878 by textile magnate Izrael Poznanski directly next to the Old Town, has been transformed into a shining example of how historic industrial architecture can blend with modern design. The 4-star hotel was built by the real estate firm Warimpex, listed on both the Vienna and Warsaw Stock Exchanges, and is under management by Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG.

Over the last two-and-a-half years, the Polish-Austrian architectural firm OP Architekten Ziviltechniker GmbH, led by Wojciech Poplawski, renovated the red-brick building in line with the guidelines governing the restoration of historic structures and oversaw its careful conversion into a modern 278-room hotel with a spacious conference centre. The interior design is the work of the London-based star designers Jestico + Whiles, who have succeeded in creating a highly atmospheric experience while maintaining the industrial character of the historic walls. The old pillars and beams were preserved, and the 100-year-old stairs and cast-iron gate were restored to their original splendour. At the same time, the new glass roof and the skylights make for optimally illuminated public spaces that comply with international standards. This blend of elements from the past and the present creates a harmonious dialogue between the historical aura of a cultural monument and the language of contemporary architecture.

“The andel’s Hotel challenged the technical and creative skill of our employees, architects and construction workers like never before. Thanks to the intense cooperation of all those involved, we succeeded in building Poland’s most outstanding design hotel in this red-brick building,” says Warimpex CEO Franz Jurkowitsch, reflecting proudly on his latest hotel property.

The andel’s Hotel

With its 278 rooms and suites and seven flexible conference rooms on a total space of 3,100 m², the andel’s Hotel is among Poland’s most modern city and business hotels. The event facilities also include the glass-enclosed 1,300 m² ballroom, one of the largest in all of Poland, on the roof of the new hotel. Thanks to a goods lift, large items such as pianos or even automobiles can be transported up to the event area. Guests are treated to special culinary creations at the hotel restaurant Delight, while small dishes, exquisite drinks or a cup of coffee can be had at Oscar’s Bar & Brasserie. Fantastic views over the city are available from the pool on the top floor of the hotel as well as from the 1,200 m² fitness and health club. The pool itself is a relic of past times, created out of a 19th century fire water storage tank.

Rudolf Tucek, CEO of Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG: “The fourth andel’s Hotel represents another pearl in our portfolio. The symbolic blend of old and new, in addition to the hotel’s outstanding conference and leisure options, come at the right time to serve the demand in this up-and-coming industrial city.”

The Industrial City of Łódź and Largest Revitalisation Project

The andel’s Hotel, located directly in the Manufaktura shopping, arts and cultural centre, is the only 4-star hotel in the industrial city of Łódź (population 800,000). In the past few years, Manufaktura has been Europe’s largest urban revitalisation project, receiving numerous awards in the process. The building has also served as a stage for many international films.

Fourth andel’s Hotel

Seven years after the opening of the first andel’s Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic, in the year 2002, guests can now choose from among four of the 4-star superior design hotels in three countries. The andel’s Hotel in Cracow, Poland, opened in 2007, the one in Berlin, Germany, opened just three months ago.

Warimpex and VI active in Poland since 1991

Wrimpex and Vienna International Hotelmanagement AG have been successfully active in Poland since 1991. In that year, Vienna International, itself only founded in 1989, took over management of the Hotel Amber Baltic in Międzyzdroje on Poland’s Amber Coast. This was followed by the Chopin Hotel in Cracow (2004), the Jan III Sobieski in Warsaw (2006), the andel’s Hotel in Cracow (2007) and the recently opened andel’s Hotel in Łódź. The newest Polish hotel project, the angelo Hotel in Katowice, is scheduled to open next year.

Elisabeth Scheiring, MSc
Head of Corporate Communications
(43) 1 - 333 73 73 - 35
Vienna House