Andel’s Hotel Lódz, Polish Accommodation Building Project, Photo, Design Images

Andel’s Hotel Lodz, Poland

Polish Accommodation, eastern Europe design by OP ARCHITEKTEN with Jestico + Whiles

15 Feb 2010

Architect : OP ARCHITEKTEN

Design andel´s hotel in Converted Cotton Mill

photograph : Ales Jungmann

Andel’s Hotel Lódz

Lodz is central placed, second largest city in Poland, of which rapid growth began with development of industry in end of XIX century. Created in golden years of Lodz’s industrial era impressive building owned by textile magnate Izrael Poznanski was originally erected in 1878 as a spinning mill, part of a cotton factory complex.

photo : Ales Jungmann

Now, empty for decades cotton mill has been transformed into an extraordinary hotel with 278 designer rooms and suites, 3100 m² of conference space, ballroom for 800 people and fine-dining restaurants and bars with seats for more than 450 people.

photo : Ales Jungmann

Vienna based OP ARCHITEKTEN studio converted one of the architectural icons of the city of Lodz evoking in new project spirit of the big past time of the city called polish Manchester.

photo : Ales Jungmann

Clear architectural concept integrates the sophisticated 4 star hotel functions and arrange the discovering of 200 m long industrial building in an attractive and remarkable way. The atmosphere is crated by harmonious dialogue between historical aura and contemporary architecture. Great attention was paid to preserve as much as possible of original elements: internal bearing structure, cast-iron beams and pillars, steel-brick ceilings, structural walls and external façades.

photos © Ula Tarasiewicz_op architekten

The outstanding element in the silhouette of the building is glass box overpacking the swimming pool placed in a former fire water storage tank. The tank made 130 years ago in Manchester was placed in this polish factory as a part of sophisticated fire extinguishing system. Walking in the pool becomes en experience of feeling the spaces flowing into one another: skyline of the city, impressive redbrick scenography of the facades and a slight elegant new landscape of the roof. Under this slight element are placed: fitness and wellness center, event space and sun terraces from all sides of the building. Located on the 4th floor 1 300 m² ballroom, double floor high, fully customizable and acoustically separated from the rest of the building, is the largest that type in Poland.

photos : Ales Jungmann

Andel’s Hotel Lódz in former textile factory

Awarded in European Hotel Design Awards 2009 for Architecture of the Year – the best conversion and in 2010 Interior Design Awards in the category Adaptive Reuse

photo © Wojciech Poplawski_op architekten

Brief history
The impressive weaving mill building was originally established in 1878 as part of a cotton factory complex. Designed in golden years of Lódz industrial era by famous architect Hilary Majewski and owned by textile magnate Izrael Pozna?ski, quickly became one of the most characteristic monuments of the city – the statue of “promised land”, as industrial Lódz used to be called.

Due to subsequent turn of historical events, the building was forgotten and covered by the dust of history for many years. In 2007 – 2009 the former cotton mill has been transformed into a sophisticated hotel by Vienna based OP ARCHITEKTEN studio. It includes 278 designer style rooms and suites, 3,100 sq m of conference space, ballroom for 800 people and fine-dining restaurants and bars with seats for more than 450 people, swimming pool and wellness center.

photos © wallpxotex_op architekten

About Lódz

Lódz has about 800,000 inhabitants and is second largest city in Poland. The city’s rapid growth began with development of industry in early 1900’s. Lódz, also known as Polish Manchester became promised land for all immigrants and settlers, attracted by the legend of Izrael Poznanski and other textile magnates. Nowadays, Lódz, considered by David Lynch one of the most inspiring places all over the world, faces an enormous challenge connected to adaptation of its postindustrial pedigree into modern, cultural and business oriented center. Described here revitalization of an old textile factory is clearly a step in this direction.

photos : Ales Jungmann

Modern and historical architecture in harmonious dialogue
OP ARCHITEKTEN completely redesigned the roof area, proposing wellness center, event space and sun terrace. A lot of glass elements and skylights ensure that public space, including four-level atrium is properly lit by the great amount of natural light. Located on the roof of the building 1,300 sqm big ballroom is one of the largest hotel halls in Poland. To meet the needs of various occupants the place is fully customizable and acoustically separated from the rest of the building.

The most characteristic element of the roof area is a unique glass-enclosed pool, placed in a former fire water tank. The tank, made 130 years ago in Manchester, was placed in this Polish factory as a part of sophisticated fire safety system. Its unusual location allows for exceptional experience of the flow of spaces, where pool-area ties together with the skyline of the city, impressive red-brick scenography of the façades and the elegant new landscape of the roof.

photos © wallpxotex_op architekten

The idea behind modern elements was to restrain them in their very basic function, so they do not interfere with industrial fabric but create harmonious dialogue between historical aura and modern contemporary architecture. It was important to ensure that converted areas are hospitable and human-oriented without losing the experience of the very essence of its historical context. Great attention was paid to preserving and restoring as much as possible of original industrial architecture. Structural elements such as red-brick façade, internal bearing structure, steel-brick ceilings, cast-iron beams and pillars were fully restored during renovation.

Andel’s Hotel Lódz Building : further information

Andel’s Hotel Lódz Poland images / information from OP ARCHITEKTEN

Jestico + Whiles

Location: Lódz, Poland