Monopolis

Monopolis is a former vodka distillery on ul. Kopcińskiego in Łódź, rebuilt as a multifunctional complex with offices, restaurants, an art gallery, a museum and a theatre. Historic brick halls erected for the Russian Treasury Ministry today house the business and cultural quarters of the city.

Factory of the Russian spirit monopoly

The complex was built in 1896–1902 according to a design by Franciszek Chełmiński, in the neogothic style, for the needs of the Russian Treasury Ministry. From 1902 to 2007, an alcohol distillery operated here, periodically also producing tobacco products, which for over a hundred years bound this place to a single, strictly state-controlled industry.

Revitalisation and MIPIM award

The site was purchased in 2013 by Virako, a company belonging to Krzysztof Witkowski, and the rebuild was completed in 2020. In the same year, Monopolis won the MIPIM Awards for the world's best multifunctional investment, placing the Łódź project alongside other major post-industrial revitalisation schemes worldwide.

What the complex houses today

In the former factory halls today operate offices, Italian, Japanese and Mediterranean restaurants, the ARTgallery art gallery, the Monopolis Stage theatre venue, a swimming pool and gym, and Monosfera, a children's entertainment centre. This mix of office, catering, cultural and recreational functions means the complex is in use all day, outside office hours too. There is also a museum devoted to the history of vodka production at this location, recalling the original purpose of the buildings.

Another example of Łódź revitalisation

A similar transformation from factory to business-cultural space has taken place in Łódź at Fabryka Israela Poznańskiego, which today houses, among other things, a branch of Museum of Art (ms2).

Practical information

• Address: ul. Dr. Stefana Kopcińskiego 60/62, Łódź.
• Getting there: by car, parking available on the complex grounds.
• What to expect: offices and catering outlets are accessible to visitors; opening hours of individual venues vary, it is worth checking them separately before your visit.