Whirlpool Corporation, the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, has signed a lease agreement for 5,600 sqm in the Nowa Fabryczna office building in Łódź. The company will launch its Whirlpool Shared Services Centre, providing services for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Region. Experts from JLL advised Whirlpool on the processes of establishing a long-term lease strategy, selecting a convenient location and determining the lease's terms and conditions. The new office will start to be occupied since beginning of July.
After a thorough analysis of our financial operations, we decided that business efficiency would be improved by consolidating all our processes in one location. We selected Łódź due to its workforce potential, a friendly climate for investment from the business services industry as well as the availability of high class offices, which proved to be unbeatable. The recruitment of employees is already in good progress, comments Andrea Marciandi, Whirlpool EMEA Shared Services Director.
Nowa Fabryczna is the first commercial building to be developed in Nowe Centrum Łodzi, in the very heart of one of Europe's most spectacular city-forming initiatives. The complex is located in the vicinity of Dworzec Łódź Fabryczna railway station, one of the biggest railway stations in Poland. In total, Nowa Fabryczna will offer approx. 21,500 sqm of leasable space located on seven floors above ground. Furthermore, tenants will also have underground parking with 210 parking places at their disposal.
We were the first to believe in Nowe Centrum Łodzi. Our project confirmed the business attractiveness of this location and launching co-operation with such a renowned tenant as Whirlpool was 'the cherry on the cake'. Nowa Fabryczna will be delivered to market this year and will be another example of an office building developed by Skanska which is almost fully leased before its scheduled completion. Ultimately, it will play host to up to 2,000 specialists. In addition, thanks to an open and publicly available patio, neighbors and residents will be able to use the building's surroundings, comments Ewelina Kałużna, Leasing and Asset Management Director at Skanska Property Poland. This is the second office project developed by Skanska in Łódź, following the leased and successfully sold Green Horizon. We will also begin construction of Brama Miasta, another building in Nowe Centrum Łodzi, adds Ewelina Kałużna.
The building will be delivered to market in H2 2017 and will be LEED Gold certified.
Whirlpool's relocation of operations to Łódź is yet more proof that the city has enhanced its position as a significant centre in Poland's business services sector.
Whirlpool selected Łódź from other locations in Poland for its Shared Services Centre. I am very satisfied with the co-operation between our two companies and am sure that our client has selected the best solution possible. The new office will fulfill all of the requirements of such a dynamic business and will provide Whirlpool with the opportunity for long-term development, says Karol Patynowski, Regional Markets Director at JLL.