Germany to open new Brothel before World Cup

Organizers of what they claim will be

Germany's largest brothel on Thursday unveiled the building,

which is set to open in time for the 2006 World Cup soccer

tournament.

The Artemis brothel near the Olympic Stadium is a

four-story building with a pool, sauna and movie theater will

accommodate up to 650 men and 100 women at any one time, said

Norman Jacob, the lawyer representing its backers.

Germany legalized prostitution in 2003.

??The cleaner, the more transparent, the better,'' said

Norman Jacob. ??I think people will want to come here because

it has a very nice atmosphere.''

Jacob and investors, who are remaining anonymous, showed

onlookers some of the themed rooms, with titles like Toscana

and Cleopatra, each decorated and painted to reflect their

inspirations.

A circular stairway with bright red carpeting and

gold-colored railings that bisects the building will take

potential customers from the bottom-floor pool to the bar and

then up to the top floor and private rooms.

Jacob denied that the brothel was built to take advantage

of the crowds flooding Germany for next year's World Cup, to

be held in Germany. He said however that Artemis' location,

close to soccer stadiums, would be convenient for potential

customers.

??I think football and sex go together,'' he said, while

sitting on a velvet couch among frescoes of reclining Roman,

Greek and Persian woman in the building's main bar.

He said the women would pay a one-time euro70 (US$85) fee

and be allowed to occupy a room for up to three months.

During that time, each will be provided with free food and

gym access. Customers would pay an entrance fee but would

otherwise pay the women directly.

Jacob said the house of prostitution had received its

license in court and subsequently worked with the surrounding

neighborhood to address its concerns. ??We had to do this

step by step,'' he said, adding the establishment will not

serve alcohol to customers.

Source: AP