Placemaking Project by Csaba Toth, VP of Real Estate Asset Management at BALFIN Group
NAME OF PROJECT: Tirana East Gate (TEG)
DEVELOPER: Balfin Group / Acrem
OWNER: Balfin Group
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: With a projection of 17,680 sq m of new retail and entertainment space, 42+ global brands, 3,000 sq m of green areas, TEG is becoming an icon of transformation. TEG, Albania’s premier shopping destination, has announced a transformative expansion that promises to elevate the retail and leisure experience. This is the second major expansion since the center’s opening.
Bigger. Bolder. Better: TEG’s 2nd Expansion Reinvents the Shopping Experience in Southeast Europe
Tirana East Gate (TEG) has announced a transformative expansion that is not only reshaping the skyline of the industry, but also redefining what a modern shopping center can offer in terms of international appeal, shopping offer, environmental responsibility, and experiential design.
Strategically located on the Tirana–Elbasan highway, TEG has long been a commercial hub in the region. Developed by Balfin Group and managed by ACREM (part of BALFIN Group), one of the most significant investment groups in the Balkan and beyond, the shopping center has attracted more than 10 million visitors annually since its inauguration and is currently home to a wide range of international retailers and exclusive brands across fashion, personal care, entertainment, and gastronomy.
Bigger Spaces, Global Brands, Elevated Experiences
This latest development is set to introduce over 42 new international brands, including globally renowned names such as Oysho, KIKO Milano, XYZ, Calvin Klein, Intimissimi, Lacoste, Gant, Shoe Zen, etc. These additions will further establish TEG as a top-tier destination for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, attracting more local shoppers and international tourists.
Expansion includes a two-story northwest extension spanning 16,080 sq m. This wing will house new commercial units, a premium restaurant block with a covered terrace, and the largest indoor entertainment hall in the country, measuring over 8,000 sq m.
In addition, a southwest extension will add another 1,600 sq m of retail space, while improved infrastructure will offer a three-story parking facility, alongside 4,600 sq m of expanded outdoor parking.
Architectural Innovation Meets Smart Design & Sustainable Vision
One of the expansion’s most notable features is its commitment to green and recreational space, with more than 3,000 sq m dedicated to nature, including a green terrace designed to enhance air quality, biodiversity, and noise reduction. This approach to ecological design has increasingly become a staple feature of BALFIN Group’s projects—its apparent commitment to the global movement for sustainable urban development.
The architectural concept embraces innovation with a focus on energy efficiency and ecological responsibility. The construction project features the use of perforated aluminum panels for natural lighting and ventilation, which should significantly reduce energy consumption and support environmentally conscious operations.
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