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THE LATEST PLACEMAKING NEWS

Credit: © Westfield Donau Zentrum

50 Years of Westfield Donau Zentrum in Vienna: A Milestone Shaping the Future of Urban Retail

Vienna’s Westfield Donau Zentrum is celebrating its 50th anniversary under the motto “50 Years of Future – Shaping the Shopping Experience of Tomorrow.” Austria’s largest shopping and leisure destination is not only looking back at five decades of transformation but also forward, with a clear focus on innovation, sustainability, and urban quality of life.

Image credit: MPC Properties /// Portrait credit: Miomir Milic

GREEN CONSTRUCTION, HEALTHY SPACES: MPC PROPERTIES’ SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY

From pioneering Serbia’s first LEED-certified shopping center to installing solar plants and creating rooftop gardens, MPC Properties is setting new benchmarks in sustainable real estate. This exclusive article by Slobodan Cupać, Head of Technical Operation and Facility Management, reveals how green construction, energy efficiency, and community engagement are shaping a healthier, more resilient future.

Credit: HyperIn

FROM EXPERIENCES TO INSIGHTS, FROM INSIGHTS TO GROWTH: THE MODERNCRE ALGORITHM

Commercial advantage belongs to those who move with insight, not instinct: As much of Europe’s real estate market cools, the Nordics are bucking the trend, driving growth not through location alone, but by redefining value around experience, insight, and resilience. A new framework, the “Modern CRE Algorithm”, shows how smartly designed tenant experiences and data-driven intelligence are turning properties into thriving ecosystems.

Credit /// Left: ambas; Right: Union Investment

M&A, EXPANSION, AND RESILIENCE: THE FORCES SHAPING EUROPE’S SHOPPING DESTINATIONS

In the retail real estate sector, bold moves are reshaping the European landscape. Recent landmark transactions, including FREY/ROS, Sonae Sierra, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, signal the start of a new investment cycle. At the same time, several companies are embarking on remarkable expansion journeys, positioning themselves for long-term growth. In this interview, Steffen Hofmann, Managing Partner at ambas, explains why now is the right moment to “think big”, what drives corporate M&A strategies in retail, and how these shifts are redefining market opportunities across Europe.

Credit: Redevco

Redevco Closes Second Loan Investment Providing a €67m Facility to Support 2 German Logistics Developments

Redevco, one of Europe’s largest privately owned real estate managers, has completed its second loan investment, underscoring the growing momentum for its real estate debt business just six months after closing its debut deal. The €67 million loan will fund the acquisition and development of two Class A Mid-Box Logistics projects in Frankfurt and Karlsruhe, with a combined area of 63,000 sqm, by the Invesco Real Estate and Propel Industrial joint venture.

CC REAL’S GASTRONOMY STRATEGY: “HANDS-ON MANAGEMENT INSTEAD OF STANDARD SOLUTIONS”

Gastronomy is no longer just a side element, but a key factor for the attractiveness and dwell time of shopping centers. At CC Real, F&B, therefore, has a permanent place in the expansion and repositioning strategy. Why culinary diversity is a matter for top management, which trends they consistently embrace, and why courage, hands-on management, and individual concepts make the difference: Those are the topics discussed by Markus Brugger, Managing Director Asset Management, and Sorin Scurtu, Executive Director Leasing. Despite their enthusiasm for gastronomy, the managers have a clear message: Well-executed gastronomy is a differentiating factor, but not a universal remedy.

Credit: Kering

KERING AND L’ORÉAL FORGE AN ALLIANCE IN BEAUTY AND WELLNESS

Kering and L’Oréal announced today that they are entering a long-term strategic partnership in luxury beauty and wellness. This binding agreement encompasses the acquisition of the House of Creed by L’Oréal, the beauty and fragrance licenses of iconic Houses of Kering and an exclusive venture to explore business opportunities in the field of wellness and longevity.

Credit: Prague City Tourism

PALLADIUM Shopping Center to be acquired by Reico

Part of the Austria based Erste Group, REICO is soon to acquire PALLADIUM Prague shopping center, in Prague, Czech Republic. As of today, the value of the transaction has not been revealed, and the transaction is currently being assessed by the Office for the Protection of Competition (UOHS).

Credit: ROS

THE RISE OF THE VILLAGE-STYLE OUTLET

Designer outlet shopping is no longer considered a niche retail format. It has become a resilient growth story within the global retail real estate sector. Combining premium brands with guaranteed year-round value – outlets typically offer 30–70% savings on merchandise – drawing in shoppers who are increasingly value-conscious but still aspire to purchase luxury and lifestyle labels.

Property Investment Market in Poland

Investment market results in Poland for Q1-Q3 2025 reflect stable market condition, with year-to-date volume aligning closely with the Q1-Q3 2024 results. By the end of September, the Polish investment market reached a total volume of €2.6 billion within 105 transactions, indicating increased liquidity. Polish capital continues to gain momentum, capitalizing on attractive pricing opportunities. In contrast, core capital remains cautious, with only two transactions exceeding the €100 million mark.

Credit: ACREM

Shaping Retail in Albania: QTU Celebrates 20th Anniversary

QTU, Albania’s first shopping center, marks its 20th anniversary – celebrating two decades of redefining retail, leisure, and family experiences. The milestone highlights a story of innovation, customer loyalty, and strong emotional connection. Its month-long anniversary campaign drew record footfall and reinforced QTU’s position as Albania’s most established and future-ready shopping destination.

Credit: Daniel Bointner

“RIGHTSIZING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN UPSIZING”

With new international brand partners, a clear focus on sustainability, and high levels of investment, Designer Outlet Parndorf continues to assert itself as one of Europe’s leading shopping destinations. General Manager Mario Schwann, in an in-depth interview, discusses the success factors behind events such as the recent Late Night Shopping, the growing importance of tourism and gastronomy, and why “rightsizing” is sometimes more critical than larger store spaces.

Credit: CEEPlay

DESIGNING PLAYFUL LANDMARKS AND TRANSFORMATIVE PUBLIC SPACES

Ibrahim Eker is the founder of CEEPlay, a company that has become known across Europe and beyond for its unique realizations of placemaking through innovative, architectural playgrounds. Collaborating closely with Carve, a design studio that is world-renowned for its groundbreaking work, CEEPlay has turned children’s playgrounds and public spaces into eye-catching landmarks that stimulate not only children, but the communities around them. In this in-depth conversation, he reflects on his journey, his design philosophy, the impact of play on urban environments, and the future of public space.

Credit: Giftify

Top 5 Gift Card Trends

How a simple plastic rectangle became a trillion-dollar industry — and what comes next.

Credit: Alkaş & HAN Spaces

“TÜRKIYE’S RETAIL REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK FOR 2025”

The retail market in Türkiye is undergoing radical change: There are fewer but stronger new store openings, record rents in Istanbul’s prime locations, and global brands positioning themselves alongside ambitious Turkish players expanding abroad. With steady demand fueled by tourism and projects such as Florentia Village and Tersane İstanbul redefining urban destinations, 2025 has been all about selective growth, seamless customer touchpoints, and retail at the heart of city life.

Credit: Aldi Nord

Aldi Nord welcomes New CEO

After 28 years in the service of Aldi Nord, Torsten Hufnagel steps down as CEO and will be leaving on 31 December 2025, naming Nicolás de Lope as new leader for the group.