With the official opening of the new WOOP! fun and leisure park at Center West Graz on 24 October, CC Real is setting new standards in family entertainment and destination development. Covering 5,800 square metres and backed by an investment of more than €5 million, the project marks the creation of Austria’s largest and most modern indoor fun park.
“Leisure and entertainment are key success factors for the future of modern shopping centre development,” says Roland Pinz, Managing Director at CC Real. “With projects such as Center West Graz, we aim to establish ourselves as a market leader in this segment, setting new benchmarks for experience-driven environments, visitor quality, and sustainable site development.”
WOOP! was founded in Slovenia in 2017 and currently operates four successful locations in its home market. Graz is the first property outside the domestic market and thus marks an important milestone in the company’s international expansion.
Investment in Experience, Diversity and Sustainability
The new fun park offers a wide range of interactive attractions – from trampolines, climbing walls and escape rooms to the HiT iT! Arena, interactive games, and a state-of-the-art bowling area with 14 lanes, LED screens, and special effects. The offer is complemented by two dining areas with terraces and tailor-made programmes for children’s birthday parties, groups, schools and corporate clients – including team-building activities, company events, and individually designed experiences.
“I am not aware of any other fun and leisure concept in Austria that combines so many attractions and opportunities in one place. This unique mix benefits both our customers and the entire region,” emphasizes Roland Pinz, Managing Director at CC Real. Anja Špindler, Managing Director of WOOP!, adds, “Today, entertainment means more than just watching – it’s about participating, experiencing and being together. We want to bring this spirit to Graz and beyond.”
Center West Graz – Successful Repositioning by CC Real
Since its opening in 1989, Center West Graz has been the city’s largest shopping center, offering 62,000 square meters of total space, more than 70 shops, and an impressive 97% occupancy rate. Anchor tenants include Interspar, Intersport, Smyths Toys, BabyOne, Müller, dm Drogeriemarkt, Sports Direct, Betten Reiter, Woolworth, H&M and Adler.
With over 4.6 million visitors per year, the center ranks among the most frequented retail properties in Styria. Alongside the new WOOP! Funpark, the leisure offer now also includes padel tennis, mini golf, and a McFit gym, further broadening its mix of sports and recreational facilities. The project was delivered in line with the highest sustainability standards and has been awarded the DGNB Platinum Certificate – a testament to CC Real’s commitment to developing properties that are ecologically, socially and economically sustainable. With the opening of the WOOP! Funpark, Center West Graz consolidates its position as the “place to be” for family entertainment in Graz and across Styria.
Leisure & Entertainment as a Strategic Growth Driver
Leisure and entertainment concepts are also a key strategic component at other CC Real developments across Europe. At several of the company’s managed or developed centers, leisure and gastronomy concepts already account for up to 30% of total floor space – and the trend is rising. This strong focus on experience-oriented offers increases dwell time, enhances the attractiveness of the centers, and establishes them as multifunctional hubs for social interaction within urban environments.
