Facebook Linkedin Rss
ACROSS

Search Results for: center – Page 25

From left to right: BIG Andrychow, BIG FASHION Novi Sad, Big Čačak /// Credit: BIG CEE

THINKING BIG: FROM THE BALKANS TO POLAND

BIG Shopping Centers Ltd. was founded in 1994 and has grown from a local property developer into a global real estate group with operations in Israel, the Balkans, and Central and Eastern Europe. Today, the company is valued at approximately €4.45 billion on the TASE and holds nearly 90% of AFI Properties Ltd., extending its reach to seven countries and more than 1.38 million sqm of leasable space. Its portfolio includes open-air shopping centers, malls, outlets, offices, and even renewable energy, with a consistent focus on creating long-term value through brand strength and operational excellence.

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 /// 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.

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: 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: 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: Placewise

A NEW TENANT MINDSET: EMPOWERING TENANTS THROUGH SHARED DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Retail real estate is at a tipping point. The era of simply leasing square meters is over. Tenants now expect digital tools, shared data, and strategic collaboration from their landlords. Forward-thinking center managers are stepping up, transforming from space providers into performance partners. Those who embrace this shift aren’t just keeping tenants – they’re attracting the next wave of retail innovators.

Credit: HyperIn

HOW MONETIZATION STRATEGIES ARE EVOLVING WITH TECHNOLOGY

What if your shopping center could predict which tenant would fail three months before they knew it themselves? What if empty walls and busy corridors could generate as much revenue as the stores beside them? What if finding the perfect pop-up tenant took minutes instead of months?

Credit: BALFIN Group

BALFIN GROUP: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF REAL ESTATE IN THE WESTERN BALKANS AND BEYOND

With malls, retail parks, hotels, and housing projects, BALFIN Group is setting new standards in Southeast Europe. In this interview, Vice President Csaba Toth outlines the expansion from the Balkans to Western markets and explains why digital innovation and an integrated approach make BALFIN a prime partner for investors and brands.

Credit: umdasch

EXPERIENCE TRUMPS SPACE: WHY RETAIL REAL ESTATE NOW NEEDS TO OFFER MORE THAN SQUARE METERAGE

The traditional formula of “square meters times footfall” has become less and less relevant. Silvio Kirchmair, CEO of umdasch The Store Makers, explains why retail properties today need to be places that offer experiences, partnerships, and pleasant atmospheres to survive the retail revolution. Away from pure space and toward lively, multi-functional locations – that’s how brick-and-mortar retail can make a comeback.

Credit: MK Illumination

EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE OVER SQUARE METERS: HOW LIGHTING, IDENTITY, AND STORYTELLING MAKE RETAIL REAL ESTATE FUTURE-PROOF

In a world where square meters no longer guarantee success, Thomas Mark, President of MK Illumination Group, argues that the future of retail lies in how spaces make us feel. From safety to storytelling, light plays a pivotal role in transforming commercial real estate into places of belonging, optimism, and human connection. As retail shifts from transaction to transformation, emotionally intelligent design is becoming a strategic necessity not just to attract visitors but to inspire loyalty, community, and lasting value.

Credit: Kinexio

FLEXIBILITY VS. STABILITY IN RETAIL LEASING: HOW TO BUILD SMARTER PORTFOLIOS IN AN UNCERTAIN MARKET

Long-term leases and predictable returns are no longer the bedrock of retail real estate. In a post-pandemic world shaped by volatile consumer habits, economic uncertainty, and omnichannel disruption, landlords face a new reality: Tenants demand agility, landlords need security, and the lease itself has become a delicate balancing act. David Fuller-Watts, CEO of Kinexio, explains: From short-term pop-ups to turnover-based rents, the rules are being rewritten, and technology may be the key to turning risk into resilience.

Portrait credit: ROS | Image credit: FREY

RESHAPING THE EUROPEAN OUTLET INDUSTRY WITH PROVEN EXCELLENCE

With the acquisition of significant portfolios in Italy and Germany, the development of Malmö Designer Village, and numerous expansions, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping is among the most dynamic players in the European outlet market. Together with partner FREY, the company is now pursuing ambitious growth goals. ROS co-founder Thomas Reichenauer talks about the latest steps, synergies in ESG and digitalization, and the challenges of a changing industry.