Corporate | 2 October 2012 13:06


IMMOFINANZ Group starts prestigious retail development project in Poland


IMMOFINANZ AG / Key word(s): Real Estate

02.10.2012 / 13:06


Corporate News | Press Release

Vienna/Lublin, 2 October 2012

IMMOFINANZ Group starts prestigious retail development project in Poland

Today, IMMOFINANZ Group presented its next retail development project in Poland: A state-of-the-art high-quality shopping center will be created in the middle of the Lublin City Center, close to the historic castle. Tarasy Zamkowe – previously known as Galeria Zamek – will become an exciting shopping, entertainment, recreation and leisure facility as well as an integral part of the existing inner city attractions. And the signs are promising: The interest of local, national and international retailers for sales areas is exceptionally high. The leasable area will amount to 37,000 sqm, offering space for about 150 shops. Construction works will start in October, and the opening is scheduled for autumn 2014. The total investment for this project will amount to approximately EUR 115 million (PLN 480 million).

'Lublin is a promising retail market with 350,000 residents and a total catchment area of 800,000. This fact – together with the strong economic power of the city of Lublin and the low retail density – influenced our decision to buy the former Galeria Zamek site last year. In order to create a shopping mall that fits perfectly into the townscape and offers a unique shopping and entertainment experience, we revised the original design to include the latest retail development trends', commented Eduard Zehetner, Chief Executive Officer of IMMOFINANZ Group – one of the leading real estate investors and developers in Europe. 'We are very pleased that our efforts to build a state-of-the-art retail property were rewarded by the local authorities and that we will be able to start construction works within the next few weeks. Following the successful extension of the Silesia City Center and the recent start of our first residential development project, Dębowe Tarasy , both in Katowice, Tarasy Zamkowe represents another important development in Poland – a promising market where we plan to further intensify our activities.'

From Galeria Zamek to Tarasy Zamkowe

Since the name Galeria Zamek has been on the market for quite a long time, IMMOFINANZ Group conducted a survey in Lublin to evaluate whether the brand still matches the revised concept for the shopping and entertainment center. Tarasy Zamkowe was chosen from several recommendations. This name evokes positive associations among the residents of Lublin and is perceived as a modern, trendy, fashionable, green and inspiring place.

An exceptional shopping center, tailor-made for residents' requirements

The remarkable design of Tarasy Zamkowe combines unique architecture with high ecological standards. The distinctive features are greeneries located on the top of the building: lawns, pathways and viewpoints among which the most impressive one will overlook the panorama of the Castle and the Old Town. Public squares at the corners of the shopping center will invite visitors to linger and also create room for events.

Tarasy Zamkowe is projected to accommodate about 150 retail units, 3 restaurants as well as numerous cafes and food court units. The floor area totals 104,000 sqm: 37,000 sqm dedicated to leasable area, 23,000 sqm to public space and plant room and 44,000 sqm to underground parking. Three levels will provide 1,000 convenient parking spaces. Located between Aleje Unii Lubelskiej and Tysiąclecia, the new shopping center will also be easily accessible by public transport, bicycle or foot.

IMMOFINANZ Group is already in intensive negotiations with international, national and local retailers. The demand for quality retail space in Tarasy Zamkowe is very high. Thus, Tarasy Zamkowe will offer a well-balanced tenant mix including many well-known brands – some of which are currently not available in the Lublin region.

Tarasy Zamkowe : local experts confirm the unique combination of environmentally friendly creativity and high-tech building engineering

Tarasy Zamkowe will be a high-tech shopping centre, shaped as a triangle with a square on each corner. The idea of the project reflects modern rules of environmentally friendly creativity. It is the synthesis of an ecological approach to the landscape and high tech building engineering. 'The current global crisis in ecology and power makes two tasks stand out in the work of architects: to strengthen cultural and environmental identity and to optimise energy consumption in buildings. These two objectives represent the foundation for the investor's designs of Tarasy Zamkowe ', commented Bolesław Stelmach, architect of the shopping and recreational center . ' Sustainable design will allow for a symbiosis of cultural and natural heritage in line with energy efficiency.'

Prof. Zbigniew Myczkowski, member of the Committee of Architecture and Urbanisation in Kraków, confirmed the positive value for the local community: 'The solutions chosen for the project are hypermodern and create an unquestionable aesthetic value – they form a harmonious connection between the building's structure and the natural landscape. The fifth elevation – the composition of the roof with natural elements that are in harmony with the building construction – horizontally, diagonally and in inclined plane – is the organic shape of the building. It is a masterpiece of architecture, landscape architecture and gardening art.'

Aiming for BREEAM certification

'We are pleased to receive positive feedback on the sustainability of Tarasy Zamkowe, as we – IMMOFINANZ Group – believe in our responsibility for environmental protection. We place high value on resource-conserving construction methods and energy efficiency. This approach formed the basis for the final design of our retail development project in Lublin', explained Ralph Bezjak, Director Commercial Development of IMMOFINANZ Group. 'We have made enormous efforts to prepare Tarasy Zamkowe for a BREEAM certification – an internationally recognised environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings – and are confident that we will meet all necessary requirements.'

Building on local cooperation and expertise

As Tarasy Zamkowe is a future part of the inner city shopping attractions, IMMOFINANZ Group is interested in supporting the local economy and establishing a long-term relationship with local partners. 'Interesting opportunities for local companies will arise. In fact we have already started cooperations with local contractors that have become very professional and successful. Our goal is to work with partners from the Lublin region and to engage local expertise wherever possible. In addition, about 2,000 men and women will find new jobs once the center is opened', explained Ralph Bezjak, Director Commercial Development of IMMOFINANZ Group. 'We consider our investment as an addition to the existing retail offering and are convinced that Tarasy Zamkowe will strengthen the inner city retail sector, resulting in a win-win situation for both parties, local retailers and traders and IMMOFINANZ Group.'

To demonstrate the company's commitment to the project and to the City of Lublin IMMOFINANZ Group decided to invest an additional approximately EUR 12 million (PLN 50 million) to support the further development of this beautiful, up-and-coming city. These funds will support the realisation of a customised traffic concept to ensure the problem-free coexistence of motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic and further infrastructural measures, amongst others.

'Our aim is to revitalize the area surrounding the Castle and the Old Town. The investment of IMMOFINANZ Group lives up to those expectations', commented Krzysztof Żuk, Mayor of Lublin.

'IMMOFINANZ Group will strive to ensure the smooth construction of Tarasy Zamkowe so the residents of Lublin will soon be able to enjoy this new shopping, entertainment and recreational area. – Please let me take this opportunity and once again thank the City of Lublin and Mayor Krzysztof Żuk for their confidence in our expertise and the fruitful collaboration that we look forward to continuing', Eduard Zehetner.

High resolution visualizations and the entire press-kit are available under:
http://www.immofinanz.com/en/press/press-releases/

On IMMOFINANZ Group
IMMOFINANZ Group is one of the leading listed property companies in Europe and is included in the leading ATX index of the Vienna Stock Exchange. Since its founding in 1990, the company has compiled a high-quality property portfolio that now comprises more than 1,820 investment properties with a carrying amount of approx. EUR 10.38 billion. The core business of IMMOFINANZ Group covers the acquisition and management of investment properties, the realisation of development projects and the sale of objects. IMMOFINANZ Group concentrates its activities in the retail, office, logistics and residential segments of eight regional core markets: Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Poland and Russia. Further information under: www.immofinanz.com



Contact:
For additional information contact:

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Stefan Schönauer
Head of Corporate Finance & Investor Relations
IMMOFINANZ AG
M +43 (0)1 88090 7312
investor@immofinanz.com

Simone Korbelius
Investor Relations
IMMOFINANZ AG
T +43 (0)1 88090 2291
investor@immofinanz.com

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Sandra Bauer
Head of Corporate Communications | Press Spokesperson
IMMOFINANZ AG
T +43 (0)1 88090 2292
M +43 (0)699 1685 7292
communications@immofinanz.com

A-1100 Wien, Wienerbergstraße 11
www.immofinanz.com



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Language: English
Company: IMMOFINANZ AG
Wienerbergstraße 11
1100 Wien
Austria
Phone: +43 (0) 1 88090 – 2291
Fax: +43 (0) 1 88090 – 8291
E-mail: investor@immofinanz.com
Internet: http://www.immofinanz.com
ISIN: AT0000809058
WKN: 911064
Listed: Freiverkehr in Berlin, München, Stuttgart; Open Market in Frankfurt; Wien (Amtlicher Handel / Official Market)
End of News DGAP News-Service

187375  02.10.2012