With Tarasy Zamkowe, IMMOFINANZ Group is realising a high-quality shopping center in the heart of Lublin, close to the historical castle. On Wednesday, the foundation stone was laid at a ceremony attended by Mayor Krzysztof Żuk. The event also included representatives of IMMOFINANZ Group, the general contractor Warbud and the architecture firm Stelmach I Partnerzy.

This center for shopping, entertainment, relaxation and recreation will have up to 38,000 sqm of rentable space and create an ideal location for approx. 150 shops. The opening is scheduled for the last quarter of 2014. The costs to completion will total approx. EUR 95 million (PLN 398 million).

“Lublin is an attractive market for the retail trade with its 350,000 residents and a catchment area with a population of 800,000. The interest of potential international, national and local tenants confirms this standing. We recently signed a contract with the Spanish Inditex Group, which is one of the world’s largest fashion retailers“, explains Eduard Zehetner, CEO of IMMOFINANZ Group. Inditex will be represented in the Tarasy Zamkowe with all seven brands (Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho and Zara Home) on 5,300 sqm. “We expect a broad and balanced tenant mix, including well-known brands that were previously not available in Lublin or the nearby region.”

Grzegorz Chudzik, member of the Management Board of Warbud S.A: “We are proud to be the general contractor of this prestigious development project. Over the last three and one-half months we have built in nearly 2,500 tonnes of steel and poured more than 34,000 cubic meters of concrete. The construction of the bottom slab and the associated installations are finished, and the building core and shell should be completed by spring 2014.”

“Our aim is to revitalise the neighbourhood surrounding Lublin Castle and the Old Town. In order to do this, effective cooperation between the investors and the owners of the adjacent lots is critical. The realisation of the Tarasy Zamkowe fits perfectly with our plans: the shopping center will be located in a historical area and also expand the retail offering in Lublin. At the same time, the investment will make an important contribution to creating a new road system“, says Krzysztof Żuk, the Mayor of Lublin.

Bolesław Stelmach, architecture firm Stelmach I Partnerzy: “Tarasy Zamkowe is not only a sustainable, environmentally friendly shopping center that meets the BREEAM energy efficiency standard, but also a cultural and public area that will create a friendly and attractive meeting place for the residents of Lublin – both inside and outside the building.“

More than 230 persons are currently operating in two shifts at this largest construction site to date in Lublin: the excavation works as well as the bottom slab and the diaphragm walls have already been completed. Every day roughly 400 cubic meters of concrete are poured and 45 tonnes of reinforcement material are installed. 40 truckloads arrive at the site on a daily basis, and 92 construction containers have been set up. Preparations have also been made for the coming winter months: lighting and heating equipment will also allow for the fast progress of construction during the colder months.

Tarasy Zamkowe will provide space for 150 retail shops and three restaurants as well as numerous cafés and snack bars. The construction area totals 105,000 sqm and includes 38,000 sqm of rentable space and 1,400 parking spaces on three levels. This new shopping center, which is located between Aleje Unii Lubelskiej and Tysiąclecia, can be easily reached by public transportation, bicycle and on foot. Approx. EUR 12 million (PLN 50 million) will be used, among others, to implement a specially designed traffic concept to ensure the problem-free coexistence of autos, bicycles and pedestrians.

The design of the Tarasy Zamkowe combines unique architecture with high ecological standards. A special highlight is formed by the green areas on the building’s roof: grassy areas, green paths and lookout points – at the most spectacular spot, visitors have an excellent view of the historical old city and the castle. Public areas at the corners of the shopping center create quiet areas as well as space for special events. Plans are also in progress to obtain BREEAM “very good” certification for the facility.