Factory Outlet Centers (FOCs) are few and far between in Germany, unlike other retail properties. This is now set to change. The Clees Group recently presented its plans for FOC Wuppertal. Together with its future center manager, ROS Retail Outlet Shopping, and the planning company ATP Architects Engineers, the investor intends to create a factory outlet center in central Wuppertal in the coming years. Planning permission has already been granted for the first phase.
First partial opening of over 10,000 sq m to come in 2017
The first part of the opening could come in 2017 with completion of the first phase, consisting of about 10,000 sq m of rental space with up to 65 stores expected. The second phase is to be implemented thereafter, which would extend the rental space by approximately 13,000 sq m. The full completion of FOC Wuppertal is planned for 2019. According to its plans, FOC Wuppertal will have a lettable area of around 30,000 sq m and have space for up to 150 sales units when its final stage is completed. It would thus be the largest outlet located in a German metropolis. Overall, there are currently only two outlets in Germany that are similar in size to FOC Wuppertal as planned.
Alexander Clees, project manager at Clees Group: “With FOC Wuppertal, we want to travel a new path and get consumers back into the city center. We see this as an excellent complement to existing inner-city retailing and catering and want Wuppertal to become a shopping destination of national significance.”
ROS Retail Outlet Shopping assuming center management
ROS Retail Outlet Shopping has joined the center management for FOC Wuppertal. ROS stands for successful outlet projects like Designer Outlet Soltau and Designer Outlet Landquart in Switzerland and Fashion Outlet Parndorf in Austria. The operator also brings with it experience in managing an outlet in a historic city center from the successful opening of City Outlet Bad Münstereifel.
Thomas Reichenau, managing director of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping GmbH: “We see great potential in Wuppertal to build one of the leading factory outlets in Europe. The property has a very good location in Germany’s most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, with an attractive catchment area of around 20 million inhabitants within a traveling time of 90 minutes.” With its excellent contacts with fashion and lifestyle brands, ROS will be able to attract a variety of sectors and tenants to Wuppertal with a mix that is sustainable for the region and fits the catchment area.
