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PROJECTS, TRENDS AND STRATEGIES

Redevco is transforming the iconic 126 Rivoli in Paris into a vibrant 13,000 sq m mixed-use space. Located on one of Paris’s main shopping streets, Beats Per Minute (BPM) aims to be a modern urban development landmark, combining environmental and societal goals and revitalizing the city.

LATEST TRENDS IN ASSET AND CENTER MANAGEMENT

Transformation in lieu of new construction: Marco Gösling, Managing Director Business Unit Construction Solutions at umdasch The Store Makers, provides insight into the growing significance of general contracting, the challenges associated with renovating existing buildings, and why sustainability is no longer merely a trend. Projects such as the ”Kämmerei” in Düsseldorf and ”Le big TamTam” in Hamburg demonstrate how technical expertise, environmental awareness, and architectural quality go hand in hand.

Following the successful contract signing last year, ADVENTICA, the international operator of indoor family entertainment destinations, is set to open its first German location at Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum (RRZ). Spanning 3,600 m², the new facility will enter a multi-week soft-launch phase ahead of its grand opening on October 17, 2025.

MEC’s new Business & Project Development department underscores its commitment to the future of retail real estate. Instead of pure administration, the focus is now on holistic location development – strategic, practical, and market-oriented. Head of the unit, Jörg Wege, explains how vision meets everyday business, why hands-on expertise matters, and how this drives MEC’s growth.

DEVELOPMENTS AND TRENDS IN THE OUTLET INDUSTRY

With over 120 international and Polish fashion and lifestyle brands, a vibrant F&B offering and a prime urban location, Designer Outlet Kraków launched with a celebratory ceremony hosted by KG Group and ROS Retail Outlet Shopping—marking a significant milestone for premium outlet shopping in southern Poland.

Florentia Village Istanbul is Turkey’s first luxury designer outlet combined with a modern full price retail park creating a unique hybrid retail concept. Located next to Istanbul Airport, the outlet aims to set a new benchmark for retail, leisure and entertainment in the region through its scale, accessibility, attention to detail, service and innovative dual-concept structure.

STRATEGIES OF RETAILERS

While Central and Eastern Europe are experiencing rapid economic growth, the energy transition is still in its infancy. NEPI Rockcastle, the region’s retail real estate leader, is taking unprecedented steps to meet nearly half of its electricity needs via solar power by 2026. With a €110 million investment program stretching from Romania to Poland, the company is not only supporting the sustainability of its tenants but is also reshaping the CEE energy landscape itself. In a sector in which climate targets often lag behind, NEPI Rockcastle is proving that green retail is not only possible but also profitable.

Transformation in lieu of new construction: Marco Gösling, Managing Director Business Unit Construction Solutions at umdasch The Store Makers, provides insight into the growing significance of general contracting, the challenges associated with renovating existing buildings, and why sustainability is no longer merely a trend. Projects such as the ”Kämmerei” in Düsseldorf and ”Le big TamTam” in Hamburg demonstrate how technical expertise, environmental awareness, and architectural quality go hand in hand.

The lease agreements concluded for retail parks increasingly feature solutions that differ from the classic Triple Net Lease agreements, particularly as regards the settlement of operating costs and the division of responsibilities between the parties. The latest trends in this area are reshaping the relationship between the parties, balancing the interests of investors and tenants while responding to increasing market expectations. In this article, we share our observations from the CMS team’s practice and point out the implications of these changes for the retail sector participants.

LATEST TRENDS

Let’s take a quick glance beyond the borders of Europe, as many markets hold much more promise than we might think. As businesses contemplate the next steps in their growth strategies, the question arises: when will we see new store openings in countries like Iraq, vibrant dining establishments in Pakistan, and ventures marked with flags in Tanzania or Kenya? Furthermore, why do Bangladesh, India or Saudi Arabia often remain absent from many brands’ master development plans? After years spent in international development, attending countless business meetings and conferences, Will Odwarka, Founder and CEO of Heartatwork Hospitality Consulting, and Member of the ACROSS Advisory Board, presents a candid perspective on this matter: Our collective bias and judgment often deter us from exploring these promising markets.

NUGA Castellana will be designed for “work, live and play”. The goal is to unify all spaces which are managed by PIMCO Prime Real Estate — Paseo de la Castellana 200-208, Félix Boix 4-8, Doctor Fleming 39-41, and Carlos Maurrás 7 (five residential units out of the 14 that make up the asset, alongside commercial spaces) — into a single block that blends cutting-edge design with the most advanced technology.

At Main-Taunus-Zentrum (MTZ), one of the largest and most successful shopping centers in Germany, ECE Marketplaces has realized a new destination within the center being a further development of the open structure and providing an additional USP of the center. In the middle of the open-air shopping center in Sulzbach near Frankfurt am Main, the new “Food Garden” creates a lively new urban center with a high quality, varied gastronomy offering in five free-standing restaurant buildings for a total of eight restaurant concepts, inviting outdoor terraces, and attractive green spaces.

The Main-Taunus-Zentrum welcomes another attraction: a new “Food Garden” opened in the shopping center in Sulzbach near Frankfurt am Main, planned and fully let after a construction period of around 15 months.

RETAIL TECHNOLOGY

As Asia stands at a pivotal moment for sustainable development, Nordic Innovation was in the spotlight at EXPO 2025 Osaka, as well as SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025, with leaders and companies sharing ideas on how technology can make cities more livable, resilient, and sustainable. The events emphasized the importance of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles in shaping the future of urban development, from green infrastructure to inclusive economic growth.

SmartGifty is a web-based gift card management solution for shopping centers and retailers. Through the solution companies can analyze a number of statistics to plan effective marketing activities and have control over the gift card stock. MASS is a prominent Slovenian client of SmartGifty. By implementing the solution the shoe retailer gained growth especially in its online channel.

PLANS OF INVESTORS AND OWNERS

Well deserved honor: Rüdiger Dany, CEO of NEPI Rockcastle, received the lifetime achievement award at the prestigious 19th SEE Property Awards. This prize recognizes and celebrates Rüdiger Dany’s incredible 30-year career and his invaluable contribution to the real estate industry. In 2024, he continued to write his personal success story and that of NEPI Rockcastle. Probably no other company performed as well as NEPI in 2024. Reason enough to talk to Rüdiger Dany about the highlights of his company as well as current developments and challenges.

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