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Credit: Futureal Group

Futureal concludes new financing agreement for Etele Plaza

Futureal, the owner of the Etele Plaza shopping and entertainment centre, has agreed with a consortium of three banks to refinance its existing loans and provide a new credit facility. The pan-European property developer has signed a €165 million loan agreement with a consortium comprising Erste Bank Hungary Zrt., Erste Group Bank AG and UniCredit Bank Hungary Zrt.

Photo by Josef Stepanek on Unsplash

Humanic Sold to Slovenian Investor Group

A surprise move in the retail sector: Austria’s Leder & Schuh AG, best known for its flagship brand Humanic, has been sold to the Slovenian investment firm Advance Capital Partners. Despite the change in ownership, the company’s headquarters for its 210 stores and 1,700 employees will remain in Graz, Austria.

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: Redevco

Redevco Closes Second Loan Investment Providing a €67m Facility to Support 2 German Logistics Developments

Redevco, one of Europe’s largest privately owned real estate managers, has completed its second loan investment, underscoring the growing momentum for its real estate debt business just six months after closing its debut deal. The €67 million loan will fund the acquisition and development of two Class A Mid-Box Logistics projects in Frankfurt and Karlsruhe, with a combined area of 63,000 sqm, by the Invesco Real Estate and Propel Industrial joint venture.

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: Prague City Tourism

PALLADIUM Shopping Center to be acquired by Reico

Part of the Austria based Erste Group, REICO is soon to acquire PALLADIUM Prague shopping center, in Prague, Czech Republic. As of today, the value of the transaction has not been revealed, and the transaction is currently being assessed by the Office for the Protection of Competition (UOHS).

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.

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: 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.

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.

Credit: FREY

FROM PROMENADES TO OUTLETS: FREY’S BOLD PATH TO MARKET LEADERSHIP

FREY Group has transformed the retail landscape with its open-air Shopping Promenades, and now it is venturing boldly into the outlet sector. In this exclusive interview, Chairman & CEO Antoine Frey explains why the acquisition of ROS was pivotal, how cultural placemaking and B Corp sustainability guide the company’s vision, and why projects like Malmö Designer Village and Designer Outlet Berlin are setting new standards across Europe.

HUMA IN SANKT AUGUSTIN – A PIONEER OF THE HYBRID RETAIL CONCEPT

The huma shopping center in Sankt Augustin is a unique development in the German retail sector: An established center has been successfully combined with a fully-fledged outlet area for the first time. ACROSS spoke with Dr. Maximilian Gutsche, Managing Director of the Jost Hurler Group, and Lars Jähnichen, Managing Director of the IPH Group, about the background, implementation, and market success of this model, as well as how it could be replicated elsewhere.

Credit: Trinity Capital

“OUTLET VILLAGE SOFIA WILL SET NEW STANDARDS IN BULGARIA”

Outlet Village Sofia: Bulgaria’s First Open-Air Outlet Concept Breaks Ground: Strategically positioned at the gateway to Sofia, right at the junction of one of Bulgaria’s two main highways, Outlet Village Sofia is set to redefine shopping in the region. Benefiting from the constant traffic of international travelers passing the capital and domestic tourists on the move, the project promises a steady stream of diverse shoppers. An interview with Ivan Nachkov, COO of Trinity Capital, and Simona Parvanova, Director of Leasing & Marketing, on the latest plans and developments at Trinity Capital.

credit: Redevco

FUTURE-PROOFING URBAN REAL ESTATE: REDEVCO’S DUAL FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY AND TENANT STRATEGY

As cities across Europe grapple with the challenges of climate change, shifting consumer behavior, and evolving urban needs, Redevco is positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable transformation. In the DACH region, we are demonstrating how a dual focus on ESG-led redevelopment and strategic tenant diversification can future-proof real estate assets – creating long-term value for investors, tenants, and communities alike.