Bucharest 31 July 2007 –Located in the north part of the capital, within Băneasa Project, the largest mixed use-urban development in Romania, in the most dynamic retail area in Bucharest, close to the first IKEA store in the country and next to the most prestigious retailers such as Bricostore, Carrefour, Metro, Mobexpert, Băneasa Shopping City can be considered an example for the mall’s development in Romania. Attentive to the customers’ and the retailers’ needs, following the latest international retail trends, the Băneasa Shopping City management developed the initial project by redesigning the main entrance in order to incorporate a department store and by doubling the size of the entertainment area from 15,000 to 30,000 sq. m.

"Since we started this project we have continuously aimed to deliver the best shopping centre ever built in, by setting new standards in retail: the best tenant mix, the best architecture, the best leisure place, the highest quality services and many more…  To accomplish that, we all work very hard every day to make sure that from the first brick to the last detail everything is handled with utmost care. From the very first day the project has continuously evolved for the better and the demand for the better has also grown exponentially. We had no other way but to extend the building two times. We redesigned the main entrance of the commercial center and we doubled the size of the entertainment area. By doing that we have increased the total lettable area by 30%. The total construction budget allowed for this construction also grew parallel and we estimate that will exceed 150 Million Euros until the inauguration of the project. Today, we are glad to say that Băneasa Shopping City is fully let and most of the shops will be new brands first time operating in . We want to keep our promise and build the most spectacular mall ever built in and that’s why due to the reconfiguration of our project, we decided to reschedule the grand opening of Băneasa Shopping City for spring 2008. More space means more fashion, more food and more fun. More choices for our future visitors!” stated Ali Ergun Ergen – Administrator and Retail Development Manager / Băneasa Developments.

Băneasa Shopping City offers more than 85,000 sq. m of shopping in its 220 fashion stores, restaurants, entertainment units and services with the highest level of customer service. For the first time in , Băneasa Shopping City develops a three level food-court with a panoramic view of the entertainment area around it and builds the largest entertainment center in the country, soon to become the shopping and entertainment destination for Bucharest citizens and its surroundings.

Băneasa Shopping City is part of the Băneasa Commercial Area that represents a brand new concept for the Romanian retail market bringing together large format retail concepts.

The first phase of the retail park is already opened for public and comprises: CARREFOUR, one of the largest hypermarkets in the country, FEERIA shopping gallery with over 77 individual stores, METRO, the leading “cash & carry” supplier in Romania, BRICOSTORE, the most successful “DIY” store and MOBEXPERT, the Romanian no. 1 furniture producer and retailer. Also, in March, this year, the first IKEA store in was opened at Băneasa Commercial Area.

The second phase of the retail park, which will be completed early 2008 includes the MOTOR CITY auto showroom and BĂNEASA SHOPPING CITY, the flagship of the retail park; this will be followed by more that 30.000 sq. m. of Cinema leisure and family entertainment center in the fall of 2008.

Băneasa Commercial Area will cover more than 450,000 sq. m representing the largest choice in terms of fashion, services, leisure and entertainment activities, providing a unique shopping and entertainment city destination for Bucharest and surrounding areas.
Băneasa Commercial Area is one of the three integrated parts of the Băneasa Project, itself the largest mixed use urban development project in the South Eastern Europe. The investment in the project exceeds EUR 1.8 billion and will cover over 221 hectares of land. In addition to the 450,000 sq. m of retail area, Baneasa will offer approximate 5,000 housing units and a state-of-the-art business park incorporating 160,000 sq. m of class A and A+ office space.
 
For further information:
Loredana Croicia
Retail Communication and Promotion Manager
Băneasa Developments
T/F:      +40 (21) 305.71.95/+40 (21) 310.60.34
M:         +40 (747) 070 232
E:         loredana.croicia@baneasa.ro


Roxana Răcănel
Retail Media Specialist
Băneasa Developments
T/F:      +40(21)305.71.95/+40 (21) 310.60.34
M:         +40 (747) 070 237
E:         roxana.racanel@baneasa.ro