More than 220 stores and service points, 53,000 square metres of commercial space, perfect location, sophisticated design, underground car park in the city centre with 1,200 spaces – today at 10am sharp Galeria Katowicka has been opened. 15,500 customers have visited the centre during the first 2 hours.

Galeria Katowicka is a part of the commerce, transportation and office centre that is the result of collaboration between NEINVER, Meyer Bergman and the Polish State Railways. It is a remarkable project due to its location in the very heart of  agglomeration with 2-million population and the current situation in the retail sector. For this reason, the opening of Galeria Katowicka has been one of the most impatiently anticipated events.

When we started the project 7 years ago, it was not only a challenge with respect to construction and engineering, but it first of all presented outstanding business prospects. I believe that what Galeria Katowicka is today, and I mean the business model as well as architectonic and usability solutions, will allow us to make the best of this remarkable opportunity, says Agata Brzezińska, Country Manager, NEINVER Poland. The area of nearly 30,000 sq metres contains 53,000 sq metres of commercial space, 1,200 parking spaces, railway station hall, bus terminal and one of the city’s main arteries. Additionally, we also have a spot for an office building with 20,000 square metres of space.

The level of commercialisation of Galeria Katowicka is 92% on the opening day. There are more than 220 stores and service points located at 4 levels, including one underground level. The tenant mix strategy assumed that Galeria Katowicka would be a popular place, that is attractive to all customer groups. That is why the tenant mix includes such brands as Zara, Euro RTV & AGD, Reserved, C&A, Stokrotka, SMYK or Deichmann, with the alternative provided by Peek&Cloppenburg’s first department store in Katowice.

Galeria Katowicka aroused interest already at the design stage. The perfect location, great access by all means of transport and the attractive tenant mix make it remarkably appealing. At the moment the lease level is 92%, which makes one of the best in the entire country. I am convinced that the facility will get best possible responses both from the tenants and the customers. I believe that the success of Galeria Katowicka will encourage similar investments in other cities despite difficult market situation, said Marek Noetzel, Retail Department, Cushman & Wakefield, the company responsible for commercialisation of Galeria Katowicka.

The project was commenced in 2007 when PKP S.A. decided that the railway station hall in Katowice and the surrounding area needed full-fledged revitalisation in collaboration with a private partner.  The competition procedure in 2009 resulted in the selection of NEINVER Poland as the partner of PKP S.A. Meyer Bergman joined the project in the next year.

The project carried out in Katowice is undoubtedly one of the most  interesting ventures in Europe at the moment.  It is highly evaluated by  international experts who keep an eye on the Polish real property  market.  We knew we had to take part in this outstanding and challenging  project that uniquely combines commercial, transportation and public  functions. For this reason, Meyer Bergman decided to make an investment  in Katowice in 2010. Today we know this was a good business decision.  We  are thrilled to see the effects of our collaboration with NEINVER and  the Polish State Railways. This project which will reshape the image of  Katowice is an excellent example of an investment fund, a developer and  a public institution effectively working together towards a common goal.  No doubt, this model of collaboration that we have developed will set a  prime example in the international property market, says Mark Gamble, Head of Asset Management, Mayer Bergman.

The cornerstone was set on 31 May 2011. It was already in October 2012 that the first part of the investment was delivered for service: the new railway station hall. As from February 2013, the city buses have been using the new underground bus terminal.

Galeria Katowicka will create around 1,000 new jobs.

SUD Architectes, a French company, was responsible for the architectonic design of Galeria Katowicka. The interior design was entrusted to medusa group based in Silesia.

STRABAG was the General Contractor for construction works. The agent exclusively responsible for lease of commercial space in Galeria Katowicka is Cushman & Wakefield.