SES has been managing the KING CROSS shopping center in Zagreb/Croatia as owner and operator since 2018. Now SES is developing the established center into Croatia’s most modern shopping mall. Construction work to completely refurbish the center will begin in 2024 following investment of approximately 40 million euros. Completion is scheduled for autumn 2025.
SPAR Real Estate Board Member and SES Board Chairperson, Marcus Wild: “The creation of vibrant living spaces requires flair to introduce fundamental changes at the right time. SES is adopting precisely this approach with the forthcoming refurbishment of KING CROSS Zagreb to transform the shopping center into a next-generation shopping destination”.
For SES CEO Christoph Andexlinger, the sustainable development and strengthening of the location is especially important: “We are therefore constantly implementing measures to safeguard the ongoing development and enhanced sustainability of the facilities we manage. SES is sending an important message for the future by investing in the expansion and conversion of Zagreb’s KING CROSS shopping center”.
The trend in the development and construction of shopping centers is clearly focused on enhancing consumer experience and opening up to the outside world. KING CROSS has been extremely successful in consolidating its position since opening its doors back in 2002. But now it is time to reach new heights by creating brand-new experiences and improving the quality of the stay.
With next year’s complete center refurbishment, SES is investing over 40 million euros in total to boost the appeal of the shopping mall. With this in mind, the forecourt also features in the plan alongside a new center and attractive outdoor eating areas, Mediterranean style. The existing shopping areas will be adapted alongside the creation of adventure zones and children’s play areas.
The mall will continue to operate during the refurbishment which will involve seven construction phases. All of the construction permits have now been issued and completion is scheduled for autumn 2025. The project will create an additional 5,000 square meters of leasable area on site. The mall currently has 35,000 square meters of gross leasable space (GLA), 55 shops and 1,600 parking spaces.
The venue already stands out from the crowd in the greater Zagreb area with furniture retailer Harvey Norman and sports supplier Decathlon thanks to its unique branch mix with large stores in the home & sports sectors. Thanks to INTERSPAR, dm, JYSK, Baby Center und PittaRosso , the center also boasts additional strong anchor businesses as well as a balanced shop mix comprising regional, national, and international partners. A new INTERSPAR bakery opened in the first half of 2023. The refurbishment will also create the most modern INTERSPAR store in Croatia.
The refurbishment is also set to bring the premises in line with state-of-the-art technical standards. There are plans to install a 6,800 square meter, 880 kW photovoltaic system on the roof to provide the center with a sustainable energy supply. The center will also be connected to the longest network of cycle paths in Europe, courtesy of the City of Zagreb Greenway project.
