The Varyáda shopping centre in Karlovy Vary has begun reconstruction. Thanks to the renovation, it will increase by half the size of the Varyáda shopping centre and will add the first multiplex cinema in the region, as well as more shops and bistros. The company EPG, which owns the centre, plans to invest about 40 million euros (about 908 million crowns) in the redevelopment. The construction, which will be carried out on site, will be divided into several phases and will take about two years. Linda Ryšavá, who is in charge of planning and construction at EPG, told reporters at the opening ceremony yesterday.
“We will always add a piece somewhere, open it up, and that will free up more space for us to continue the implementation. In this way, it will gradually move until October 2025, when it should be completely finished,” Ryšava described. However, the biggest changes will be seen by visitors at the end of this year and especially during 2025.
The current sales area of 18,000 square metres will increase by 9,000 square metres. Part of this will be at the expense of the parking lot in front of the center, which is partially unused, according to Rysava. On the other hand, parking spaces will be added on the side of the center.
The multiplex cinema is to be operated by the Premiere Cinemas chain. According to its CEO David Horáček, the built-in multiplex should have six screens with a total capacity of 900 to 1,000 seats. As he said today, Karlovy Vary is the last regional city without a multi-screen cinema. This is despite the fact that the International Film Festival is taking place there. However, it will be clear whether the festival will use the new screening capacity after the completion of the multiplex.
The Varyáda stands on the site of a barracks before 1989. The mayor of Karlovy Vary, Andrea Pfeffer Ferklová (ANO), recalled today that it was a neglected neighbourhood and the barracks were a popular place for homeless people. Only after the demolition of the building and the construction of a shopping centre 18 years ago did the situation begin to change. Nowadays, the shopping centre is located near the KV Arena sports complex, connected to the Meandr recreation area and then to the new Náplavka recreation area. The centre is thus a natural place from where people go to cycle paths, to Meandr or for sports.
Source: CTK
