The South African real estate investment fund NEPI Rockcastle is not giving up on the construction of the largest mall in the Balkans, which will be located in the Stock Station area of Plovdiv. On behalf of “Nepi Project Four” EOOD, an investment intention for the construction of a commercial-entertainment and administrative complex “Promenade” was submitted to RIOSV-Plovdiv.
The property is located on the main city thoroughfare – Hristo Botev Blvd. and Naicho Tsanov Blvd. and is located in close proximity to the city center and other commercial establishments, on two of the most active city thoroughfares. The object occupies the space of the entire district No. 170, and its contour is closed by the newly designed service street connecting the intersection at “Avksentiy Veleshki” street and the new roundabout at the “Rodopi” overpass. The street will pass to the terrain of the railway lines, it is clear from the investment intention.
“We are starting work on the project. We are currently taking the first steps, we have submitted the investment intention to RISV-Plovdiv and we are waiting for the approval of the institutions. After that, we will proceed to the preparation of the projects themselves and within days the clearing of the field will begin,” he told “Maritsa” Rumen Horev from Mix Consulting Group.
The position of the building complies with all the regulatory requirements, also reflected in part of the PUP, as well as with the necessary distances from the boundaries of the property to allow access of fire engines in case of need, it is clear from the submitted investment intention.
Transport access to the new shopping center will be through several entrances and exits to the adjacent road arteries. At the moment, extensions of “Hristo Botev” and “Naicho Tsanov” boulevards are planned, but not implemented. The site’s situational solution is tailored to future expansions.
The main entrances for customers and visitors are positioned towards the two main intersections, as well as from the open space on the eastern side of the building, where a richly landscaped area with recreation areas is planned. Within the property, commercial parts for means of transport are provided, as well as a speed ramp that takes cars up to the level of the roof parking.
The building will contain one underground level, one ground level, two commercial floors with shops and a roof floor with cinemas and parking.
NEPI, which also owns the capital’s Serdika Center and Paradise Center malls, announced plans to build a new shopping center in Plovdiv as early as 2018, but the project has been plagued by delays.
The mall was to appear on a 36-acre plot of land on the site of the city’s former Stock Station, which was acquired for over BGN 17 million. NEPI’s initial expectations were that the shopping center would open its doors by the end of 2020, and in the report of company for 2019, the deadline was moved to the end of the third quarter of 2021. However, the pandemic forced the South African fund to freeze some projects in Central and Eastern Europe, one of which was the one in Plovdiv.
The shopping center in the city should be on four levels, and the total investment in it is 150 million euros.
In parallel with the construction of the mall, the investors prepared some time ago a suitable transportation and communication plan-scheme for the organization of movement in the area. The company stated that they will donate nearly 8 acres of land to the Municipality free of charge for the construction of a new road infrastructure – an access road between the mall and the railway line, for a direct connection between the intersection of the former “Xpicto Botev” and “Avkcentii Beleshki” c byl. “Haycho Tsanov” and “Acenovgpadsko shoce” The decision is good and will unclog the traffic around Stočna Gara, say transport experts. And they emphasize that this is one of the most critical points of Plovdiv. In addition to the intense traffic flow, the Cofia – Bypgac railway also passes through here. The temporary changes remain in force, but they will be implemented only when the mall project is unfrozen, Mr. Horev’s team specified some time ago.
