Major makeover kicks off at Europa Centralna

Mitiska REIM, the leading specialist investor in European convenience real estate, has kicked off the transformation plan at Europa Centralna in Gliwice, which has now become the largest retail redevelopment project currently underway in Poland. Alongside this, Momentum Leisure is developing a new €50 million theme park on a land plot adjacent to the retail center.

Mitiska REIM acquired Europa Centralna on behalf of the MEREP 3 fund alongside a co-investment from EBRD and last year agreed the sale of a 6.6 ha land plot to Momentum Leisure.

Commenting on the aims of the project, Mitiska REIM’s Managing Partner and Managing Director of Poland, Sylvie Geuten-Carpentier, said: “Mitiska REIM has a long track record of revitalizing out-of-favor and underperforming retail assets and transforming them into modern, successful and sustainable convenience retail centers, for the benefit of shoppers, tenants and local communities. Since acquiring Europa Centralna two years ago, we have been working in partnership with existing tenants and local authorities on these plans to redevelop and reposition Europa Centralna, and bring in new entertainment partners such as Momentum Leisure. Our goal with this transformation plan is to turn Europa Centralna into a go-to destination in the region through a compelling offering of necessity retail, leisure and entertainment”.

As part of the project, the main gallery of Europa Centralna has been closed to allow for a comprehensive renovation that will significantly upgrade the customer environment and retail offer. Meanwhile, the retail park section will continue to operate without any disruption, ensuring full access for customers and stable trading conditions for all tenants. Throughout the redevelopment period, nearly 40,000 m² of retail space, together with all existing parking facilities, will remain fully open. The project team is currently in the process of selecting a demolition company, with demolition works planned to begin at the start of December. The general contractor (GC) is expected to be formally appointed in Q1 2026, with the appointment currently scheduled for February 2026.

Retail park operating as normal

The retail park remains open and continues to provide access to a wide range of well-known brands, including: Action, Aquael ZOO, BEL-POL, Castorama, Flügger Farby, Funzeum, Galeria Telefonów, House of Air, Jula, JYSK, Kolejkowo, Martes Sport, McDonald’s, Media Expert, myjnia samochodowa, New Yorker, Nexterio, Pan Materac, RTV Euro AGD, Smyk, Sports Direct, Studio Mebli Kuchennych and TEDi.

The offer is expanding with new additions: the recently opened Sinsay store has moved to the retail park and will open before Christmas, and there are already four temporary tenants open and operating on-site: TUI, ITAKA, Wakacje.pl and Telephone Accessories.

Parking remains fully open and free of charge, and after the modernization will provide 1,900 spaces. The redevelopment also includes improvements to the external road system to enhance traffic flow and ease visitor access. A key part of the project will be a complete redesign of the parking area into a greener, more welcoming environment featuring extensive vegetation, flower meadows, rain gardens for water retention, and electric vehicle charging stations, supporting ecological and sustainable development.

Janusz Botorek, founder and president of JB Development, responsible for the commercialization process, adds: “The strategic vision for Europa Centralna is a game-changer for shoppers in the region and existing tenants, and the market’s reaction fully confirms this. We are in advanced discussions with leading brands who are keen to become tenants at Europa Centralna and understand that combining modern retail with unique entertainment is a formula for commercial success. Our task is to build a perfectly complementary tenant mix that will guarantee powerful, year-round footfall. At the same time, we are ensuring full business continuity – our current partners in the retail park are operating without any disruption, which is the foundation of this entire investment’s stability”.

New entertainment destination

The existing leisure offering, including Funzeum, Kolejkowo and House of Air, will soon be complemented by an adjacent theme park developed by Momentum Leisure. The investment, valued at over €50 million, will introduce a unique concept to the Polish market, including two roller coasters and a variety of attractions for families and thrill-seekers. The opening is planned for mid-2027. Thanks to the unique combination of a retail park and an amusement park complex, a space will be created that meets both everyday shopping needs and leisure expectations, adapted to a modern, family lifestyle. In this way, Europa Centralna and its partners are creating a destination in Gliwice for which there will be no alternative in the region.