18 Oct Mitiska REIM and Poseidon Group open two new retail parks in Serbia
Mitiska REIM, in partnership with Poseidon Group, has today announced the opening of two new retail park developments in Serbia – Capitol Park Rakovica and Capitol Park Sombor.
Capitol Park Rakovica, which opens this Thursday, is the largest retail park in Belgrade, with a gross leasable area of 19,700m2. The new development has over 30 shops and parking for more than 700 cars, with family entertainment including a cinema, childrens’ amusement park, restaurants and cafes. It was fully let four months before opening, with tenants including a range of Serbian and international brands such as Dis, Jysk, LC Waikiki, New Yorker, Deichmann, CCC, DM, Djak and Cine Grand Cinema. Mitiska REIM and Poseidon Group plan a second phase in 2018 which will include extending the fashion mix and the addition of a petrol station and a fast food restaurant that increases the retail park size to 25,000m2 GLA.
Capitol Park Sombor opened on 22 September 2017 and is the first retail park in the Serbian city of Sombor. The first phase of a 3,510m2development project is located adjacent to the city’s main bus station and football stadium, with tenants including C&A, Takko, Deichmann, Studio Moderna (TopShop) and DM, and parking for more than 250 cars. Lidl will open next door to the retail park in 2018.
Oliver Hurley, Group Managing Director of Poseidon Group, comments: “We are delighted to announce the opening of these two new retail park developments. Both the Rakovica and Sombor properties were previously disused brownfield factory sites, on which we have created two international-standard retail parks, which between them have created over 800 new jobs in their local communities.”
Axel Despriet, CEO of Mitiska REIM, comments: “In our view, Serbia is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for many international brands, looking to position themselves and capture the expected growth as Serbia moves closer towards EU accession.
“The successful opening of these two new developments is proof of the appeal of retail parks to both retailers and shoppers alike. Across Europe, retail parks are increasingly becoming the first choice among retailers, attracted by the highly visible locations and low occupancy costs, with shoppers appreciating the convenience and ample free parking.”
Luc Geuten, Chairman of Mitiska REIM, adds: “We are continuing to see a strong pipeline of opportunities for both new developments and value-add refurbishments of existing retail park properties, not only in Serbia, but across Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Mitiska REIM specialises in European retail parks and, by working closely with local partners such as Poseidon Group, we have been able to grow our portfolio on behalf of FRI and FRI 2 to 45 retail parks in just four years.”
Mitiska REIM, on behalf of FRI and FRI 2 and in partnership with Poseidon Group, owns a total of three retail parks in Serbia, and one development project. In addition to the new development openings in Belgrade and Sombor, plans are underway to extend Capitol Park Sabac by 2,000m2 GLA, leased to H&M, extending the retail park to a total of 12,000m2.
About Poseidon Group
Poseidon Property is the real estate investment, development and asset management division of UK-based Poseidon Group established in 2001. The division has grown organically with SE Europe offices established in Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia engaging 50 colleagues across the region. The Group manages eight active real estate investment platforms with partners ranging from pension funds, private equity firms, family offices and high net worth individuals. The current book value of its projects is €1.2 billion in a portfolio comprised of over 60,000m2 of built retail parks, 36,000 m2 of built food supermarkets, and more than 400 residential apartments and houses in planning and construction. Equity investments in excess of €500 million have been deployed over the past five years in developing more than 280,000m2 of real estate and purchasing 2.2 million m2 of land.
For further information, please contact :
David Tejml
Investment Director
Mitiska REIM
Tel: +420 774 688 224
dt@mitiska-reim.com
Sylvie Geuten-Carpentier
Director
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Mitiska REIM
Tel: +32 495 502268
sg@mitiska-reim.com