Arena Centar receiving its colours

Works on presently the largest building construction site in Croatia – the "Arena Centar" shopping-entertainment centre in Zagreb's Lanište neighbourhood, continues to be in full swing with works ahead of schedule. The red facade of Arena Centar is already visible on the eastern part of the building toward the Arena Zagreb venue.

"Arena Centar will open at the end of this year, representing the only shopping-entertainment centre to open its doors in 2010. TriGranit's investment of 244 million euro represents the largest FDI in CEE since 2009," said Vlaho Kojakovid, TriGranit Director Croatia, during today’s journalists’ tour of the construction site.

Mr. Kojakovid briefed the journalists on the final architectural design of Arena Centar’s large outdoor area that will offer visitors a pleasant urban landscaped area, full of interactive sculptures, benches, a large fountain, cafes and restaurants, as well as a modern square technically equipped for outdoor events. "Our landscaping is truely unique in this part of Europe; combining shopping, leisure area, entertainment, gastronomy and the synergy with the Arena Zagreb venue, Arena Centar will create a new regional meeting place in Zagreb,” added Mr. Kojakovid. Preparations have commenced for the fit-out works of tenant stores. In 10 days interior works will start for Arena Centar’s largest tenant – the Interspar hypermarket. “All concrete works will be completed by the end of the month. Works have also started on glassing the cupola of one of the Centre’s courts - Dalmatia Court, as well as the main mall. Stores are currently being partitioned so that tenants will soon be able to start their fit-out works. Also, we have completed the final design of the rich landscaping, which will be more than the size of Zagreb’s main Ban Jelacic Square,” said Leo Penovid, Arena Centar’s Project Manager. Since the start of construction in July 2009, works are being undertaken in two shifts. All the more workers are present on the site, with currently over 550 workers in the first shift and 250 in the second. Works are being supervised by IGH and coordinated by TriGranit’s expert team. Arena Centar will cover 175,000 square metres (GBA) and will offer 59,000 square metres of retail space. The Centre will comprise of: 10 large anchor and 200 small to medium-sized stores – which will include a large number of new fashion brands; a Spar hypermarket on 10,000 square metres; a CineStar multiplex cinema with 10 screens, including two “Gold Class” theatres and IMAX; and many other entertainment and gastronomic services new on the Croatian market. Visitors will have at their disposal 3,500 parking lots. A novelty that TriGranit is introducing is the fact that Arena Centar will be adapted for persons with special needs.