Multi Poland officially commenced the construction of the Forum Gdańsk shopping centre complex with a ground-breaking ceremony attended by top city officials, project partners and future tenants.
The new centre will offer some 63,000 sqm of gross leasable area in a perfect location in the inner city of Gdańsk, adjacent to the main railway station, the Old Town and key municipal buildings. Total investment, including road infrastructure development, is approximately PLN 800 million (€194 million). Multi has already secured the financing for the scheme. The project started with preparatory work and archaeological excavations in autumn 2014, and the grand opening is scheduled for 2017.
Forum Gdańsk has been designed to revitalize the historic areas of the former Hay and Crayfish markets, and will combine a retail scheme with the creation of quality public space and the modernisation of the road infrastructure.
As part of the project, Multi will house and cover the railway tracks running through the land, the reason the potential of the location had not yet been fully exploited. Multi Poland, the Gdańsk municipal authorities and PKP Polish Railways are cooperating on this project.
“We are bringing the Hay and Crayfish markets back to life and back to their original function. Years ago this area was a lively marketplace, and also the first stop for those arriving in Gdańsk. For many visitors, this will be the starting point of their visit to the Old Town, with its historic sites and attractions. And for us, the residents of Gdańsk, this will be a new place to meet, chat, spend time together and, of course, go shopping. What would a market be without shopping?” said Paweł Adamowicz, the Mayor of Gdańsk.
“Today is a big day for us as Forum Gdańsk enters the construction phase. In two years’ time, we want the residents of Gdańsk to come and enjoy their free time at Forum Gdańsk – whether shopping, watching a movie, eating at one of the restaurants, exercising at the gym, or visiting the Gdańsk Heritage Centre. We hope many people will also come here just to spend time at the public square over the Radunia canal. The prestigious location in the heart of the city makes Forum Gdańsk a very special project for Multi and we are fully committed to making it a success,” said Tomasz Matusiak, Director at Multi Poland.
