After many years of planning of new shopping centre constructions in Prešov, Slovakia, Eperia is the first one, opening in November. When the developer, J&T Real Estate, started implementing the Eperia shopping centre construction in July 2016, less than two years had passed from the final sketches of the project.
Five months prior to its official opening, the shell construction is completed and the interior construction works have commenced. Currently, the leaseable areas are 85 percent occupied with negotiations with additional tenants in process.
Eperia, the first modern shopping centre in Prešov, is starting gradually to gain the status of a new Prešov dominant feature.
“Currently, we entered the next stage of construction, focusing on the works within the object. We are working on the façades and roof structures,” Juraj Marko, the project manager, explained. “We have also started implementing the interior installations including the static fire extinguishers, wiring, air-conditioning, heating, cooling, sanitary fitting, partitions, lifts and escalators.
“As far as the works outside the object itself are concerned, we are working on the implementation of all the utilities and have also started building the communications and hard landscaping With the aim of completing construction by the official opening date, which is scheduled at the end of November 2017, about 150 workers are employed on the site. As a team, we are following the single goal: to open Eperia for the citizens of Prešov as scheduled, so that they can enjoy it during the Christmas shopping period,” the project manager added.
In March, Eperia was 80 percent leased out, with tenants including the most attractive global high-street fashion brands. At the moment, the shopping centre has a contract concluded with 85 percent of tenants, which comprises about 65 brands. The largest share of the shops are taken by the fashion brands, including footwear, with the share of almost 60 percent, followed by services with 7.9 percent and groceries with 7.6 percent.
Sports goods, a drug store, pharmacy and catering comprise equally about 12 percent of the total number of shops.
“We are pleased that Eperia will provide customers with a wide portfolio of foreign as well as domestic brands, useful services and catering facilities as well as cafés,” ,” said Peter Píš, the leasing and marketing manager of the project. “Negotiations are actively running for the remaining part, choosing operations to add to the already varied mixture. There will certainly be surprises in the form of new and interesting brands.
“We believe that the carefully chosen brands, shops or cafés will bring visitors a new shopping experience. For us, it is crucial that the citizens of Prešov accepted Eperia, considered it to be their own shopping centre, were proud of it and enjoyed spending time there. We are trying to fulfil their expectations by bringing the fashion brands we have been missing in Prešov for a long time.”
EPERIA will be an attractive shopping address for a large catchment area including Bardejov, Svidník, Stropkov, Sabinov or Vranov nad Topľou.
“In addition to 91,000 citizens of Prešov, we also expect the visits of at least an additional 36,000 people, living within only a five-minute car drive,” ,” Peter Píš added. “Speaking about the distance of a 15-minute car drive, we can address an additional 110,000 customers, with the distance of 30-minute car drive, the potential is 172,000 visitors and as many as 330,000 people live within the reach of a 60-minute drive from Eperia.”
