Mitiska REIM, a specialist investor in European convenience real estate, announced the sale of a 6.7 ha land plot to Momentum Leisure to develop a theme and water park at Europa Centralna retail centre.
Located on a 27-ha site in Gliwice, Poland, Europa Centralna is the largest retail scheme in the city with a gross leasable area (GLA) of 67,000 sqm and parking for 2,000 cars. Mitiska REIM acquired the retail centre in March 2023 on behalf of the MEREP 3 fund.
As part of its value-add investment strategy, Mitiska REIM plans to reposition Europa Centralna as a modern and sustainable convenience real estate asset offering a diversified mix of essential daily shopping, DIY, homeware, fashion, discount goods, leisure and entertainment. Janusz Botorek, Board Member and shareholder of Karuzela Holding, Mitiska REIM’s Polish partner, has joined the project as a co-investor and local operating partner.
Momentum Leisure is a leading developer in the leisure and entertainment sector and plans to develop the newly acquired land plot with a theme and water park for children and families, with plans to open in 2026. This latest development will be Momentum Leisure’s fourth theme park and second water park in Poland, to have 10 parks in Central and Eastern Europe operational by 2030.
Sylvie Geuten-Carpentier, Managing Partner of Mitiska REIM, comments: “We are delighted to collaborate with Momentum Leisure on this project and to extend the offering of Europa Centralna with a theme and water park. Europa Centralna is already the largest retail centre in the city – our goal is to turn it into a go-to destination in the region through a compelling offering of convenience retail, leisure and entertainment.”
Wouter Dekkers, CEO of Momentum Leisure, said: “This collaboration with Mitiska REIM is a real win-win because it integrates shopping and leisure in a perfect location. We are looking forward to developing this site – and perhaps other locations in the future – together. Moreover, as part of our net-zero strategy, both the theme and water park will be designed to meet the sustainability requirements.”
Janusz Botorek, co-investor and local operating partner for the retail scheme adds: “We see huge potential for Europa Centralna as a convenience real estate asset. Strategically located in Upper Silesia, one of the most important economic regions in Poland, Europa Centralna is ideally placed to capitalize on the 4 million consumers who live within a 30-minute drive of the centre.”
