Footwear retailer Kazar and investor and developer Atrium European Real Estate blaze their way through one of Central Eastern Europe’s top awards ceremonies, each collecting a hat-trick of accolades.
Honouring the region’s ever-changing commercial retail real estate market, and reflecting its evolving nature, EuropaProperty’s eleventh annual CEE Retail Real Estate Awards once again highlighted the continued enthusiasm for retail real estate in CEE by recognising the best of the retail industry for their continued market success.
Overall Retailer and Footwear Fashion Retailer went to Kazar, which was recognised for their continued expansion and confidence in the CEE region throughout 2018. Professional of the Year also went to the retailer’s founder and CEO Artur Kazienko, who was highlighted by the jury for his strong leadership skills and ambition in a challenging market.
Accentuating the continued confidence and interest in the region’s retail sector, many key retailers were also awarded on the night. Other major winners for the retailer specific awards included: Green Coffee Nero, Olimp restaurant chain, Rossmann, Carrefour, Intimissimi, Yes, Orsay and Reserved. The Newcomer of the Year award was received by Papa John’s Pizza.
Atrium European Real Estate was recognised by the jury for its prolific acquisition, de-investment and refurbishment strategy throughout the region. The company won three awards, including Developer, Investor, and Retail Renovation/Refurbished Project of the Year for their flagship development Atrium Promenada in Warsaw.
2018 was a big year for retail development in Poland and the project award winners reflected the changing dynamics of the country’s retail development market. Many of this year’s nominees formed extensions, refurbishments, mixed-use and retail park projects.
Best F+B Concept went to Unibail-Rodamco – Westfield’s Grand Kitchen in Arkadia. This year’s Mixed-use awards celebrated two champion projects. Liebrecht & wooD Group’s Centrum Praskie Koneser, on the Praga side of Warsaw, was recognised by the jury as well as Luka Living’s Luka Living residential and retail project in Prague. Multi Development’s city centre forming Forum Gdansk walked away with the Shopping Centre of the Year in the large category. Capital Park’s popular and successful Vis à Vis chain won the Best Convenience Store Development Chain award. Their latest development to this portfolio, Vis à Vis Wilanow also received high praise from the jury and was awarded Retail Project of the Year in the small category.
Other major project accolades were given to Gemini Holding’s Gemini Park Tychy in Poland, which collected the Shopping Centre of the Year award in the medium category. The company’s Founder Rafał Sonik also received high praise and recognition on the night. Honoured by EuropaProperty as Man of the Year, Rafał is a respected entrepreneur, philanthropist, and winner of the Dakar Rally.
Gemini Holding has been present on the Polish market since 1993. Since 2009 Rafał has been successfully extending the Gemini Holding portfolio with his own shopping centres – Gemini Park. At present, he owns three facilities of this type with a total area of over 112,000 sqm, and a value of nearly €307 million. He is planning to establish more projects of a similar kind in Poland.
In a significant boost to the retail real estate industry, the eleventh edition of the annual EuropaProperty CEE Retail Awards, welcomed a record number of attendees, including over 100 retailers actively operating in the region. Innovation in the retail sector was recognised by the Retail Institute, who partnered with EuropaProperty, and recognised several companies for their achievements and forward-thinking practices that have shaped the changing face of the retail industry over the last year. Winners included Multi’s Forum Gdansk, EPP, Carrefour, eObuwie and LPP.
Additional company awards were given to Eiffage Construction as Construction Firm of the Year. International real advisory JLL picked up the Property Management Firm of the Year, for the extensive nature of its professionalism and retail properties portfolio under management.
Global consultants Colliers International picked up the Agency of the Year award. Additional company awards were presented to Dentons, one of the world’s biggest law firms, which received the regional Law Firm of the Year award. Tax and Financial Adviser of the Year once again went to TPA and Professional Service Provider of the Year went to MK Illumination.
Gleeds again followed up last year’s success by collecting the Project Management Firm of the Year award. APA VIA and Partners picked up Architectural Firm of the Year. Pbb Deutsche pfandbriefbank was voted Bank of the Year and Shopping Center Director of the Year was awarded to Blue City’s Yoram Reshef.
The awards were judged by an independent elite panel of industry professionals from some of the leading commercial real estate companies in the region. The jury selected the winners of the awards from the shortlisted companies. In order to ensure maximum objectivity and transparency of the final results, the judging procedure was overseen by EY – one of the world’s leading professional services organizations.
On behalf of our sponsors, judges and attendees, we offer our congratulations to all the winners. Foundations are already in place for next year’s event, which promises to be even bigger.