ECE to build football stadium-mall in Czech city

Hamburg-based shopping centre developer ECE Projektmanagement has been awarded the contract to build Park Malsovice, an inner-city football stadium with a retail and leisure component, in the historic Czech city of Hradec Kralove.

The centre located in the Bohemian region in the north of the country will be able to accommodate 14,000 football supporters and around 130 retail outlets. Construction, which is expected to be completed by 2011, will cost around EUR 135mln. ECE is bringing in sporting experts to advise on the project, including Peter Jauch, the former manager of Swiss football club FC Basel.

'Our goal is to present Hradec Kralove with a new and dynamic public space where people can enjoy sports, culture and leisure activities, but which offers extensive shopping facilities as well,' said Josef Tobek, chief executive of ECE Praha, who is overseeing the project.

The shopping and leisure centre, Arkady Hradec Kralove, will also feature restaurants, squash courts and bowling facilities. In addition, a large compound with public training grounds, inline skating paths and a theatre will be developed near to the neighbouring Orlice river.