Norwegian Property, one of Norway's biggest property companies, has appointed international architects Haskoll to draw up a retail design overview of Aker Brygge, the country's most important retail and leisure area which attracts over 12 million visitors a year.
Norwegian Property, one of Norway's biggest property companies, has appointed international architects Haskoll to draw up a retail design overview of Aker Brygge, the country's most important retail and leisure area which attracts over 12 million visitors a year.
The EUR 190 mln remodelling and refurbishment project is located on the Oslo waterfront. Until 1982 the site was home to the Akers Mekaniske Verksted shipyard, established in 1854. Since1986, it has formed part of Norway's most attractive office district, known as Aker Brygge, with around 70 shops, 40 cafes, restaurants and bars, and attracting around 12 million visitors a year. It is the most visited tourist destination in Norway.
The 100,000 m2 mixed-use scheme comprises waterside restaurants and cafes, retail, residential, offices and a range of entertainment and cultural activities. Construction work has begun on a phased basis and overall completion for the redevelopment is scheduled for 2015.
'This is a fantastic opportunity to bring a tired but still thriving retail centre back to life through creative innovation,' said Derek Barker, managing director of Haskoll.
Norway’s economic upturn, which started in 2011, is expected to continue for some time. Strong growth in real wages and employment is leading to a clear increase in households’ real incomes in 2012 and analysts predict an increase in consumption as well as savings.
