ING RED, Apsys to build 42,000 m[sup]2[/sup] retail centre in Metz

ING Real Estate Development and Apsys have reached agreement with Saremm, the Metz Metropolitan land management company, on the development of a 42,500 m² retail and leisure scheme in Metz, Northeastern France. The complex is part of the Quartier de l'Amphitheatre project, an inner-city regeneration covering an area of 38 hectares.

Launched in 2006, this large-scale redevelopment project is located next to the Metz Central high-speed train terminal and to the Centre Pompidou-Metz modern art museum scheduled to open in 2010. As part of the project, 260,000 m² of new space will be delivered to the district, including 96,000 m² of retail area and 128,000 m² of residential accommodation. Major investors in the project are ING Real Estate, Nexity, Lazard construction, Apsys, Foncière des Régions, Batigère, and Bérénice.

The shopping and leisure centre, including 10 mid-sized units, a supermarket and a wide range of smaller shops, is expected to open in 2014, ING RE said.

'The signing of the Quartier de l'Amphitheatre scheme in Metz is an important signal of the return of confidence in the European market for new retail developments,' said Menno Maas, CEO of ING Real Estate Development. 'The project is also a perfect example of our focus on retail-led mixed use development.'