Klépierre opens award-winning Prado mall in Marseille

Prado is a 23,000 m2 shopping retail centre notable for its immense glass canopy, four levels of restaurants and shops – including Galeries Lafayette, Repetto, Alain Figaret, Jacadi and Zara.

Developed jointly by French retail REIT Klépierre and Montecristo Capital, the shopping centre is located in the Prado quarter of Marseille, which has a population of 300,000 and 400,000 m2 of office space. The official opening took place on 28 March following a major two-and-a-half-year construction period.

Inspired by 19th-century Italian covered galleries and designed by architectural firms Benoy and Rogeon to resemble a commercial street, the new shopping venue is covered by a canopy composed of 1,750 glass panels. It rests on 700-tonne mesh structure which appears to be suspended in the air. Described by as a 'veritable work of art', the canopy is designed as a screen against the 'Mistral' wind and allows light in while protecting visitors from the sun.

Brands
Klépierre said Prado shopping centre was designed to attract a clientele of local residents who, until now, have had limited retail and dining options. Leasing at Prado is almost at 96%, and the mall’s French and international brands will gradually open their locations between now and this summer. 

The main anchor for this new lifestyle hub is the four-story, 9,400 m2 Galeries Lafayette flagship store. Other fashion and lifestyle brands include Repetto, Tesla, Lacoste, Mon Petit Bikini, and Pellegrin & Fils. In the next few weeks, Zara will open a 3,300 m2 store - its largest in the region

More than shopping
Klépierre CEO Jean-Marc Jestin commented during the official opening that Prado illustrates the full range of Klépierre's expertise and its vision of the new generation shopping mall. 'At all of our malls, including the Prado, we help brands adapt to changing retail trends and provide them with a fantastic showcase for their products and concepts.'