Sonae Sierra and Fonciere Euris have announced that their Alexa shopping and leisure centre opened its doors in central Berlin on Wednesday. The ceremony was attended by Berlin's mayor Klaus Wowereit. The development, owned in equal shares by the partners, represents an investment of EUR 290 mln.
Sonae Sierra and Fonciere Euris have announced that their Alexa shopping and leisure centre opened its doors in central Berlin on Wednesday. The ceremony was attended by Berlin's mayor Klaus Wowereit. The development, owned in equal shares by the partners, represents an investment of EUR 290 mln.
'We are delighted with the opportunity to revive the historical Alexanderplatz. During the entire planning process we were acutely aware of the fact that we have to create something very special at this location which is so important for the city,' said Alvaro Portela, ceo of Sonae Sierra. Alexa is the first shopping centre in Germany jointly planned and built by Sonae Sierra and Foncière Euris. 'We are introducing ourselves to German customers with Alexa,' added Pierre Feraud, ceo of Fonciere Euris.
Alexa offers some 56,200 m2 of shopping space over 178 retail units, 13,000 m² mall spaces and parking facilities for 1,600 cars. The mall includes Kindercity, an educational and play area for children, as well as 'Loxx', where visitors can admire miniature models of Berlin's 'SBahn' trams and other trains.
Alexa is the first shopping centre construction site in Germany to obtain ISO 14001 environmental certification during its construction stage. 'Alexa is our flagship project for the German market,' said Thomas Binder, in charge of development at Sonae Sierra in Germany. 'Our plans are ambitious. Our current investment volume amounts to several hundred million euros. Currently we are developing another shopping and leisure centre in Weiterstadt, also in partnership with Fonciere Euris, and looking for several other opportunities to develop innovative shopping and leisure centres.'
