The Germany Metro AG, operator of several retail networks, has announced its intention of building a retail and office complex in the southern Wilanów suburb of Warsaw. Karl-Josef Baum of Metro AG says that his company would like to invest around PLN500m in the development of a 194,000m site. He claims that around twenty percent of this sum has already been spent.
The planning department has already allowed for thirty percent of this site to remain green. The remainder is to be allotted for six free standing, four level office buildings each with around 3,000sqm of office space, four level parking and retail units. Stefan Kuryłowicz, architect of the project says that future buildings should reflect the current low level of construction in Wilanow. He wants to see buildings that are not too high as well as a 150m green belt.
The attractiveness of the site is further enhanced by plans of Prokom to build the Miasteczko Wilanów project here.
The most concern is made by the idea of erecting so many buildings so close to the royal palace of Wilanow. Metro AG is not the only company seeking to build retail facilities here. Auchan has already stated that it has the same plans as has Carrefour Polska which has also bought land here.
Andrzej Pawłowski of the Wilanow local authorities does not believe that there is room for three hypermarkets. He says that there should be only one but not necessarily any of the three currently interested parties.
Metro believes that sooner or later there will be a retail centre in this location because it is allowed for in the overall urban plan. The company says that the most important factor is that the complex should not change the character of the area and be of the highest quality possible.