Amsterdam / Riga, 5 September 2019
Multi Corporation and Linstow Center Management announce that after two years of construction the new enlarged Alfa shopping centre in Riga, Latvia, opened its doors to the public on 5 September 2019 and welcomed 135,000 visitors in the first days after the opening. This extension once again makes Alfa Latvia’s largest shopping centre, increasing the overall leaseable space to 71,000 sq.m and offering the broadest ranges of stores, restaurants and services in one location.
Works on the Alfa extension started in September 2017 and involved the construction of a multi-story car park, increasing the total number of parking spaces to 1,750, and a three-storey retail building. The number of tenants increased to 210 from the current 170. The extension also included the addition of bike parking facilities and a major landscaping upgrade. The area around the centre has been spruced up, adding 177 new trees, while the outdoor car park along Brīvības Street has been replaced with a park.
Patrick van Dooyeweert, CDO/CIO of Multi Corporation, says: “It is with great pride that we celebrate the opening of the extension of Alfa shopping centre today, adding 20,000 sq.m of retail space and 40 new stores to the centre. We are convinced that this addition will meet the growing demand from tenants and customers and make the shopping centre stronger for the future. The large number of visitors in the first days after the opening shows that the public has already embraced the enlarged centre. We are grateful for the trust and support of both the Riga City Council and the retailers and for the excellent cooperation with our partners Swedbank Latvia, Linstow Center Management and Merks. An interior renovation plan for the existing part of the shopping centre is currently under development. The refurbishment will include new floors, ceilings and furnishings, plus improved visual lines and signage, creating a seamless connection to the new extension.”
The board chairman of Linstow Center Management, which is property/project manager of Alfa, Frode Gronvold adds: “After two years of intensive construction, the Alfa shopping centre is prepared to regain its status as the largest shopping centre in Latvia. Today, when we are opening the doors to the new Alfa shopping centre, we are truly thankful to everyone who was involved in this project for the excellent work that they did. We are also thankful to our visitors, lessors and partners for their patience. Now we can offer not just the broadest range of fashion brands under a single roof, but also an enlarged selection of quality restaurants, a sports hall, and a unique zone for children entertainment.”
New brands and restaurant area
Zara Home will open its first Latvian store in the Alfa shopping centre. Other new brands include Black Star Wear, BabyBack Ribs & BBQ, and the Kinetic Play entertainment area for children and younger people. The first two floors of the building offer fashion brands, including Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius, Oysho, House, Cropp, Moskito, Tom Tailor, Nike, Timberland, Vans, Sigeer, 4F, Intimissimi, Calgedonia and Accessorize. Redesigned shops include Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear, Monton, Reserved and Mohito. A number of service providers have also joined Alfa.
A large food court, sports club and entertainment zone for children and adolescents can be found on the third floor. The food court covers nearly 6,500 sq.m, offering new restaurants such as LIDO, Vairāk Saules and Grill London, while popular restaurants such as Gan Bei, Čili Pizza and Double Coffee have reopened. Visitors who enjoy an active lifestyle can take advantage of the 1,700-sq.m My Fitness sports club, while the centre’s youngest guests will be able to enjoy the use of a special 500-sq.m entertainment zone for kids.
Team
Swedbank Latvia is the financial partner. TTDesign, Multi Corporation’s in-house design group, designed the architectural concept and the interior. SIA SARMA & NORDE Arhitekti acted as the executive architects, while technical supervision was carried out by the FORMA 2 company. Merks was responsible for the construction work.
