News
27 February 2008
Shopping centre at the Marketplace in Katowice?
Gazeta Wyborcza reports on the latest plans of the Municipal Council concerning the development of the centre of the Silesian capital, which allow for erecting a large shopping centre at the Marketplace. However, this solution is a disappointment to the specialists.
The concept of modernisation of the Marketplace area, prepared by the architect Tomasz Konior, consists, for example, in redeveloping the western part of Korfantego Avenue. The density of the new development is to be much higher. This will be one of the largest investments – not only in Silesia, but in the whole country.
Architects of Katowice are not enthusiastic about the possibility of creating a shopping centre in the heart the city. According to one of them, Henryk Buszko, introducing large-scale retail to the city centre is nonsense. He claims that this place should be as diverse as possible.
Both Konior and city authorities defend their decision and believe that Katowice lacks high-quality retail. They also reassure that the plan is not about building a supermarket but, for example, a shopping centre. Andrzej Schaeffer, plenipotentiary of the Mayor of Katowice for redevelopment of the city centre, asserts that the authorities hold talks with developers from around the world and that for many of them the creation of retail facilities is a key issue.
The Municipal Council is preparing a competition for investors. The main prize are three investment areas – neighbourhood of the Roundabout together with the area of the demolished Wedding Hall, car parks at the BWA Modern Art Gallery and the area in the vicinity of the Separator building.
The nearest possible date of commencing construction work is mid 2009.
Architects of Katowice are not enthusiastic about the possibility of creating a shopping centre in the heart the city. According to one of them, Henryk Buszko, introducing large-scale retail to the city centre is nonsense. He claims that this place should be as diverse as possible.
Both Konior and city authorities defend their decision and believe that Katowice lacks high-quality retail. They also reassure that the plan is not about building a supermarket but, for example, a shopping centre. Andrzej Schaeffer, plenipotentiary of the Mayor of Katowice for redevelopment of the city centre, asserts that the authorities hold talks with developers from around the world and that for many of them the creation of retail facilities is a key issue.
The Municipal Council is preparing a competition for investors. The main prize are three investment areas – neighbourhood of the Roundabout together with the area of the demolished Wedding Hall, car parks at the BWA Modern Art Gallery and the area in the vicinity of the Separator building.
The nearest possible date of commencing construction work is mid 2009.