The International Council of Shopping Centers Europe (ICSC Europe) has released the list of finalists for the 2009 European Shopping Centre Awards. A total of 18 centers out of a record 41 entries from 19 countries have made it onto the short list of finalists which represent 11 countries across Europe.
Every year, ICSC Europe presents awards to the best new and refurbished or extended retail developments in Europe. Acknowledged to be the most prestigious awards within the industry, the 2009 Awards will be presented at the 34th ICSC Europe Conference from 22-24 April 2009 in Barcelona, Spain
The Awards Jury consists of senior international figures within the shopping center industry and any retail or entertainment project opened or newly refurbished or extended between July 1st 2006 and June 30th 2008 was eligible to apply for an award.
Awards Jury Chair, Derek Barker, said: "It was pleasing this year to see an increasing number of entries from the emerging shopping center markets such as Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Cyprus and Eastern Turkey, where we are seeing some competent shopping centers being built based on tried and tested formulas. In Western Europe urban design is still driving many shopping centers with the rebuilding of streets and parts of towns to assist urban regeneration.
"Generally the entries are less extravagant in design, with many achieving extremely professional layouts, shopping environments and leasing to achieve efficient and effective real estate solutions."
Entries this year competed in six categories: Small New Centers (up to 25,000 m²), Medium New Centers (26,000
