Sonae Sierra and the Mall Group have inaugurated the shopping and leisure centre El Rosal, located in Ponferrada, in the Spanish province of Léon, a development that represents an investment of 111 million, which opened its doors to the public on Tuesday October 23rd.
Developed by the partnership between Sonae Sierra (70%) e and the Mall Group (30%), this new shopping and leisure center is the 47th owned by Sonae Sierra. It generates 1400 new jobs, and is expected to welcome 7 million visits and reach a sales volume of 110 mln. in its first year of activity.
El Rosal is now the main commercial reference in the region of El Bierzo, with a catchment area of 178 thousand people, and it makes available a complete commercial offer on its 147 shops, distributed in a Gross Lettable Area (GLA) of 49,500 m², 93% of which is already let.
Álvaro Portela, Sonae Sierra's CEO, highlighted "the special pride felt with the opening of El Rosal", underlining that "this project broadens Sonae Sierra's already significant presence in the Spanish market, where we now own 12 large shopping and leisure centers, and it also represents a bet on a region with great potential". In conclusion: "We're certain El Rosal will become the favourite leisure destination for the inhabitants of the El Bierzo region".
Besides many of the most prestiged international brands, such as Zara, Beshka, Pull & Bear, Oysho, C&A, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti, Promod, Cortefiel, Women's Secret, Springfield and H&M, El Rosal also hosts 17 restaurants and 7 cinemas. We highlight the fact that 33 shops were let to local entrepreneurs.
A Green Centre
With a harmonious architecture, which combines the space with comfort and functionality, this new shopping and leisure center was decorated in accordance with the local characteristics, with a predominance if warm and welcoming colours. "It's very important for Sonae Sierra to integrate its development with the surrounding areas, and in the case of El Rosal, that objective was completely fulfilled", explained José Quintela, Sonae Sierra's Chief Design Officer.
In accordance with the Sonae Sierra's Corporate Responsibility policy, the new shopping center obtained the ISO 14001 environmental certification for the construction stage, which attests the finest environmental practices during the construction stage. El Rosal fully respects the concept of 'environment-friendly center', with facilities and equipments that allow for the saving of energy and water, the monitoring of the air quality and the recycling of waste, among other environmental benefits.
This shopping and leisure center ensures the best access for all visitors, and with that in view, it was designed and built in accordance to the DALCO (Deambulación, Aprehensión, Localización y Comunicación) criteria, established by the UNE 17001 Global Accessibility standard, promoted by ONCE and AENOR. This is the third center to obtain such certification in Spain, after Luz del Tajo, in Toledo, and Plaza Éboli, in Pinto, both owned by Sonae Sierra.
Source: Sonae Sierra
