The topping-out of the Ozas shopping and entertainment center, to be opened on August 20, 2009, has been celebrated yesterday (April 2). Built to become the preferred fashion shopping destination in the Lithuanian capital, Ozas is by far the largest national retail development with a total area of 180,000 m² and it features more than 180 shops on a leasable area of approx. 62,000 m².
 ))
Ozas will have a leasable area of approx. 62,000 m².
The 170-million investment is carried out by joint efforts of ECE and Rubicon group. Ozas has become a place of choice for a number of international retailers, as it is located between densely populated districts and the city center in Vilnius Entertainment Park, surrounded by important city traffic arteries, and as it provides a distinguished center management.
"Ozas is about to introduce state of the art shopping center standards in Lithuania, thanks to its outstanding architecture and our experienced management," said Stefan Zeiselmeier, Managing Director of ECE Projektmanagement Vilnius. "We can also announce that a major part of the center will be occupied by large shops run by international retailers with whom we already cooperate successfully in several of our 112 centers Europe-wide." Vilnius is a favorable retail location as it is the strongest economical center in Lithuania. It provides for ca. 40 per cent of the country's GDP. The purchasing power in Vilnius exceeds other regions of the country by 30 per cent.
More than 90% of Ozas' shop space is secured by long term lease contracts. The three level shopping gallery has five anchors: international hypermarket Prisma, leading European fashion department store Peek & Cloppenburg, consumer electronics store Topo Centras, a multiplex cinema by Forum Cinemas and a family entertainment center, to be run by Seven Entertainment group. They are accompanied by numerous fashion stores, sports and health shops that have signed lease contracts as well, for example New Yorker, Seppala, Reserved, Lindex, Orsay, Bennetton, Ecco, Sportland, Nike, Douglas or The Body Shop. The great variety of shops is complemented by attractive restaurants, cafés and other service providers. The gallery also opens the Lithuanian market to many new stores and brands, such as Prisma, Peek & Cloppenburg, Colloseum, Jack&Jones, BiBa, Ann Christin, Timberland, or BijouBrigitte. Another distinctive feature of Ozas will be the gastronomic plaza where customers can choose from a great variety of fast food outlets, restaurants and cafés.
Ozas will also set new architectural standards in the local retail industry: Its wavelike roof an impressive, complex construction of glass and steel is designed to mirror moraine hills which have shaped the region since the last glacial period. Wide and light-flooded plazas with cafés and restaurants will create an inviting atmosphere to meet friends and relax.
Belonging to a complex with Siemens Arena and Vichy Water Park, Ozas constitutes part of a major national attraction triangle. Around 850,000 inhabitants live in the center's catchment area. 2,400 parking spaces will be available for visitors who can also easily reach th
