TriGranit Development Corporation, the third largest retail developer in Europe, and Polish Public Railways has signed an agreement for the development of the Poznan new transportation complex. It will consist of a railway, a fast train, and a bus station with a park & ride facility for some 1,500 cars. The beginning of the construction of the 160 million investment is scheduled for early next year. The first phase of the hub with a large retail center is to be opened in 2012.
The investment has been prepared since 2007. TriGranit was selected by PKP on a tender last year from eight property developers. According to the signed agreement PKP S.A. brings into the investment 4 ha plot of land, and necessary permissions and arrangements with Poznan municipality. TriGranit will engage required financing and the investment design agreed with the City of Poznan.
"Poland has always been our flagship destination for our property development activity. We opened our first shopping center in Katowice five years ago, followed by the successful Bonarka City Center in Krakow last year. In Poznan we can utilize our experience in transforming train stations into new city centers gained at WestEnd City Center in Budapest and Emonika City Center in Ljubljana, as well. We bring our expertise and our long-term commitment toward Poland, which together with PKP creates new center and meeting point for Poznan citizens," commented Árpád Török, TriGranit CEO.
"Concluding the negotiations in such a short time is a success. Preparation of similar projects in other European countries usually takes five to six years. We have achieved this in three years. After signing the agreement, we are concentrating on achieving all necessary permits required to start the construction of the new railway station, which will be the first stage of the investment. We would like to start the construction in the first half of 2011, and finish the railway station in the second quarter of 2012. This is one of three projects carried by PKP S.A. Similar investments are held in Katowice and in Sopot," said Paweł Olczyk Member of the Board of PKP S.A., Real Estate Director PKP S.A.
The new transport hub and shopping center will be built on a 93,000-m² plot, the total GLA for the two phases is about 60,000 m². At street level the bus terminal with at least 12 bus stations will be located .The Terminal will be connected with level +1 and +2 of the shopping center and with the new railway station, which main level will be on level +1 where the passengers services will be built. On the ground floor will be the terminal management offices and the bus ticket offices. The hub will be connected to the new city roads and will be available by car from ground and first floor, from Dworcowy Bridge (Railway Bridge). The new city road connection will be designed accordingly with communications needs and standards of Poznań City Road Company.
Source: TriGranit
