CBRE Global Investors has completed the acquisition of the Sfera Shopping Centre in Bielsko-Biala in the Silesia Region.
The centre comprises approx. 61,878m² across two malls with 230 retail units, 23 restaurants and cafes, cinema, hotel and apartment complex. Arranged over three floors, it has an occupancy rate of 97.2% with an attractive tenant mix including fashion retailers H&M, C&A, New Yorker, KappAhl, Zara Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Pull & Bear and Stradivarius.
The shopping centre is located in the centre of Bielsko-Biala, adjacent to the main railway station and close to the city hall. It was built in two phases in 2001 and 2009, in place of a former textile factory, with a preserved façade, paved alleys and glazed roofs. It has a catchment of more than 700,000 people within a 45 minute drive.
Florencio Beccar, head of retail EMEA, CBRE Global Investors, commented: “Sfera is a well-positioned and well-let dominant shopping centre in a growing market that has a population of low unemployment and high disposable income per capita.”
The centre has enjoyed a good performance due to its location and catchment area, as well as its roster of international retailers that is a key differentiator from Sfera’s competitors. We believe with further asset management activities we can add value to an already well-performing asset.”
Grzegorz Ryszka, Transaction Manager, CBRE Global Investors commented: "The acquisition of Sfera demonstrates CBRE Global Investors interest in, and ability to buy, dominant shopping centres in these attractive economic growth markets. We want to continue the programme of bringing in new tenants, particularly strong fashion retailers, to support our plans to add value and achieve rental growth over the hold period.”
CBRE Global Investors was advised by Linklaters, Cushman & Wakefield and CBRE Building Consultancy. Helaba provided the €96m of financing for the transaction plus a VAT line in the amount of PLN 200 million.
