Some 20,000 of the 50,000 sq m leasable retail floor area of Grand Mall in Varna have been prelet, it was announced at Wednesday's ground-breaking ceremony for the multi-use complex.
The shopping center, a project conceived by Bulgaria-focused retail developer Orchid Developments Group Ltd, will accommodate around 220 apparel, footwear, accessories, jewelry and book stores and eateries.

The outlet of French retailer Carrefour in the complex will occupy 10,000 sq m. The mall will offer 1,700 parking spaces under- and above-ground. Cinema theater operator Arena has a lease on the entertainment floor of the mall. It will open eight theaters with a total of 1,200 beds.

The rest of the tenants as well as the building contractor for the development will be announced no later than three months from now.
The 100 mln euro complex will open in early 2010. In addition to the mall component, it will have three 75 m office towers that will bring the total built-up area of the complex to 200,000 sq m.

The group is developing a multi-use complex in the center of Varna. This development, which is the largest planned in the city, totals a build area approximately 190,000 sq m that comprises the Grand Mall and commercial towers. Excavation and shoring works started late August 2007.