With special thanks to arch. Iliev from Studio "Planings", who wrote this wonderful text “Gradat” magazine

May 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the first shopping center  in Sofia - City Center Sofia.

This very important project for us is the first of a long series of large and high profile commercial and office complexes completed successfully by the team of "Planning."

The unique location at the  heart of Sofia, the entrance to one of the best metropolitan parks with perfect connection to the metro and ground public transport.

The projects’s idea underwent great development on a project level, as well as during the reconstruction itself. The changes of the common areas were dictated due to the new trends in shopping centers where redirecting the footfall towards both ends of the mall were necessary with “anchor tenants.”

After its opening, the Center City went through different owners in different periods. In the recent years before the property became part of the portfolio of Revetas Capital, the shopping center did not have  particularly good support that certainly has affected tenants.

Even with the purchase of the property, the Fund declared its intention to renovate the building and rebrand the project, making it part of their platform Park Center.

The name City Center Sofia has sentimental value for everyone. The new name Park Center Sofia, however, reflects perfectly the unique location of the shopping center - on the border between the bustling city traffic (excellent transport accessibility) and South Park (a favorite place for walking and recreation of local residents). Even the ground floor plan was designed as a portal - Pass - lively promenade between the town and the park.

Reconstruction

After the stated desire of the new owner to undertake the project, many meetings were held  with the  team  to determine to what extent must adapt layout- in order  to meet the modern trends in shopping centers.

We united on the idea of the original concept to have a a core with atriums in the center and space for anchor tenants at both ends of the alleys, especially on the ground and first level. An extravagant idea was to close the southwest entrance to the parking lot on the ground allow for the formation of another large tenant and strengthen this area.

The most significant change was the relocation of the escalators connecting the ground floor and first floor. This relocation was associated with serious design challenges.

Especially important for the function of the shopping center was the excellent work of the leasing and property management team By accommodating tenants like  Reserved, Sport Depot, CCC, Betty Barclay, Scandal, The North Face and others, ground and first floor have emerged as a center of big brands.

The fashion brand Reserved, as a key tenant in the facility, opened here its biggest store in Bulgaria. The decision introduces the new concept of the fashion retailer - locating stores on two levels.

The interior

The new functional organization was developed into a naturally and completely renovated interior.

Often in such serious renovations have great challenge - to not close the mall during construction period.

This required designing the floors by stages and even by separate areas of the floors.

We set a clear vision for public spaces. We left the shop windows to bring color and variety in the interior. White glass columns on very delicate ground as decoration.

Clean smooth white ceiling with integrated LED lighting and RGB areas with indirect lighting. In this way we created an interesting play of light at different levels and changing colors of the indirect lighting on different floors allowed for additional color identity of the different floors.

Particular attention was paid to the "facades" of the three elevators in the central atrium. Print glass with fine frames were also reinforced with RGB lights synchronized illuminated in the colors of the respective floor.

The dining area - the busy area of the shopping center - the small internal "square" of the mall - has an entirely new look and spirit.

For the most part, the basic configuration of the stores is preserved in its original form. The wonderful visual contact with nearby South Park is preserved.

A novelty in the arrangement of the areas is the area near the southern facade. This new section is open in both directions - to the inner "square" and to the exterior. Expanded space with seating between new small fast-food outlets. Spacious outdoor terrace on the south facade involve outer space to the food court. There is a possibility the terrace to close in bad weather, so it is accessible to people throughout the year as weather conditions do not affect the comfort of the interior space.

Along with the increased accessible areas of food equipment courts, the bright range of colors in the interior give a serene look of the place In line with the style of interior in other areas of the mall, the design of the ceiling is an original pattern. The elements that compose it are open, with softened outlines painted white and, in general, create a feeling of translucency and lightness. Luminaires are entered into the ceiling without known.

The broad surfaces of furniture - tables and chairs have been designed also in white, complemented by brightly colored elements.

The furniture were designed by Volée Design Studio.

The exterior

The new functional organization and vision in the interior of the renovated Park Center had to find its reflection in the exterior of the building. Since the beginning of the project we looked for breaking the big scale of this type of objects. Bringing a human aspect is particularly important for such location - on the border between the busy traffic of the city and peaceful park.

Proximity to the main junction and the original façade solution allowed us to develop an idea that we had from the beginning of the project for promotional displays in each of the frames building facade. Major tenants immediately accepted the possibility of advertising and exhibition spaces in these fields turned both cars waiting at traffic lights and pedestrian traffic.

Closing the entrance to the outer surface parking, we decided to emphasize other two - entrances  between the city and the park with highlights from both sides.

A busy traffic designed the glass canopy , accented by RGB lighting colors, which impresses with its large scale, but with finesse and elegance.

We have a a significantly more “relaxed’ entrance from the Park , but it is very attractive with both Costa Coffee and cache bar facing the Park. By implementing the open terrace we have achieved a perfect opening of the eating areas.

With this new concept Park Center Sofia is positioned as an unique shopping center in the heart of Sofia, at the same time in the park - the perfect place to meet friends and spend time with family. Convenient location and various tenant  mix placed in the niche of everyday shopping, meetings and entertainment.

"A walk in the park or shopping in town?" The little gem  of Sofia - Park Center - offers both simultaneously.