Globe Trade Centre S.A. recently celebrated the grand opening of Galeria Północna, the first high-end shopping and entertainment center to open its doors in the northeastern district of Warsaw, Poland’s capital and the ninth most populous city in the European Union. Galeria Północna connects customers with exclusive retail brands at a convenient, architecturally pleasing location, complete with more than 20 restaurants and cafes, a full-sized hypermarket and a cinema.

Globe Trade Centre S.A., a global real estate company based in Eastern Europe, selected Hill International, Inc. to help achieve their vision of a retail destination with renowned national and international tenants. Hill provided project management, quantity surveying, inspection supervision and tenant coordination support.

On September 13, 2017, the Hill team joined Thomas Kurtzman and Piotr Kroenke of Globe Trade Centre S.A., General Contractor Unibep S.A. and more than 1,000 guests for a press conference and grand opening party. Notably, the project represents one of the first such achievements in Warsaw in more than a decade.

“Working on such a huge project with many involved parties is the kind of challenge Hill welcomes,” explains Hill Senior Project Manager Robert Szymanski. “In addition to overseeing the General Contractor, we managed dozens of independent tender packages for roads, trams, fountains, furniture, light design and interactive light execution, sculptures and more. We’re very happy Hill’s efforts were recognized by the client, and that the opening was a big success.”

Galeria Północna changes the landscape of Warsaw’s retail market for several reasons. Historically, customers had to travel long distances to shopping centers offering a wide selection of products and popular brands. This logistical challenge, combined with  growing demand for quality shopping and leisure experiences in Warsaw, created an ideal opportunity to build the first “next generation” retail complex within direct range of Warsaw’s young people and families. In addition, Galeria Północna offers various new customer service incentives, such as product discounts, free concerts, celebrity meet-and-greets and other promotions.

Designed by APA Wojciechowski and Tzur Architects, the project entails approximately 64,000 SM of leasable space, with a total area of 200,000 SM in the Bialoleka area of Warsaw. The complex encompasses 250 retail units, 2,000 above and underground parking spaces, 11 halls, a dining area and entertainment facilities. Other features include a multiplex cinema, fitness center and publically accessible rooftop with a garden, walking paths and a playground. Work from local Polish artists, a water fountain and an illuminated kinetic sculpture provide a welcoming, attractive environment. To achieve green building standards, Globe Trade Centre S.A. plans to obtain LEED Gold certification.

Galeria Północna has attracted many globally recognized brands, including Cinema City, LPP Group, Carrefour, H&M, TK Maxx, Guess, Sephora, New Yorker, Forever 21, Hamleys, Starbucks, Ethno Cafe, Bierhalle, McDonald’s, Makarun and Culinary Workshop.

Project Video: https://youtu.be/aOuKYSwBzqM
Client Website: http://gtc.com.pl/projekt/galeria-polnocna-2/
Galeria Północna Mall: http://www.galeriapolnocna.pl/