Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2012 | Page 26

Photo: Citycon Oyj

West coast has been active on the green
front as well. Located in Turku, Skanssi shopping centre received its LEED certification in spring 2010. Skanssi grabbed
points for energy efficiency, site waste management, use of materials, indoor environmental quality, landscaping and landscape
management. Additional points were added
for the excellent public transportation connections to the centre as well as the centre’s
parking lot which has many spaces reserved
for low-emission vehicles.

Driven by Design?
In addition to the environmental mindset, the
barometer respondents identified the growth
of e-commerce and digital services as new
emerging trends. Shopping Centre Barometer also revealed that shopping centres have
high hopes for 2012. Sales growth expectations for 2012 are positive despite the uncertain economic outlook.
Respondents also reported that total
sales have developed well in 2011 compared
to the year before, but they also expect differences to grow between different shopping
centres and retail sectors.
In 2012 Helsinki and her partner cities
celebrate the World Design Capital 2012 –
and from the looks of it, shopping centres
are eager to take part in the festivities. The
24 Nordicum

renewed Kluuvi Shopping Centre opened its
doors again in October 2011 in downtown
Helsinki, providing a wealth of experiences
for the people. Christmas shoppers got to enjoy, for instance, pop up action, exciting new
retails concepts and all-natural delicacies.

erations as well: during 2012–2014 Forum
wants to add another 8,000 square metres
which translates into 20 new stores.
The ‘grandmother’ of the capital region shopping centres will remain committed to fashion, leisure-time activities and diverse restaurant offering.

Wanted: Beauty Treatment
Another shopper’s delight is City-Center, located just off the main railway station. The
complex owner Sponda is refurbishing CityCenter into a pleasant, bright and safe commercial centre – as well as a meeting point and
place of work for thousands of people daily.
The project is expected to be ready in 2012.
The revamped City-Center offers modern retail and office premises on ten floors.
One key element here is the perfect marriage
of light and space, as a massive glass roof at
the heart of the building now allows natural
light to flood the space, providing backdrop
for five floors of fashion, leisure and sports
goods and products for the home – together with restaurants and cafés.
Located a couple of stone throws away
from City-Center, we find Forum – the oldest shopping centre in Helsinki (raised just
in time for the 1954 Olympics). What started as a two-storey wooden building, has now
taken over an entire city block. Nevertheless, Forum is looking to upgrade its op-

New Kid on the Block
While the old shopping centres are reinventing themselves, new projects are being
developed as well. Perhaps the mo