On February 9, 2016 in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of Galeria Tomaszów took place. The gallery will be the first modern shopping center in the city of Tomaszów Mazowiecki and the region. Construction works began on October 28th 2015 and the completion of the project is scheduled for autumn this year. The general contractor of Galeria Tomaszów is PORR Polska Construction S.A.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the investors – Craig Boshard representing Rockcastle Global Real Estate Company Limited and Tomasz Szewczyk representing Acteeum Group as well as the President of the city Marcin Witko, Starosty Mirosław Kukliński, the general contractor – PORR Polska Construction, the authors of the architectural project Mofo Architekci and others.
– Rockcastle is honored to be able to invest in the city of Tomaszów Mazowiecki. Galeria Tomaszów is the kind of shopping center we like: it’s in an excellent location, in a city which is in desperate need of a wider retail offering, and with a city government which is welcoming new investments and economic activity within its boundaries. No longer will the people of Tomaszow Mazowiecki have to travel to Łódź to access decent shopping and entertainment. Galeria Tomaszów will be cherished by the people and at the same time will be a nice asset in Rockcastle’s growing Polish portfolio – said Craig Boshard, Development Manager Rockcastle Poland Sp. o. o. representing Rockcastle Real Estate Company Limited
Tomasz Szewczyk, Managing Director of Acteeum Central Europe focused in his speech on the importance of the project for the development of the city and the region:
– In autumn this year Galeria Tomaszów will present a wide range of stores which we believe will satisfy the residents of the city and the region. Galeria Tomaszów will be the first modern shopping center in the city and that is why we pay special attention to the fact that the shopping center will be the new meeting place for all inhabitants and a new emblem of the city. The architecture of the project will pay tribute to the textile factory by incorporating part of the original architecture and implementing small references to the textile production in the interior design of Galeria Tomaszów. We believe that the combination of a complex of retail and service offer with friendly restaurants and cafes will create the perfect space for shopping and leisure activities. Galeria Tomaszów not only provides a commercial offer and add a new urban area to the city center, but it will also provide around 550 new working places partly during the construction process and partly during the post-opening operation of the center.
At the moment the construction of the building is ongoing. 285 workers are on site on behalf of both the general contractor and 10 subcontractors. Next milestone in the realization of the investment is the closing of the building, which is scheduled for June this year followed by the handover of the shop units to the tenants.
Galeria Tomaszów is a 17 000 sqm shopping center offering 75 shop units and anchored by an Intermarche supermarket with an area of over 2 300 thousand sqm. The shopping center will serve over 210 thousand citizens of the city and the region. Among the tenants of Galeria Tomaszów are H&M, Reserved, House, Cropp Town, Sinsay, Diverse, 4F, RTV Euro AGD, CCC, Rossmann, Pharmacy Benefactor.
The project design incorporates an existing historic building of the textile factory and facades and interiors breathe an industrial flavor. The widening of the Barlickiego street will increase safety and allow for proper servicing of the traffic generated by the shopping center. Additional pedestrian and bicycle paths will be provided as well as special facilities for the disabled and families with small children. The integration of the object with the city public space of Park Bulwary is planned. Galeria Tomaszów will apply for a BREEAM certificate indicating the ecological standard of the object. The planned grand opening of the shopping center is scheduled for autumn 2016.
During the ceremony, the foundation act was signed by the representatives of the investor Rockcastle Global Real Estate Company Limited Craig Boshard and Acteeum Group Tomasz Szewczyk, President of the city Martin Witko, Starosty Mirosław Kukliński, General Contractor PORR Andrzej Rogiński and priest Edward Wieczorek.
After the signing, the foundation act was placed in a brass tube and solemnly placed in the cornerstone which is laid under the construction of the object. Both the cornerstone and investment area were symbolically blessed by the priest of saint Anthony.