„Hungary’s most beautiful shopping centre” has reached its structure-ready state
2010.11.16Váci1 Shopping Centre held its topping out ceremony on 19th October on the 3rd floor of the former Stock Exchange Building. One year after the beginning of construction work, the building has reached its structure-ready state. The majority owners and management team of Orco Group, potential and contracted tenants and prominent representatives of the Hungarian real-estate sector participated in the ceremony along with almost 30 members of international press.
Speeches were made by Jean-Francois Ott, CEO of Orco Property Group, Kornél Kalapács, Hungary’s Country Manager of Orco and Antal Rogán, mayor of Budapest district V.
Jean-Francois Ott emphasized: „Váci1 is a good example showing that it is always worth investing in new developments. Many foreign examples verify that smaller, centrally located shopping centres established in historical buildings can be the only way out of the crisis of the retail market. These venues offer a lot more than suburban shopping malls, since the structure and architecture of the building create an atmosphere that attracts customers.
Kornel Kalapács, Orco’s Country Manager in Hungary named and expressed his gratitude to all partners who contributed to the success of the project. He also said: „I am very proud to be responsible for such an outstanding development like Váci1. This project goes beyond all other retail developments in Budapest, thanks to the harmonious blend of historical and modern elements of the building and the outstanding composition of the tenants. Given the current economical situation, the success of the development is based on the purchasing –power of local citizens and tourists which is still remarkable in the area. This makes the Vaci1 project even more attractive and unique to everyone involved.”
Antal Rogán, mayor of Budapest district V expressed his delight in the ceremony, hoping to see more similar events in downtown Budapest in the future. According to the mayor’s speech, Vaci1 is an outstanding example that shows the co-existence of the future and the past in the city centre, proving that Budapest’s development did not stop in 1911 but is still going on.
After the ceremony, VIP-guests of ORCO Group were invited to the fascinating building of Paris Department Store, also owned by the company. The visitors were welcomed in the outstanding venue with first class food and drinks, a fashion show created by internationally acknowledged Hungarian fashion designers and a concert by the famous jazz-diva Veronika Harcsa.
Hungary’s most beautiful shopping centre is a genuine novelty, distinguishing itself from other shopping malls not only by its beauty and uniqueness but also by its communication methods. The fascinating building has an outstanding location, 1st class communication-awareness and human centered services. In the whole development process ORCO Group gave particular attention to energy efficiency, using the latest green technologies in every area.
„Hungary’s most beautiful shopping centre” is planned to open in September 2011.
