Biggest Shopping Mall in Bulgaria Opens Doors in Varna

Sofia News Agency

Varna's Mayor Kiril Yordanov and Krasimir Uzunov, Executive Director of Mall Varna cut the ribbon and officially opened the biggest shopping center in Bulgaria Thursday.

The official ceremony began at 11 am in the presence of Varna's Deputy Regional Governor, the Chair of Varna's Municipal Council and many Varna residents. His Highness, Right Reverent of Varna and Veliki Preslav Kiril consecrated the newest and most modern commercial and shopping complex in Bulgaria.

Varna's Mayor stated that the quick construction of the Mall on two of Varna's major thoroughfares and the upcoming opening of the expanded "Hristo Smirnenski" boulevard was a prime example of good collaboration between private business and the municipal administration of the city.

The opening ceremony and show were hosted by Kamen Donev. The program included a cocktail, a percussion show by Kalin Veliov, a Nina Nikolina concert, fashion shows of the Astella and Esprit companies.

The concert of the "Music Idol 2" finalists: Toma, Denitsa, Nora and Yasen and the "Music Idol" participants from Varna Chanel and Yvo was the highlight of Thursday's program.

The parking garage with 800 parking spaces was able to accommodate the many Varna residents who came to see their city's newest attraction.

The program continues Friday with the coloring of the gigantic letters of the "Mall Varna" sign and other concerts and fashion shows.

Mall Varna has a total all-out build-up area of 70 000 square meters, including 33 000 square meters of commercial space. Its 150 stores have already been contracted for the maximum period of ten years. Brands such as New Yorker, Camper and Burger King will be represented for the first time in Bulgaria.

The mall in Bulgaria's Sea Capital will also have a children's center named Capella Play, and an ice skating facility called Avangard Ice, as well as the first "Arena " movie theater in the city with 1, 3 thousand seats and eight movie theaters.

The façade of the five-storey building of Mall Varna will be illuminated by a unique light show changing the light color every thirty minutes.

The Mall Varna was constructed by the Bulgarian Interservice Uzunovi Jsc. In the fall of 2007 it was bought by the Scottish Miller Developments, a subsidiary of Miller Group.

The price of EUR 120 M was record for the purchase of a commercial center in Bulgaria. This is also the second largest real estate deal in the country.