New large outlet mall to open near Brussels
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After Maasmechelen and Messancy, a third large retail outlet will open next year in Tubize, at 25 kms distance from Brussels. The French investment Samfi-Invest allocates around 100 million Euros for the creation of the new complex named ‘Tubize Outlet Mall’ (TOM). It is to take place within the Quartier des Confluents, on the former Duferco steel manufacturing site the 80 hectares of brownfields of Clabecq.
The masterplan of the ‘Quartier des Confluents’ includes around 780 housing units to be built together with leisure activities infrastructures and services for the population. Two schools, a crèche, a medical house, a senior service residence and a SME business park should also see the light of day in this new district.
This retail project is taking place in the context of a retail offer which, according to the professionals in the sector is saturated in Belgium and that any new opening would be to the detriment of others. All the specialists are unanimous in asserting that the TOM will be the last Belgian project in this area, as the entire territory is now largely covered. The catchment area of the outlet is particularly wide since it has 7 million potential visitors, covering the center of Belgium, the north of France and the south of the Netherlands. According to François Honoré, CEO of GeoConsulting, the proximity of the mall to Brussels is a real asset. It is also located in Walloon Brabant, near cities with high purchasing power.
TOM will have a capacity of around 80 commercial spaces (shops, restaurants and other services) from which, according to L’Echo, 30 % is already let, and another 30 % is in final discussion with future tenants. The outlet mall should attract around 1,5 million visitors per year; 1,100 underground parking spaces will therefore be built to welcome them. The marketing of commercial spaces has been entrusted to the French company StarConcept Outlet management. According to Didier Falla, leasing and development manager: “The outlet market is holding up particularly well in Europe for the moment, the crisis we are experiencing is in fact mainly benefiting this segment."”.The 20 major retailers which will be driving this new shopping will be announced in June.
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Designed by B2Ai architects, the mall is modern and sleek with large windows, spacious interiors, and a vast central atrium. TOM is designed for a unique shopping experience, with a clear circulation path and easy access to all stores. It has been created for families and children with playgrounds and a diversified food offering.”
Sustainability for the new buildings is a priority for the developers. The urban design has been carefully planned to take advantage of maximum sunlight, use of renewable energy sources (hundreds of solar panels are installed on the roof) and be exemplary for the waste and rainwater management via underground containers.
The Outlet Mall rooftop will be ‘greened’ by the company Terrae. It is said by the developers to become one of the largest rooftops in Europe. Jessica Sbaraglia, founder of Terrae, gives more details about the project: “Urban farming will be encouraging healthier food and local production. 9,500 m2 of the rooftop will be cultivated with vegetables, fruits, honey and aromatic plants. Via the morning markets, some restaurants in the complex and inhabitants from the neighbourhood will be able to buy the products.”
In this video >>https://bit.ly/3ma92Ph , Hear Michel Januth, Mayor of Tubize, explaining why and how the outlet serves the local business instead of competing with the retail offer already existing in Tubize city centre. Also hear Pascal Seret, leading the project, explaining how the project was endorsed by the residents through pre-information and consultation meetings.
Read more in the Trends report >> https://trends.levif.be/immo/un-troisieme-larron-se-lance-dans-la-guerre-des-outlet-malls/