Press Release - September 26th 2006
Integration of innovative commercial and architectural solutions distinguished
Luz del Tajo elected Spain's "Best Shopping Centre"
Sonae Sierra has just had Shopping and Leisure Centre Luz del Tajo, in Toledo, distinguished by the Spanish Shopping Centre Association (AECC), in the "Best Large Shopping Centre" category, during the 10th Spanish Shopping Centres Congress. These awards are handed out by the AECC every two years, and their purpose is to distinguish the most important projects in the sector.
While appreciating Luz del Tajo, the jury valued the optimization of the available space through an adequate and attractive commercial and architectural solution, as well as a service offer adapted to the surrounding environment.
Inaugurated in September 2004 in Toledo, this shopping centre is harmoniously integrated in the city's architecture, and has contributed to the revitalizing and improvement of the regions commercial offer. As for its differentiating characteristics, the Luz del Tajo was the first Spanish shopping and leisure centre to obtain the ISO 170.001-2 Access System Certification for the handicapped, and to adopt Sonae Sierra's Environmental Management System, certified by the ISO 14001 standard.
Álvaro Portela, Sonae Sierra's CEO, states: "This is a very important award for us, since it proves, once again, that the professionals in this sector acknowledge Sonae Sierra's effort in the investment, development and management of Shopping and Leisure Centres. As the specialists we are, this acknowledgement motivates us to carry on following our motto, "Passionate about Innovation", adapting our shopping centres to the needs of citizens".
Zubiarte awarded for the "Best Charity Campaign"
In the same congress, the AECC has also distinguished the Zubiarte, in Bilbao, with the award for the "Best Charity Campaign", due to the "5 Euskadi Faces" initiative. Co-owned by Sonae Sierra and ING Real Estate, this shopping and leisure centre promoted a contest in which visitors chose the five personalities most representative of the social and cultural life of Euskadi, with the purpose of collecting funds for five NGOs.
This campaign held by the Zubiarte is an example of Sonae Sierra's Corporate Responsibility Policy, which applies to all shopping and leisure centres in the company's portfolio, ensuring their management respects the sustainability of economic, environmental and social principles.
Sonae Sierra, www.sonaesierra.com, is an international shopping centre specialist, with a passion for bringing innovation and excitement to the shopping and leisure centre industry. The Company owns or co-owns 39 Shopping Centres in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and Brazil, with a total Gross Lettable Area (GLA) of more than 1,6 million m2. Currently, Sonae Sierra is developing 14 more projects in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece and Brazil, with a total GLA of more than 480.000 m2. The company has earned an international reputation for the innovation of its products and its management capacity, and has gathered more international awards than any other company in its sector.