Uberlândia, Brazil, February 8th 2010
Scheduled to be inaugurated in 2011
Sonae Sierra begins construction of Uberlândia Shopping in Brazil
- An investment of €62 million (R$ 160 million).
- The centre will create 700 jobs during the construction phase, and more than 2000 after the inauguration
- 201 shops, 11 of which of large dimensions, a Walmart hypermarket and 6 Cinemark cinemas
- Architectural concept and decoration inspired by the colours and textures of the local savannah
Sonae Sierra, through its subsidiary, Sonae Sierra Brazil, has just begun the construction of Uberlândia Shopping, a shopping centre in the region of the Mineiro Triangle which represents a total investment of €62 million. Scheduled to be inaugurated in 2011, this project, located in the southern region of the city of Uberlândia, will be developed in an area of 154,000 m2.
During the construction of this new shopping centre, about 700 jobs will be created, and 2.000 new jobs are expected for after the inauguration.
Uberlândia Shopping will have two levels with a total of 37,600 m2 of GLA (Gross Lettable Area) in the first phase, with a total of 166 satellite shops, 11 large dimension shops, 21 restaurants, a Walmart hypermarket, and 6 last generation Cinemark cinemas, in a total of 201 shops. Uberlândia will feature a parking lot with 2,400 spaces, and another one for bicycles, connected to the city's urban bicycle path.
"We aim increasingly at the consolidation of our brand through investments in new, modern and innovative shopping centres. Uberlândia Shopping is Sonae Sierra's first development in the state of Minas Gerais, which we consider to have market potential", explains, João Pessoa Jorge, CEO of Sonae Sierra Brasil.
An architectural concept inspired by the local savannah
The architectural project - designed by José Quintela da Fonseca, Sonae Sierra's head of Concept and Architectural Development - is inspired by the exuberant vegetation and natural aspects of the local tropical savannah, which is visible in the decoration of Uberlândia Shopping through the use of colours and textures present in the region, as well as natural elements such as the stones that will be used in the façades and corridors, or the "Ipê" tree - one of the biggest symbols of the local flora - which will be highlighted in the landscaping project, and even inspired the centre's logo.
The asymmetry and distinguished geometrical shapes prevail in the architectural concept, which privileges large glass areas to take better advantage of natural light. The centre will have an astounding view over the entire city, particularly on the second level, where the food court will be located, with more than 1,000 seats and a large outdoor terrace with capacity for 100 seats.
A green centre, with concern for Safety & Health
Like other projects developed by Sonae Sierra, Uberlândia Shopping complies with the most rigorous requirements established by the Company's Environmental Management System. The centre will adopt the most modern eco-efficient solutions, aiming at the reduction of energy and water consumption, and the obtainment of environmental certification ISO 14001 for the construction management, like the Manauara Shopping, in Manaus.
The new centre will also feature automated centralized technical management systems of the last generation, highly efficient energy supply, and a rain water collection system, which will supply the fire-fighting grid, irrigation and cleaning of the centre.
Another objective for the construction phase of Uberlândia Shopping is the obtainment of Health & Safety certification, under the OSHAS 18001 standard (Evaluation System for Safety & Health at Work). In 2008, Sonae Sierra was the first company in the industry, in Europe and Brazil to obtain this certification for a shopping centre in operation.
Sonae Sierra, http://www.sonaesierra.com/, is an international shopping centre specialist, with a passion for bringing innovation and excitement to the shopping centre industry. The Company owns 52 Shopping Centres in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Romania and Brazil, with a total Gross Lettable Area (GLA) of more than 2 million m2. Currently, Sonae Sierra has 3 projects under construction and 9 new projects in different phases of completion in Portugal, Italy, Germany, Greece, Romania and Brazil. In 2009 our Shopping Centres had more than 436 million visits.
Sonae Sierra Brasil, www.sonaesierra.com.br, is a shopping centre specialist with an expertise of international partners: Portugal's Sonae Sierra and U.S.A.'s DDR (Developers Diversified Realty). The company owns and manages 10 shopping centres under operation, and has an ongoing expansion strategy with the development of three new projects.