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projekty / projects MALOOBCHOD / RETAIL
to cease operation? You can certainly hear such allegations... You are right, I do, but I do not share this concern. Some of the small shops might close but I don’t think that those premises will stay empty for long. They will be replaced with other vendors or services that will be very competent with quality and will suitably complete the absent structure of shops and services within the whole centre. And let’s admit it - we are just people. If I don’t need to visit a large complex and can do with a normal store with a street entrance, I’ll use it. This will create healthy competition, which is after all mainly good for consumers, those being the residents of Kladno.
A new and for Kladno the very. significant commercial project. Central Kladno by Crestyl will. be opened in an area of. 26,000 sq m on 20th March..
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he town with a population of about 72,000 people has so far lacked something like that. Even Radim Sayed, business manager at Crestyl, agrees with that. In the interview with Development News he spoke about the issue of building preparation on the former plot of a mine as well as about exceptional co-operation with the LEGO® company. I believe I am right in assuming that the Central Kladno project was demanding in all its aspects… You are right, but that is nothing unusual as if you want to build in a centre of any larger town, or nearby a pedestrian zone, it is very difficult to find a potentially complete building plot. As for our project in Kladno, it was also more difficult due to the area’s former function. Moreover, the outline plan didn’t cover the whole part of this plot and did not, therefore, allow for immediate construction. The plan needed to be changed which took more than four years. However, when you now look at the centre of Kladno as a complex, our effort was worth it. It should definitely be worth it as Central Kladno has a significant influence on the centre as such. Our intention is to revive the centre of Kladno as we didn’t believe the dogma that all citizens of Kladno work in Prague so they also shop there
and also have several retail units ‘on the way’ and can stop there. … and the centre of Kladno is depopulated. Exactly! We are trying to fend off this trend with our project. Young people, the elderly and families with children will return to the centre of Kladno due to our new shopping centre, which is within reach of Kladno pedestrian zone. Some will come back for entertainment, others for shopping or just to relax. What will Central Kladno offer within this area? It is a fully-fledged shopping centre of the third generation, able to compete with its equipment against similar buildings in Prague without any difficulty. Apart from standard shops with clothing and footwear, there are also shops with sportswear, chemist’s and medical goods. And of course a creche, disabled friendly WC and baby changing tables. People can come to a 5D cinema and/or just for coffee. By the way, our food court will really be versatile and also quite extensive size wise. It sounds as if the whole area was already leased... It almost is – 95% of the premises have already been signed up and 85% of all offered units for shops and services will be opened for visitors on the day of inauguration. I must say that those really are great numbers. Yes, we are more than satisfied with them. Aren’t you concerned about the opinions of those who will say that the shopping centre will force small shops from within its neighbourhood
Let’s move on – I noticed on the shopping centre’s website a direct footbridge leading to the first floor. I think that that is quite an interesting move... This footbridge is a great idea and also a priceless service for our visitors from a comfort point of view as well as in relationship to their safety. If you walk here and are coming from the city centre, you don’t need to cross the busy Petra Bezruče Street, which would also mean going down the stairs, waiting for a green light at the traffic lights and then cross. When you use the footbridge, you can walk directly, comfortably and safely. I find this sensible and logical. The permanent exhibition of the LEGO® Gallery of Bricks will probably be the biggest attraction of Central Kladno. This could also attract Prague residents to Kladno... Not just them! Let’s not forget that the catchment area of Kladno represents some 16,000 people and the LEGO® company is one of the most significant employers within the region as well as the largest company in Kladno. Work on the models of gems of global architecture has already been in existence on the basis of our order for eight months! The leaning tower of Pisa, London’s Tower Bridge and the Great Wall of China are really amazing! When I saw these prepared models, I was lost for words. But Prague’s Main Railway Station will be the largest. This model is a genuine copy of the reconstructed building and when you look at a bookshop, for instance, you will really see books there! There will be trains and the underground and escalators will also be in operation. It’s really a wonderful attraction. With this exhibition that will, by the way, be entrance free of charge, we pay tribute to LEGO® and the town of Kladno per se. JÁN CHOVANEC / PHOTO: CRESTYL, CENTRAL KLADNO
dn 3/2015
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