In May 2020, ALEJA shopping center opened its doors in the heart of Slovenia's capital city, Ljubljana. Now, the mixed-use shopping destination has succeeded in making it onto the winner’s podium of the highly prestigious Global RLI Awards. The newest of the five Slovenian centers owned by developer and operator SES Spar European Shopping Centers received the “Global RLI Award” in the “International Shopping Center – New Build” category in London on 23 September 2021. ALEJA prevailed as the most modern Slovenian shopping destination against other finalists from Serbia, Italy, and China. The prestigious award was virtually presented during an evening gala ceremony.
The “Global RLI Awards”, which are presented by Retail & Leisure International and are highly coveted within the industry, have honored innovative developments and visionary concepts from the retail and leisure sectors for the last 16 years. This year, as in previous years, the world's best shopping and leisure destinations were recognized in 13 categories.
Award Honors High Level of Customer Focus
There was a great deal of jubilation in London when SES shopping center ALEJA was announced as this year's winner of the prestigious award. When awarding the prize, the jury emphasized the tremendous contribution made by shopping centers in terms of customer focus, presentation of brands, merchandise and trends, maintenance, and – of particular importance during the pandemic – cleanliness and hygiene. According to the jury, a high level of service, diversity on offer, design excellence, and creating an appealing, real brick-and-mortar and digital experience for all visitors, were particularly important factors in the awarding of the prize.
“We are all extremely proud to have received this highly prestigious international award! We see this as recognition of our passion for developing vibrant shopping destinations that are of the highest customer relevance,” stated Christoph Andexlinger, Chief Operations Officer of SES, with enthusiasm.
“All-purpose” Shopping Center ALEJA Ljubljana
ALEJA Ljubljana, which was completed in 2020, boasts a unique, timelessly modern architectural design, a clear and straightforward concept, and an exceptional shopping and leisure offering that goes far beyond the usual. The heraldic symbol of the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana – the dragon – also inspired the architects to create the imposing exterior facade.The shopping center is characterized, first and foremost, by its mixed-use concept: It features 80 stores, first-class gastronomy, the first Planet Lollipop children's adventure world in Slovenia, and a rooftop sports and recreation zone measuring 6,200 m² – ALEJA SKY. A pump track circuit can also be found in front of the building. As a new district center, ALEJA has set new quality standards for retail properties both in the Slovenian capital as well as internationally. The successful combination of retail, gastronomy, and leisure was particularly praised by the jury.
SES and Its Shopping Centers Have Already Won Multiple International Awards
SES has already received several awards for a number of its shopping centers, most recently in 2017 when it won the “ICSC Regeneration Award 2017” for WEBERZEILE Ried. In 2011, SES was named “RLI Developer of the Year 2011” for its shopping center operations. The focus areas of the internationally recognized awards range from marketing to architecture to sustainability. The SES portfolio, which consists of 30 shopping destinations in six countries, also includes EUROPARK Salzburg, which was named the “World’s Best Shopping Center” by the ICSC in 2007 and received the ICSC European Shopping Center Award in 2017. ATRIO Villach received the “Most Sustainable Shopping Center” award from the ICSC in 2009.
FACTS AND FIGURES
GLA
32,000 m²
NUMBER OF JOBS
approx. 700
NUMBER OF SHOPS
80 (retail, gastronomy, service)
ANCHOR STORES
INTERSPAR hypermarket, Müller, Big Bang, XYZ, H&M, Hervis, MASS
PROJECT HISTORY
Construction period from summer 2017 to March 2020; Due to coronavirus-related lockdown, the center was opened in May 2020
PARKING SPACES
1,600 parking spaces, including 1,400 underground parking spaces as well as 200 spaces adjacent to the center; 200 bicycle parking spaces, including 100 covered spaces
SPECIAL FACILITIES
Leisure and catering hot spot with 6,200 m² of sports and leisure facilities available at “ALEJA SKY”, bicycle pump track circuit, food court covering 2,300 m², including an outdoor rooftop terrace, 500 m² of space at Planet Lollipop children’s adventure world, e-filling stations (13), connection to the City of Ljubljana bicycle network, car sharing, rest and diaper-changing rooms
DEVELOPER
SES Spar European Shopping Centers
INVESTMENT
More than EUR 150 million
PLANNING
ATP architekten ingenieure, Innsbruck