International award for two ECE centers
Renown ICSC Award received by Galeria Krakowska and Alstertal-Einkaufszentrum
Worldwide attention for ECE: At its CenterBuild Conference in Phoenix, USA, the „International Council of Shopping Centers“ (ICSC) has given the International Design and Development Merit Award 2008 to Galeria Krakowska (Krakow, Poland) and Alstertal-Einkaufszentrum (Hamburg, Germany). The Polish Galeria received the prize in the categorie “Innovative Design and Development” whereas Alstertal-Einkaufszentrum won the award in the category “Renovation or Expansion”. Both centers were developed and realized by ECE and are also under the company’s management.
ICSC honored Galeria Krakowska for the new architectonic standards the center was setting in Poland. The gallery has two roof-covered shopping malls and a trio of plazas representing themes characteristic of Krakow. Its more than 270 specialty shops, cafés and restaurants on three levels have been carefully tailored for the marketplace, including many retailers new to this inner city location.
As for Alstertal-Einkaufszentrum, ICSC stressed the spectacular artistic illumination of its façade and its illuminated water areas and sculptures. Sinse its expansion, Alstertal-Einkaufsentrum has been the largest shopping center in North Germany. Its architecture, brand and tenant mix, as well as its service were also praised by ICSC. The shopping center in Hamburg-Poppenbüttel has been modernized several times since its opening in 1970. Since 2006, AEZ and the surrounding area house a modern, cosmopolitan zone with piazza, cafes, restaurants, water features and an abundance of green. A further new feature is the impressive entrance portal with a bright glass-and-sandstone facade.
