Aupark

Aupark is a shopping and entertainment centre in the Petržalka borough of Bratislava, Slovakia. It stands beside the Danube near the Nový most bridge and the public park Sad Janka Kráľa, a location that historically was also known as Aupark. The centre is accessible from Bratislava by road and public transport and forms part of the commercial landscape on the southern side of the city. The shopping centre was developed by the Slovak property company HB Reavis on land that had previously been occupied by residential parts of the former Old Petržalka village. Several local streets in the area were removed before the centre was built. Construction took place from 2000 to 2001, and Aupark opened to the public on 15 November 2001. At opening, it was described as the largest shopping mall in Slovakia, with approximately 44,000 square metres of shopping space. It was the second major modern shopping centre established in Bratislava after Polus City Center. Aupark subsequently expanded its retail, leisure and entertainment offer. In 2005, the complex briefly included an aquapark occupying about 4,700 square metres on the roof and part of the second floor. A second construction phase began in January 2006. This phase used space beside Sad Janka Kráľa that had previously served as parking and also included a nearby high-rise commercial building. The enlarged complex opened on 23 August 2007. Its total area increased to approximately 58,000 square metres, and the centre included a 12-screen multiplex cinema operated at the time by Palace Cinemas. Ownership changed in stages during the centre's development. In 2006, Unibail-Rodamco acquired approximately half of Aupark from HB Reavis. In 2011, Unibail-Rodamco acquired the remaining interest from HB Reavis, together with an adjoining vacant lot. These transactions made the international property group the sole owner according to the cited historical account, although the current ownership structure is not established in the supplied material. Between 2013 and 2015, Aupark underwent a modernisation programme reported at approximately €40 million. The work focused particularly on the underground passage, the main entrance lobby, food courts and cafés. The lobby's glass-floor stairs were replaced by escalators, and the interior fountain was altered. Through these phases, Aupark developed from a large retail complex into a mixed shopping, dining and entertainment destination serving Bratislava and the surrounding region. Its identity is closely linked to its prominent urban setting beside a major bridge, a historic park and the Danube.

The site of Aupark was formerly part of the built-up area of the Old Petržalka village. Before construction, the area included residential houses and streets including Pri sade, Platanová, Dostihová and Koševého. These streets and buildings were demolished before the shopping centre was developed. HB Reavis constructed Aupark between 2000 and 2001. The centre opened on 15 November 2001 and was initially completed with approximately 44,000 square metres of shopping space. It became the second major modern shopping centre in Bratislava after Polus City Center and was described at the time as the largest shopping mall in Slovakia. The complex expanded its leisure offer in 2005 with a temporary aquapark of approximately 4,700 square metres, located on the roof and part of the second floor. A larger redevelopment phase began in January 2006. It involved building over or alongside parking areas near Sad Janka Kráľa and constructing a nearby high-rise commercial building. The enlarged facilities opened on 23 August 2007. After the expansion, Aupark had approximately 58,000 square metres of total space and included a 12-screen multiplex cinema operated at that time by Palace Cinemas. The centre's ownership also changed during this period. Unibail-Rodamco bought approximately half of Aupark from HB Reavis in 2006. In 2011, it acquired the remainder from HB Reavis together with an adjoining vacant lot. The supplied historical source does not identify the current owner or operator. From 2013 through 2015, Aupark underwent a major modernisation. The project concentrated on the underground pedestrian passage, the main lobby, food courts and cafés. Changes included replacing glass-floor stairs in the principal lobby with escalators and modifying the interior fountain. Aupark's development reflects the growth of large-format retail and leisure facilities in Bratislava, while its location beside Nový most, the Danube and Sad Janka Kráľa gives it a distinctive urban setting. The name also has a historical connection to the adjacent park, which was formerly known as Aupark.

• 2015

  Modernisation completed

  [1]Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org

  The reported modernisation programme concluded after improvements to circulation areas, dining areas and interior features.

• 2013

  Modernisation begins

  [1]Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org

  Aupark began a multi-year modernisation affecting the underground passage, entrance lobby, food courts and cafés.

• 2011

  Full acquisition by Unibail-Rodamco

  [1]Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org

  Unibail-Rodamco acquired the remaining interest in Aupark and a neighbouring vacant lot from HB Reavis.

• 2007

  Expansion opens

  [1]Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org

  The second phase opened on 23 August, expanding Aupark to approximately 58,000 square metres and adding a multiplex cinema.

• 2006

  Partial acquisition by Unibail-Rodamco

  [1]Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org

  Unibail-Rodamco acquired approximately half of the centre from HB Reavis.

• 2005

  Temporary aquapark added

  [1]Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org

  Aupark briefly hosted an aquapark measuring approximately 4,700 square metres.

• 2002

  First construction phase completed

  [1]Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org

  The first phase of the centre's construction was completed in spring 2002.

• 2001

  Aupark opens

  [1]Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org

  Aupark opened on 15 November with approximately 44,000 square metres of shopping space.

• 2000

  Construction begins

  [1]Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org

  HB Reavis began construction of the Aupark shopping centre in Petržalka.

A major urban shopping and entertainment destination in Bratislava, combining retail, dining and leisure facilities with a prominent location beside the Danube and Sad Janka Kráľa.

• Shopping and entertainment centre · 2001

  Aupark shopping centre

  Aupark is a large urban retail complex offering shops, food and beverage venues, leisure facilities and shopping-centre services. Its development included approximately 44,000 square metres of shopping space at opening and approximately 58,000 square metres after the 2007 expansion. The centre occupies a prominent site beside Nový most, the Danube and Sad Janka Kráľa in Bratislava's Petržalka borough.

• Entertainment · 2007

  Multiplex cinema

  The 2007 expansion included a 12-screen multiplex cinema. The facility was operated by Palace Cinemas at the time described in the historical source; its current operator is not established in the supplied material.

• Leisure · 2005

  Aquapark

  Aupark briefly included an aquapark measuring approximately 4,700 square metres. It was located on the roof and part of the second floor and operated in 2005. The supplied material does not indicate that the facility remains in operation.

• 2013

  Modernisation programme launchedStrategy

  Background

  After its initial construction and expansion, Aupark initiated a broad refurbishment intended to update visitor circulation and dining areas.

  Action taken

  Work was carried out between 2013 and 2015 on the underground passage, main lobby, food courts and cafés. The reported programme value was approximately €40 million.

  Aftermath

  The centre's internal circulation and public areas were substantially redesigned, including replacement of glass-floor stairs with escalators and modification of the interior fountain.

  Reported modernisation investment. €40 million (2013-2015)

  Source

• 2011

  Unibail-Rodamco acquires the remaining interestM&A

  Background

  After acquiring approximately half of Aupark in 2006, Unibail-Rodamco pursued full ownership of the centre.

  Action taken

  Unibail-Rodamco bought the remaining interest from HB Reavis together with a neighbouring vacant lot for a reported €151 million.

  Aftermath

  The cited account describes Unibail-Rodamco as having acquired the entire Aupark property, although current ownership is not confirmed by the supplied material.

  Reported acquisition price. €151 million (2011)

  Source

• 2006

  Unibail-Rodamco purchases a partial interestM&A

  Background

  Aupark was developed by HB Reavis and was expanding its retail and leisure offer. Unibail-Rodamco entered the ownership structure by acquiring approximately half of the centre.

  Action taken

  Unibail-Rodamco acquired approximately 50 percent of Aupark from HB Reavis for a reported €75 million.

  Aftermath

  The transaction made Unibail-Rodamco a major co-owner before it later acquired the remaining interest.

  Reported acquisition price. €75 million (2006)

  Source

1. 1Aupark Bratislavaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Aupark Bratislava official websiteaupark-bratislava.sk