Aviapark

Aviapark is a large shopping and entertainment centre in Moscow's Khoroshyovsky District, built on the former Khodynka Aerodrome site. The complex is organized as a six-storey retail and leisure destination with approximately 390,000 square metres of total floor area and about 230,000 square metres of leasable space. Its scale places it among Europe's largest shopping centres, although rankings vary according to the definition of gross area and the comparison set used. The centre opened in November 2014 after receiving an approved urban-development plan in June 2012 and beginning construction later that year. Its development was associated with AMMA Development, a company founded by Mikhail Zaits. The project was financed in part through a major construction loan from Gazprombank. Media reports in 2017 described a restructuring under which Aviapark Mall Holdings exercised an option to acquire the remaining stake associated with Gazprombank, leaving the bank outside the ownership structure reported at that time. Aviapark's commercial model combines a broad tenant mix with high-capacity entertainment and food-and-beverage uses. The centre has hosted large international and Russian retailers across fashion, sportswear, beauty, consumer electronics, home furnishings, children's goods, groceries and everyday services. Tenant names reported in connection with the mall have included Auchan, OBI, IKEA, Stockmann, Sephora, Zara, Adidas, Nike, Decathlon, Samsung, McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Lego, Xiaomi, M.Video, Sportmaster, H&M, Uniqlo, Zara Home, Massimo Dutti, Apple Store and other brands. Tenant rosters can change over time and should not be treated as a permanent directory. One of Aviapark's most distinctive attractions is a four-storey cylindrical aquarium extending through the retail interior. At 22.31 metres high, the aquarium was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest cylindrical aquarium. The attraction gives the centre a landmark feature beyond conventional shopping and supports its positioning as a destination for leisure visits as well as retail spending. The complex also includes Karo's 17-screen multiplex cinema, described in reference material as one of the largest multiplexes in Russia. The centre benefits from direct public-transport access. It is located a short walk from CSKA station on the Moscow Metro, making it accessible from central and northern Moscow as well as from surrounding residential districts. Aviapark therefore serves several overlapping audiences: local residents, metro users, families visiting the aquarium and cinema, and shoppers seeking a concentrated selection of national and international retailers. Its present-day tenant composition, operating ownership and financial performance are not fully established by the supplied material.

Aviapark was developed on the grounds of the former Khodynka Aerodrome in Moscow's Khoroshyovsky District. The project was associated with AMMA Development, founded by Mikhail Zaits. Urban planning approval in the form of a GPZU was obtained in June 2012, and construction began later that year. The development was planned as a large-scale retail and entertainment destination, with an opening target in the fourth quarter of 2014. Jones Lang LaSalle was appointed as leasing agent during the development process. The centre opened in November 2014. At launch, it was reported to contain more than 500 shops within a six-storey complex. Its scale—approximately 390,000 square metres of total area and roughly 230,000 square metres of leasable space—made it one of the largest shopping centres in Europe by commonly cited measures. The tenant strategy covered mass-market and premium fashion, sporting goods, electronics, home improvement, groceries, restaurants and family-oriented services. This breadth was intended to make Aviapark a destination capable of supporting both routine shopping and longer leisure visits. A defining architectural and visitor feature was the large cylindrical aquarium positioned within the retail area. Rising 22.31 metres through four storeys, it was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest cylindrical aquarium. The attraction differentiated Aviapark from a conventional enclosed mall and reinforced its family and tourism appeal. The complex also added a 17-screen Karo cinema, creating a substantial entertainment component alongside retail and dining. Aviapark's financing and ownership structure attracted attention during its development and subsequent restructuring. Gazprombank initially provided a reported $560 million construction loan. In 2017, press reports described the bank as having been involved at one point in the mall's ownership structure. Those reports said that Aviapark Mall Holdings exercised an option to acquire the remaining stake connected with Gazprombank as part of a restructuring, thereby removing the bank from the reported ownership arrangement. The supplied reference material does not establish the precise current legal ownership structure or provide audited operating figures. The centre's location has been supported by public transport. Aviapark is situated near the CSKA Moscow Metro station, from which the mall can be reached on foot in several minutes. Its location, size, entertainment attractions and extensive tenant roster have positioned it as a major shopping destination for Moscow residents and visitors. Retail occupancy and brand participation have changed over time, particularly as individual retailers enter, leave or alter their Russian operations; therefore, historical tenant lists should not be interpreted as a current directory.

• 2017

  Reported ownership restructuring

  [1]Aviaparken.wikipedia.org

  Reports described Aviapark Mall Holdings exercising an option to acquire the remaining stake associated with Gazprombank after a restructuring.

• 2014

  Shopping centre opens

  [1]Aviaparken.wikipedia.org

  Aviapark opened in November 2014 as a six-storey shopping and entertainment complex reported to have more than 500 shops.

• 2014

  Landmark aquarium becomes a defining attraction

  [1]Aviaparken.wikipedia.org

  The centre's 22.31-metre cylindrical aquarium became a major visitor feature and was recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest cylindrical aquarium in the world.

• 2012

  Approved development plan obtained

  [1]Aviaparken.wikipedia.org

  Aviapark received its GPZU, or approved urban-development plan, in June 2012. Construction began later that year on the former Khodynka Aerodrome site.

A large, destination-oriented Moscow shopping and entertainment centre combining extensive retail space, family attractions, dining and cinema access.

• Shopping and entertainment centre · 2014

  Aviapark shopping centre

  The core Aviapark offering is a six-storey enclosed shopping and entertainment complex in Moscow. It provides approximately 390,000 square metres of total area and about 230,000 square metres of leasable space, with tenants spanning fashion, sports, electronics, home, groceries, restaurants and services. Its scale and broad tenant mix are designed to support both everyday shopping and destination visits.

• Leisure attraction · 2014

  Aviapark cylindrical aquarium

  A four-storey cylindrical aquarium rises through the retail interior and measures 22.31 metres in height. It is one of Aviapark's principal architectural and family attractions and was recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest cylindrical aquarium in the world.

• Cinema and entertainment · 2014

  Karo Aviapark cinema

  Karo operates a 17-screen multiplex at Aviapark. The cinema expands the centre's role beyond retail and provides a large-scale entertainment anchor for evening, weekend and family visits.

• 2017

  Reported exercise of option to acquire Gazprombank-associated stakeM&A

  Background

  Gazprombank had reportedly provided a major construction loan and was described in media coverage as having been involved at one point in the mall's ownership structure.

  Action taken

  Aviapark Mall Holdings reportedly exercised an option to purchase the remaining stake associated with Gazprombank as part of a restructuring.

  Aftermath

  Reports stated that Gazprombank was removed from the ownership structure. The supplied material does not establish later ownership changes.

  Construction loan. $560 million (Initial project financing; date of loan origination not specified in the supplied reference)

  Source

• 2012

  Proceed with large-scale mixed retail and entertainment developmentStrategy

  Background

  The project was planned for the former Khodynka Aerodrome site as a major Moscow shopping destination combining retail, dining and leisure uses.

  Action taken

  Development proceeded after the approved urban-development plan was obtained in June 2012, with construction beginning later that year.

  Aftermath

  The centre opened in November 2014 with extensive retail space, a landmark aquarium and a large multiplex cinema.

  Source

1. 1Aviaparken.wikipedia.org
2. 2Aviapark official websiteaviapark.com