Experts comments

Evelyn Ishmetova, vice president of consulting at GVA Sawyer: “The main prevailing trend today – developers are announcing the ‘defrosting’ of projects.”

In 2012, the multi-functional real estate segment showed very poor results, in terms of introduction of new areas. In Moscow, only one MFC was launched – the ‘Hotel Moscow’. The Opening of the ‘Mercury City` MFC was postponed until 2013.

The main prevailing trend today – developers are announcing the ‘defrosting’ of projects, which did not seem possible during the crisis. Among the most significant projects are the MFC near the Crocus City in Moscow, Europa MFC and Asia MFC in Yekaterinburg and the Zeppelin MFC in Perm.

Moscow still holds a leading position in the number of new project announcements in 2012 – nearly 2 million sqm (including the ‘unfrozen’ ones). Second place goes to St. Petersburg, and third to Yekaterinburg.

It should be noted that some of the projects have changed their structure. For example, according to the pre-crisis concept of Moscow’s Lotus BC, 90% of the premises were to be taken up by offices. Now, according to a new concept, offices will occupy no more than 59,000 sqm, and the remaining areas will house suites (30,000 sqm) and stores. A second major project has also undergone reconception as well – the MFC located on Beregoviy Passage in Moscow.

Автор: Evelyn Ishmetova

cre.ru, February 14, 2013