INTU COSTA DEL SOL TO FEATURE INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO ZONING BY GABRIELLE

BY GABRIELLE

Intu, owner of a number of the largest retail and entertainment destinations in Spain and the UK, has announced it is bringing an entirely new approach to zoning.

The new zoning design will see a set of distinct neighbourhoods built at its flagship global resort development, intu Costa del Sol in Torremolinos, Spain. Each area will be designed to deliver a unique experience for guests.

The Lake zone will provide fun for guests at all times. The Arena will feature the stage for the park’s highly anticipated performances. The Hills area will be the place where guests can wine, dine and relax.

The Hood will be a hub of creative energy. The Boulevard will be designed in a Mediterranean style and Wonderland will be a themed world made to entertain and enthral children. The Gallery zone will be the resort’s shopping hub and Central Park will be the heart of the entire development.

Martin Breeden, development director for intu, commented: “Designed to be a resort like no other, intu Costa del Sol is breaking the mould across many aspects. These neighbourhoods will be instrumental in ensuring the resort has something for everyone, allowing each and every visitor to have a unique experience and create memories for life.”

Ian Sandford, project director for intu Costa del Sol and president of intu’s JV partner Eurofund, said: “What sets intu Costa del Sol apart is our approach, rooted in an ethos born from the need for a refreshing new way of thinking. The neighbourhood approach is a vital part of this, and one that we believe will truly make the project stand out on the world stage.”

FIRST THREE OPERATORS ANNOUNCED FOR INTU COSTA DEL SOL

BY GABRIELLE

Intu, owner of several of the largest and most popular retail destinations in the UK and Spain, together with Eurofund, has agreed Heads of Terms with three operators for its intu Costa del Sol resort project in the south of Spain.

The agreement follows an earlier announcement that the 2.5 million sq. ft. amusement park project on the Costa del Sol received its General ‘PGOU’ License (Plan General de Ordenación Urbana) in September.

One of the operators to have signed the Heads of Terms agreement is Yelmo Films, trading as Yelmo Cines, which is providing a 9,500 sq. mt., 16-screen innovative cinema, which is located in The Lakes area of the resort. The Lakes is one of its eight themed areas in the park.

Yelmo Cines’s country manager, Fernando Evole, commented: “It is a pleasure and such an opportunity for Yelmo Cines to be part of a project as special as intu Costa del Sol. The creativity and innovation behind the commercial concept as well as the size of the opportunity are the two key factors that have convinced us to design the best cinema here that you can imagine.”

Wave House International has also signed the agreement with intu Costa del Sol. The company will be providing the resort with its surfpark concept, which will be situated in The Hood area. The attraction comprises of a 4,300m2 surf pool, which offers guests everyday surfing, special event competitions, a Wave Club and Surf School.

Thomas J. Lochtefeld, CEO and founder of Wave House International, spoke about the intu Costa del Sol project: “The Wave House surfpark and entertainment lifestyle venue is coming to the most exciting retail development in the world: intu Costa Del Sol. A shopping resort with this vision, scale and ambition is the ultimate place to launch Wave House 2.0 in Europe.

“Powered by our Surf Loch Wave Systems, Wave House offers a taste of the surfing lifestyle – music and delicious food and drinks overlooking real ocean waves, ridden by real surfers, and only found at intu Costa Del Sol,” said Lochtefeld.

Gran Teatro Bankia Príncipe Pío, Santiago Segura, José Mota y Luis Álvarez, known as Gran Teatro Costa del Sol, is the third brand to sign a Heads of Terms with the Costa del Sol resort. The company is providing the site’s theatre, located in The Lakes themed region.

The multi-purpose 4,000m2 theatre will seat 1,200 guests over two tiers. It will attract leading entertainment from around the world, including theatre productions, music, comedy and cultural acts.

Martin Breeden, development director for intu, remarked: “We have made a strong start on leasing intu Costa del Sol following a series of discussions with multiple operators over the last 18 months. These agreements give a strong indication of the types of operators we’re able to attract.”

intu Costa del Sol is due to open in 2023. The resort is located to the north of Torremolinos and is expected to attract around 29 million visitors a year.

NEW RETAIL AND LEISURE RESORT PLANNED FOR COSTA DEL SOL

BY GABRIELLE

Intu, specialists in helping retailers and brands flourish, is planning to open a 2.5m sq. ft. retail and leisure centre on Spain’s Costa del Sol.

The 800-million-euro resort will be known as intu Costa del Sol and will feature theme park rides and attractions, as well as open-air skiing, an aquarium and hotels.

Combining retail, leisure and hospitality, intu Costa del Sol will be home to over 20 leisure activities, two hotels, 70-plus restaurants, a beach club, and a 5,000-person concert venue.

Located in Torremolinos in the Malaga province of southern Spain, the new resort will be made up of eight different areas, a year-round circus, extensive parks and gardens and the largest urban farm in Spain.

The go ahead for intu Costa del Sol was awarded in September 2019. Work will commence on the park in 2020, with opening scheduled for 2023.

Matthew Roberts, chief executive of intu, commented: “This significant milestone opens the door to the next stage of the project.”

“intu Costa del Sol will be a resort like no other, bringing together international brands and global visitors in an unforgettable location surrounded by the very best in entertainment and leisure.

“We are having positive discussions with brands eager to join the scheme, as well as potential partners to help bring the project to fruition,” Roberts added.

The leisure, retail and hospitality site is expected to attract more than 23 million visitors a year.

INTU COSTA DEL SOL GETS THE GO AHEAD IN SPAIN

 BY GABRIELLE

Intu, owner of several of the largest and most popular retail sites in Spain and the UK, has been given the green light to build an ambitious new retail and entertainment venue on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain.

The company has announced it has been awarded a General ‘PGOU’ License (Plan General de Ordenación Urbana), paving the way to take the project to the next level.

The €800m retail and leisure resort will stretch for 2.5 million sq.ft, offering visitors “world-class experiences in hospitality, leisure and retail.

Intu Costa del Sol will feature eight distinct neighbourhoods, including 142,000 sq.m of retail space, more than 70 restaurants, 20-plus leisure operators, two hotels and a concert venue with a 5,000-seat capacity. It will also be home to the largest farm in Spain.

Intu’s chief executive, Matthew Roberts, commented: “This significant milestone opens the door to the next stage of the project. Intu Costa del Sol will be a resort like no other, bringing together international brands and global visitors in an unforgettable location surrounded by the very best in entertainment and leisure.

“We are having positive discussions with brands eager to join the scheme, as well as potential partners to help bring the project to fruition,” Roberts continued.

Talking about the licence milestone for the development, Ian Sandford, chief executive of Intu’s JV partner Eurofund and project director, commented: “The General License is an incredibly important milestone for the Intu Costa del Sol project, and we are delighted to have received this backing and endorsement from the Junta de Andalucía, validated by the City of Torremolinos. We now advance our plan and vision with renewed energy.”

The site will be located to the north of the popular tourist destination, Torremolinos, 3km from Malaga Airport.

Intu Costa del Sol is expected to attract more than 23 million guests annually. The site is due to open in 2023.