Multi Development and 3W winners of the ICSC Award 2008 with Entre Deux
The shopping project Entre Deux in Maastricht, which opened at the end of 2006, has been named the winner of this year’s ICSC European Shopping Centre Award. This highly sought after and most prestigious industry prize is awarded to the best shopping centre in Europe annually by the International Council of Shopping Centres. The project was chosen from five international finalists by an expert jury. The jury commended the "uncompromising quality and sustainable design" in particular, and called the shopping arcade "an outstanding asset to the city". The award was presented on 17 April during the annual ICSC European Conference held in the RAI exhibition centre in Amsterdam.
Entre Deux
Entre Deux is an urban development in the centre of Maastricht. The developers Multi Vastgoed and 3W Vastgoed succeeded in transforming a disused shopping complex built in the 1970s into a stylish shopping area. Because of the choice of materials used in the development and the integration of six historic buildings – including the 14th century Dominican church – Entre Deux fits in perfectly with its distinctive surroundings. This is leading to the creation of new and sustainable public space in a top location in the city. Developers, Fortis Vastgoed Beleggingen, Q-Park and the city of Maastricht have invested around EUR110m. The project comprises 12,000mē of retail space, a car park with 200 parking spaces, and luxury apartments. The architects are T+T Design, Multi’s inhouse design group, and Arn Meijs Architekten.
International distinctions
The unique qualities of Entre Deux have already received acclaim. As well as a variety of nominations, including for the annual NRW (Dutch Council of Shopping Centres) award for the Best Shopping Centre in the Netherlands, the project received a special commendation at the annual international property trade market MIPIM in Cannes in March 2006, in the category Architectural Review Future Projects. The project also received a honourable mention at the Mapic Awards in Cannes in November 2007, where an award is handed out annually to the best shopping centre in Europe.
The bookstore Selexyz Dominicanen, which forms part of the project, was named the most beautiful bookshop in the world, 'possibly the most beautiful bookshop off all time', by the leading British newspaper The Guardian at the end of last year.
ICSC
Every year, the International Council of Shopping Centres Europe (ICSC Europe) presents awards to the best new, refurbished or extended retail developments in Europe. These awards are generally considered the most important in the industry. The jury consists of senior international figures wihting the shopping centre industry. All European winners are automatically nominated for the ICSC 2008 International Design Awards, the winners of which will be announced in December 2008.