Forum Palermo, the biggest shopping & leisure centre (65,000 mē) in western Sicily
On 4th December 2007 Multi Development-C Italia celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony in Palermo marking the start of the construction of Forum Palermo, the biggest retail scheme being developed in the capital city of Sicily. The scheme is being developed for an investment subsidiary of Multi Corporation bv. The opening of the centre is scheduled for 2009.
The ceremony was held at the Forum Palermo development area, followed by a reception inside the prestigious San Paolo Palace Hotel in the presence of Mr. Diego Cammarata, mayor of Palermo, members of the city council and city stakeholders.
Commenting at the ceremony Mauro Mancini, Managing Director Multi Development-C Italia said: “The development of Forum Palermo will change the retail scenario of the region and boost the economical and social growth of the area. We will bring to Palermo a unique retail scheme with the widest range of national and international brands and a new shopping and leisure experience that will attract thousands of customers and visitors.”
Diego Cammarata, mayor of Palermo said: “Palermo is a unique city with great history and a strong commitment to modernisation”. I congratulate Multi on the successful start of Forum Palermo. I have no doubt the project will bring a new lease of life to the city, supporting the local business community and creating new job opportunities.”
Sustainable development
Multi Development is committed that the project will also be beneficial to the community and announced its intention to stimulate the employment of young people providing first-job opportunities. The project complies with high standards for sustainable development. Particular feature is the solar photovoltaic arrays that will be placed in the parking area to supply power to the centre.
Forum Palermo offers retail & leisure
Forum Palermo is one of the largest retail and leisure projects developed in southern Italy. The total site area is
65,000 mē. It is located on the Eastern side of Palermo within the limits of the ring road and close to the exit of the E90 motorway, which provides excellent accessibility for all visitors. Both the form and the materiality cause the shopping centre to emerge organically in its surroundings.
Forum Palermo is anchored by a hypermarket and by a stand-alone DIY (Do-it-Yourself) shop. The development also includes the renovation of two existing buildings (Baglio S. Anna and Baglio Villa) into restaurants, and cultural and entertainment facilities. Medium-size units and shops enclosed in the shopping centre will offer a unique merchandising mix of international and national top brands as well as so-called mass-market tenants. The Food court area will offer a high-quality choice of local and ethnic cuisine. Leisure and service facilities will enhance the mixed-use qualities of the scheme.
The project is expected to greatly support the economic and social growth of all the surrounding areas and to improve quality of life. The agreement with the Municipality Public Works Department also provides for a freeway connection, an interchange public parking, a neighbourhood access road, a bus terminal and a bus depot. Abundant parking will be available. Forum Palermo will open its doors in Autumn 2009.
Architecture
The Masterplan is from Multi’s in-house architects group T+T Design, from Gouda, the Netherlands. Architects involved are Lombardini 22 and Progetto CMR, both from Milan, Italy. Forum Palermo is an enclosed shopping & leisure centre. The organic design of the complex features shapes and elements that integrate with the surrounding mountain landscape. There are three entrances that lead to squares with three different themes: Fashion Square, Village Square with food court and terraces and Water Square. The stylish and bright indoor spaces will create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.
All shops and other facilities are at ground level, with the sole exception of a two-level health club. A combination of stone, brick, metal frames and glass form a mix of styles that give each side of the building an own identity. The mix of various styles relates to the variety in atmospheres a city as Palermo offers. A landmark tower will reinforce the projects’ image.