Revamp of Zollstock shopping centre in Cologne complete
Following a four-month refurbishment programme, the Zollstock-Arkaden mall in south Cologne is almost complete. The shopping centre on Vorgebirgsstrasse now sports a new, bright design.
Allianz Real Estate Germany | Cologne, 11/30/2011
"We've revamped Zollstock-Arkaden to give it a contemporary appearance. Alongside our regular shoppers, we hope to attract more young families, students and commuters passing by every day," declared Allianz Real Estate Germany's project manager Martin Schwaiger.
On Nov 30 some local journalists presenting the media around Cologne and few tenants have been invited to exclusiveley show them the mall with the new logo and discover the new interior architecture. In addition, the journalists had the possibility to talk to the project leader Martin Schwaiger form ARE G on behalf of the owner Allianz and Maik Baumgardt on behalf of the tenant Aldi Sued.
Modernization began with a customer survey commissioned by Allianz (the mall's owner) in autumn 2010. It ascertained that around 21,000 shoppers visit Zollstock-Arkaden every week. Fifty-six percent of them are older than 45; 88 percent come from the surrounding Zollstock district of Cologne; and 66 percent are pedestrians. The vast majority of them (80 percent) go to Zollstock-Arkaden more than once a week. Asked about their favourite stores, the baker's proved to be one of the most popular. "This reflects customers' wish to spend more time relaxing in the mall," explained Roland Deger, Allianz Real Estate's Senior Manager Communications.
The alterations carried out over the past few months have certainly responded to shoppers' needs. The old rotunda housing the steps leading down to the underground car park has been replaced by an area of seating for visitors. The dark floor tiles have been substituted by light terrazzo. The centre's atmosphere of freshness has been enhanced by new lighting, making for a much friendlier, more inviting interior. The underground parking garage was renovated by Allianz last year – it's now brighter and has a clearer layout. "Especially in somewhere like Cologne where there's often a shortage of parking, having a well accessible underground car park is crucial," said Martin Schwaiger. "Countless commuters drive along Vorgebirgsstrasse every day – and so our car park is a good reason for them to do their shopping here." He added how practical it was for families from districts like Zollstock, Sülz, Klettenberg and Raderthal to be able to easily reach the shopping area from the car park – even with a pram.
To make the outdoor signage more eye-catching (after all, Zollstock-Arkaden is now already 20 years old!), the finishing touches over the next few days will include installing the centre's new logo and shops' advertising on the façade. Zollstock Arkaden intends to position itself as an attractive shopping mall where customers can obtain not just groceries but also health and beauty products and apparel, and avail themselves of various services.
Celebrations mark the revamp's completion
In the week from 5–10 December, the stores plan to celebrate the end of refurbishment with their customers with a host of special campaigns. For its part, Allianz will be contributing small gifts for shoppers. For example, it will be highlighting the outstanding parking beneath the mall by handing out biscuits to drivers on the surrounding main roads.
Discount supermarket chain Aldi Süd has a store at Zollstock-Arkaden as do chemist's Valeska Pritz-Gottschall, Kaiser's supermarket, discount clothes retailer kik, hairdresser Frisör Klier, baker's Schmitz & Nittenwilm, and a drugstore. Other businesses include a hearing aid supplier, a travel agent's, a lottery agent and various doctors' surgeries. The Zollstock-Arkaden residential and shopping centre is owned by insurance company Allianz Lebensversicherungs-AG.
