160,000 sqm of shopping, leisure, media and business
As a multifunctional project offering shops, leisure, culture, media and economic activities, Médiacité has managed to transform the old Longdoz neighbourhood into a new landmark, attracting more than 5 million visitors each year. Erected on a brownfield site of more than 6,5 ha, Médiacité (total surface of 160,000 sqm, of which 45,313 sqm GLA) mainly revolves around a two-story shopping center, and a media cluster hosting the Pôle Image of Liège and Média Rives, RTBF’s new production studios. www.mediacite.be
A sustainable project
Using the latest technologies and satisfying the requirements of sustainable development (CO2 and greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy savings, green roofs, etc.) Médiacité is the first BREEAM certified building in Belgium. It is also the first shopping and leisure center in Europe to be certified under BREEAM Retail 2008 (rating: “Very Good”), specially developed to evaluate retail projects.
An iconic architectural signature
To meet the prestige and quality of the Guillemins station (designed by Catalan architect Santiago Calatrava) located in the axis of Médiacité, an important architectural statement was necessary. Based on a master plan and sketches designed by architectural firms Chapman Taylor (UK) and RTKL (USA), the design of the buildings and public spaces was entrusted to the world famous architect-designer Ron Arad, together with Belgian firm Jaspers-Eyers and Wilhelm & Co Design.
International rewards
Considered as a European model for retail development, Médiacité has received numerous international awards: two CBLCC awards (“New Center” and “Sustainability”), the “Renovation of the Year ” RLI award (2011), a nomination at the World Architecture Festival (2010), at the ICSC European Awards 2011. The concept of Médiacité also benefited from exceptional visibility at the Pompidou Center (Paris), the MOMA (New York) and the Barbican Center (London).
Inauguration: october 2009
Key figures
| Total area | 6.5 ha – 160,000 sqm |
| Visitors per year | 5.3 million the first year, and experiencing a 15% growth per year |
| Occupancy rate | 95% at opening, today 98% |
| GLA | 45,313 sqm (including Delhaize) |
| Shops | 124 shops on two levels |
| Anchor tenants | Primark, Saturn, Delhaize supermarket, H&M |
| Parking | 2,210 spaces |
| Public transportation | 700 buses per day |
| Leisure | a six-screen cinema, Pôle Image of 25,000 sqm, Média Rives (the RTBF’s new studios & offices), an Olympic ice-skating rink undertaken by the City of Liège |
| Extensions (GLA) | – Cinemas: 7,500 sqm – Ice skating rink: 6,000 sqm |
| Ready to wear | 3,400 sqm |
| TOTAL GLA | 62,200 sqm |