Thursday, January 6, 2011

Qatar’s Successful World Cup Bid: 9 New Stadiums in 10 Years

(Proposed Al-Khor Stadium)
Qatar won the right to host the 2022 World Cup, a first for an Arab nation.  The small middle eastern country a tenth of the size of Ohio overcame several challenges to outbid 4 other formidable opponents including Australia, Japan, South Korea and yes, even the United States.

Two of their biggest obstacles include a lack of infrastructure (the need to build 9 new stadiums and renovate 3) and inclement weather (the temperature in Qatar at the time of the tournament averages 95 degrees and daytime highs can easily exceed 130 degrees). 

The solution?  Build 9 new open air stadiums to accommodate the competition, complete with cooling technology that can reduce the temperatures by as much as 40 degrees at field level and renovate the remaining three stadiums in the ten remaining years before the first football hits the pitch - all for a “cool” $3 Billion.

The result?  The first six designs were unveiled recently and they truly are remarkable.  Take a look at these five designs from Albert Speer and Partners:




And here is Foster + Partner’s design for the Lusail Iconic Stadium:



In addition to the 12 new and renovated stadiums proposed, Qatar will also be developing the infrastructure to host the event as it relates to hotel rooms, transportation (a new $13 billion airport opens in 2012), Team base camps and training sites as well as a myriad of other supporting facilities required to accommodate the 3 million plus visitors.  This will also create high demand for new retail development and an opportunity for Qatar to be proverbially “on the map”.  All they need now is an official song by Shakira!

In addition – the Qatar bid has proposed a carbon-neutral event supporting part of that vision by the ability of removing modular sections of the new stadiums after the event concludes and reconstructing them to create 22 stadiums in developing countries around the world.

For the full Qatar proposal – check out the:
2022 FIFA World Cup Bid Evaluation Report:  Qatar.


Qatar Mini Essential Visitors Guide  Qatar  the Qatar Edge

Monday, December 6, 2010

Part 4 - Ohio Lifestyle Centers: The Greene Town Center

(Typical "Main Street" View)

(View of Town Square)

(Center Directory)

As a continuation of my Ohio Lifestyle Center series, next up is The Greene Town Center located in the suburban Dayton city of Beavercreek.   The Greene (as it has come to be known), is located just South and a little East of Downtown Dayton on I-675.  This Lifestyle center opened in two phases in 2006 and 2008.


Steiner & Associates, developer of Easton Towne Center in Columbus and many other Lifestyle Center projects partnered with Mall Properties to co-develop the project.  Included in the 72 acre mixed-use development is over 1.0 million sf that includes 790,000 sf of retail, 128,000 sf of office space, over 200 residential units and over 6,500 parking spaces.  Total investment in the project was over $90 with over 100 different retailers in their store directory including these key retail, restaurant, and entertainment anchors:
           
The Columbus, Ohio firm of Meacham and Apel was the architect for the center and created a “Main Street” themed experience that includes a Town Square at the heart of the complex.  Visitors have three parking garages to choose from as well as several surface lots (both are free).  For those looking to get in and out quickly, street-side metered parking is available where all proceeds are donated to charity.

To review past Ohio Lifestyle Centers – follow the links below:
            Part 2: Crocker Park (Westlake) 
            Part 3: Levis Commons (Perrysburg)  


If you are in the Dayton area - make sure you take some time for a visit.  There is something for everyone in the family.  


Take a look at this video that promotes The Greene Town Center:


                                
                                           The Greene Town Center from Elayo on Vimeo.

Dayton (OH) (Postcard History Series) Downtown Dayton, Ohio, ca. 1940 - Fine-Art Gicle Photographic Print - 8"x10" Enlargement from a Classic Vintage Postcard  AIRPLANE PLANE AVIATION WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHT AVIATORS DAYTON OHIO 1909 VINTAGE POSTER REPRO

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

India Shopping Center Explosion: 94 New Malls by 2012

(Phoenix Market City - Bangalore)


India is expecting an explosion of shopping center development in the next 2 years that could add almost 100 centers in seven major cities accounting for 37 million sqft of new retail space according to a report from Jones Lang LaSalle.  I recently reported on the Phoenix Market Cities planned for 4 districts in India in a previous post that were large scale developments soon to open.


As India develops into a "second world" country, developers and retailers will be ready to provide the goods and services.  Will there be a glut of retail space or a rush of new retailers looking for new shoppers?  Read more from The Economic Times article:


Nearly 100 Malls to Come Up by 2012 in Seven Cities:  Report

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Land Securities Continues its Growth Plans

(Bon Accord Centre - A Land Securites Property)
Land Securities announced in their half-year results their intention to expand their retail portfolio.   This is the latest in a series of articles about UK and European companies moving forward with retail projects.  


See the full article here:
Land Securities Plans Further Retail Development


Land Securities press release:
Half-Yearly Results for the six months to 30 September 2010


Previous All Things Retail Development Posts:
United Kingdom Retail Development Update


More Good Retail Development News from London


Trinity Leeds:  A Sign of the Times?


Leonidas Belgian Chocolates: 1 lb Napolitain Sampler Ballotin - Orange, Nibs, Feuilletine, 72% Pure Origin Sao Tome, Milk, White, and Dark Chocolate Squares Grand Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift BasketGhirardelli Chocolate Chocolate Covered Cherries









Wednesday, November 3, 2010

United Kingdom Retail Development Update

(Eldon Square Shopping Centre)

Capital Shopping  Centres, one of UK’s largest developers and owners of 13 regional shopping centres totaling 14 million sq ft announced today they are planning £78 million in capital projects.  The purpose for this investment is due to the strong growth in retail and a “reduced supply of new high-quality retail space”. 

Once again the news from the UK is bullish on retail development.  We have seen similar statements from Land Securities and their investment in Trinity Leeds, as well as this post about construction spending at it relates to supermarkets and Europe in general.

Here is the article from Building.co.uk:
CSC Plots £78m of Retail Development

For the brief in its entirety see CSC's website:
Interim Management Statement


Gone To The Shops: Shopping In Victorian England  The London Shopping Companion: A Personal Guide to Shopping in London for Every Pocketbook