The Focus Estate Fund has acquired three shopping centers, totaling approximately 46,000 square meters of gross leasable area, in southern Poland.
Focus Estate is a private equity real estate investment fund focusing on non-prime value-added retail properties. The fund’s strategy is to invest in the existing European mid-market convenience retail properties.
The three shopping centers are Sosnowiex Plaza, Ruda Slaska Plaza, and Rybnik Plaza. According to the Focus Estate Fund, “this strategic move underscores the fund’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the Polish retail market. The centers feature a strong tenant mix, including major brands like Carrefour, Stokrotka, H&M, CCC, Sephora, Rossmann, and Reserved, and provide essential services to their respective regions.The acquired shopping centers are located in key urban areas surrounding Katowice, offering a diverse mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options. These acquisitions align with Focus Estate Fund’s strategy to expand its asset portfolio in Poland, focusing on mid-sized convenience shopping centers that serve local communities.”
“This acquisition reflects our confidence in the Polish retail market and our commitment to the value-added approach through strategic asset management,” said Maxim Shkolnick, General Partner of the Focus Estate Fund. “We focus on acquiring non-prime value-added convenience retail and transforming it into dynamic and vibrant community hubs that align with the evolving retail landscape. We see huge potential in Central and Eastern Europe and are committed to creating sustainable, purpose-driven spaces that resonate with both tenants and consumers. By integrating wellness, health, community services, and lifestyle-driven experiences, while prioritizing ESG principles such as energy efficiency, we unlock additional value throughout our assets, ensuring they remain relevant and attractive in an ever-changing market.”
Focus Estate describes Ruda Slaska Plaza as “the only modern third-generation shopping and entertainment center in Ruda Slaska, combining retail, services, and entertainment. Spanning two levels, it features shops, cafés, a supermarket, numerous service points, and an eight-screen Cinema City. With a total area of 20,000 square meters, the center offers parking for 520 cars and is conveniently located on 1-go Maja Street, close to public transport and major regional roads. It regularly hosts cultural and entertainment events, providing attractions for customers of all ages.”
The fund describes Rybnik Plaza as “a modern shopping and entertainment center in the heart of the city, offering the latest fashion trends, services, and attractions for the whole family. Across three levels, it houses boutiques of well-known brands, perfumeries, home decor stores, and service points. After a successful shopping trip, visitors can relax at the Grycan café, while entertainment lovers can enjoy the eight-screen Cinema City and Pink Bowling & Club. The center features a four-level parking garage with space for 400 cars.”
Finally, according to the fund, “Sosnowiec Plaza is a modern shopping and entertainment center in the heart of the city, close to the train station and the Modrzejowska promenade. Across two levels, it offers trendy boutiques (including C&A, Reserved, and Monnari), a Stokrotka supermarket, service points, and a Cinema City. After shopping, visitors can unwind at McDonald’s and U Koziolka restaurants or enjoy a coffee at Grycan and Figaro Cafe. The center also features an underground parking lot with 385 spaces.”
In May of this year White Star Real Estate took over the management of the three shopping centers. White Star has already been working with Focus Estate for several years on the management of Galeria Sandomierz, and more recently has taken over Galeria Sandecja in Nowy Sącz and Ferio Legnica. For the newly acquired Plaza properties, the company is responsible not only for day-to-day property management but also for handling leasing processes and tenant relations.
“Our cooperation with Focus Estate Fund is not only a sign of mutual trust, but also a recognition of the quality and effectiveness of our work,” said Bartosz Prytula, Managing Partner, Poland at White Star Real Estate. “Taking over the property management and leasing of three shopping centers in Silesia is an important step in executing our strategy to grow the retail segment and strengthen White Star Real Estate’s presence in regions with high consumer potential.”
Image source: www.plazasosnowiec.pl
