The first sod of the 65 million euro project for the new retail and recreation centre, Markovo Tepe Plovdiv, was turned last week. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of April 2010.

Markovo Tepe Mall is on the junction of Ruski Blvd, Gladstone St and Dragan Tsankov St.  Preparation before construction was arduous in light of the ground underneath the site. The 8400 sq m site required nearly two years to complete, including the demolition of metres of solid rock formations underneath that had to be cleared to make way for the mall's foundations. Eventually, the desired 16m of depth was reached, deemed sufficient for the structure.

Two companies, the Israeli Peleg Architects, and the Plovdiv-based RG Projects, came up with the design for the mall, led by chief architects, Manuel Manuelian and Veselin Rusev.

Structurally, the complex consists of a three level low block and a high-rise 10 storey main building situated along Ruski Blvd. Four underground levels are underneath the mall totalling 21 000 sq m in area with an underground parking lot with capacity for 600 vehicles. On the top floor of the mall will be a 2000 sq m supermarket. 

Decreased purchasing power and the deteriorating economic climate have apparently not deterred Yakov Niv, the manager of the Israeli–Bulgarian company Melina Ltd, the main investor in the project. During the inauguration ceremony, marking the beginning of the site's construction last week, he was quoted as saying by Stroitelstvo Gradut:

"Markovo Tepe Hall has an excellent location, it will therefore guarantee investments, it has excellent  management and services and professional expertise in design and construction – these are just some of the advantages that make it truly special," Niv said.

Source: propertywisebulgaria.