Viru Keskus launched renovation program
Viru Keskus launched renovation works that will give a new look and contents to the centre. The aim of the renovations is to update the most visited shopping centre in Estonia by responding to changing shopping trends and offering an eventful experience to visitors.
According to Gertti Kogermann, the CEO of Viru Keskus, the renovation is extremely important in view of changing customer needs and shopping behaviour. “During its 17 years of operation Viru Keskus has grown into the first stopping place for fashion fans and the shopping centre with the greatest visitor numbers, and we wish to develop along with the changed needs of customers that they expect from a shopping environment. We wish to offer our visitors ever more convenient services, emotions and experiences, and therefore the need to renovate the centre was clear,” Kogermann said.
“We are delighted to launch the interior design works, thus bringing the future trends in retail to the visitors and tenants of Viru Keskus. The entire renovation program involves a holistic, sustainable and modern construction solution to increase the comfort level for customers, to expand the food areas notably and naturally to deliver new exciting brands and shop concepts to our clients. It is clear that along with the rise of digital trade the physical space needs to offer ever more possibilities to get emotional experiences through spatial experience, customer service and services,” Kogermann explained the essence of the changes.
“In the first stage we will complete a new walkway that will better link the centre and several shops, and the atrium and the general areas on I floor will be completely renewed. Several shops loved by the customers of Viru Keskus will update their concepts as well,” Kogermann outlined. “The first to reopen its doors to customers will be the completely renewed Food World of Kaubamaja. Then you will be able to view the renewed Beauty World of Kaubamaja and the refreshed Apotheka pharmacy and its beauty department that will create in Viru Keskus the largest and most up to date destination for beauty gourmets in the Baltic countries. Rahva Raamat shop that has been recognised as one of the best bookshops in the world will also get its renovation programme in late autumn and other surprises have also been planned that will definitely spark curiosity and offer an up to date visiting experience,” mentioned Kogermann about the coming changes.
The renovations in Viru Keskus are based on the winning design of an international competition created by a Swedish architectural bureau Wingårdhs that specialises on architecture, urban planning, interior design and landscape architecture. Wingårdhs bureau has won many prizes and among other projects has completed the science centre Universeum in Göteborg, Swedish embassies in Washington and Berlin, Swedish National Museum in Stockholm, hotel Blique by Nobis, the largest shopping centre in the Nordic countries Mall of Scandinavia, shopping centre Emporia and Saluhall in Malmö.
The entire renovation program is planned to last about a year and Viru Keskus will remain open for the duration. There may be occasional changes in some parts of the centre due to the construction works. More information about it can be found at the website of the centre www.virukeskus.com.
Viru Keskus is a fashion centre with the greatest visitor numbers in Estonia. The shopping centre located in the heart of Tallinn is a highly appreciated meeting place and provider of high quality cultural and entertainment experiences. Viru Keskus has been awarded the highest level LEED O&M Platinum rating for the operation and management of a sustainable building that is the only one of this level in Estonia. Additional information: