Leeds' Victoria Gate named world's best shopping centre
The newly opened Victoria Gate in Leeds was named the world's Best Shopping Centre at the internationally renowned real estate competition the MIPIM Awards, which were staged during the MIPIM property market in Cannes this week.
Owned by Hammerson the centre was opened in October last year and was designed by architects Acme as a 21st century interpretation of the traditional Victorian retail arcades found in Leeds city centre. It is situated next to the existing shopping and leisure area Victoria Quarter.
At the time of its opening Victoria Gate was 90% let and stores include a John Lewis flagship (the first in Leeds), Russell & Bromley, GANT, Hackett, Tommy Hilfiger, Aspinal of London and Anthropologie. Around three quarters of the brands were firsts for the city of Leeds and a third of them were new to property group Hammerson's portfolio.
It beat off competition from innovative new schemes in Asia - Lee Tung Avenue, Hong Kong, Morinomiya Q’s MALL BASE, Japan, and Parc Central, China - to win the prestigious prize.
"The striking architecture and premium brand mix makes this scheme truly unique, and we are very proud to have set new standards for retail across Europe," said Hammerson director of retail development Robin Dobson.
Leader of Leeds City Council Judith Blake described the award as "an exciting acknowledgement". "It is testament to both Hammerson and our team at the council who worked so well together to deliver this innovative project. Victoria Gate, anchored by John Lewis, is a fantastic new addition to Leeds and the retail and leisure offer in the North of England," she said.
