Inviting, Open Design Helps Attract Tenants as North Country Mall is Over 75 Percent Leased

Feb. 23, 2012 - PRLog -- INVITING, OPEN DESIGN HELPS ATTRACT TENANTS AS NORTH COUNTRY MALL IS OVER 75 PERCENT LEASED

ATLANTA, GA Feb. 2012 – tvsdesign and Gumberg Global, the international division of shopping center developer J. J. Gumberg Co., has partnered with U.S. based global architectural and design firm tvsdesign to bring new western-style retail destinations to India. The North Country Mall, still about ten months away from opening, is rated one of the best upcoming malls in India, having pre-leased more than 75 percent of its 280 outlets to prominent international retailers.

“The North Country Mall (www.northcountrymall.com) is a western-style regional retail mall that is not just a place to shop, but an entire entertainment area where people come to shop, go to movies, have a meal or simply people watch,” said Mark Carter, a principal with tvsdesign, the Atlanta-based international architecture and design firm. “It will be uniquely fun, and our design becomes part of the fun -- and helps make the mall attractive to retailers.”

Committed retailers include Marks & Spencer, Reliance Mart, Shoppers’ Stop, Lifestyle Home Centre, Reliance Footprint, Reliance Timeout, Trends, Kapsons, Store 99, Pure Homes + Living and Fun City. The mall also will feature just the second ZARA outlet in Punjab, and for the first time in India, five Zara stand-alone concepts: Massimo Dutti (Fashion Apparel); Stradivarious (Fashion Apparel); Pull & Bear (Fashion Apparel); Bershka (Fashion Apparel) and Oysho (Lingerie).

Poised to be the largest in Punjab, The North Country Mall is situated on 21.6 acres along the busy Chandigarh-Kharar National Highway in Mohali. Chandigarh is among the most prosperous and fastest-growing cities in India. Construction began in July 2010 and when it opens in the fourth quarter of 2012, the mall will feature a total of 1.03 million square feet of built-up area and more than 750,000 square feet of gross leasable area. More than 325,000 square feet is reserved for anchor tenants and 255,000 square feet for smaller retailers. There will be ample parking for 3,000 cars.

A popular feature will be the impressive 160,000-square-foot food court, with a spectacular outdoor party/entertainment balcony and fine dining outlets, as well as traditional quick-service restaurants. In addition, there will be several youth and adult entertainment options, notably a nine-screen 1,800-seat multiplex, including an iconic IMAX theater.

“We wanted to re-create the atmosphere found in shopping centers across the United States,” said Carter.  “We wanted distinctive and inviting storefronts, wide corridors, grand drop-off points, an expansive central atrium and a truly welcoming atmosphere that will engage shoppers and retailers alike.”

Gumberg India -- the India venture of developer Gumberg Global -- is developing The North Country Mall in a 50/50 partnership with Apollo Real Estate Advisors.

“Obviously we had a huge vision for The North Country Mall and we sought an internationally known architecture and design firm that was comfortable working in India and could handle the scale of this project,” said Gumberg Global Chairman Gregg Searle. “tvsdesign fits our needs perfectly. They have a wide range of experience doing large-scale retail and entertainment projects. But they also understood that in The North Country Mall we intend to set a new standard for retail projects in India, and indeed the whole of Southeast Asia.  We need an architecture and design firm that can dream as big as we, and are able to deliver on that dream.  We found that shared vision in tvsdesign.”

About J.J. Gumberg Co:
J.J. Gumberg Co. is a leading global real estate investment and development company distinctly focused on creating institutional-quality, large-scale retail properties.  Headquartered in the United States, Gumberg maintains a portfolio of shopping centers throughout the country and its retail properties host numerous select retailers. Gumberg Global is a sister corporation through which Gumberg engages in international real estate ventures. Gumberg is a fully integrated enterprise with a demonstrated ability to build long-term, intergenerational wealth within the major markets in which it participates.   www.jjgumberg.com/

About tvsdesign:
tvsdesign is a global design firm whose award-winning solutions reflect more than 40 years of experience in planning, architecture and interior design. With offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dubai and Shanghai, the firm’s passions for design excellence, sustainability and collaboration produce client-driven results. With projects around the globe, tvsdesign is recognized for its work including convention and public assembly, cultural arts, retail, office, education, government, hospitality, workplace, showroom and mixed-use projects. The sustainable design experience of the tvsdesign studios encompasses 23 LEED Certified and 16 LEED registered projects. In 2002, tvsdesign was awarded the prestigious American Institute of Architects Firm Award. www.tvsdesign.com

CONTACT:
Ellen Hartman (678) 399-3335 ehartman@hartmanpr.com
Sarah Busch     (312) 777-7425 sbusch@tvsdesign.com

For High Res Images: Marc Hirsch (404) 946-6738  mhirsch@tvsdesign.com