NEWS

Bratislava/Košice, 23 February 2011 – HB Reavis Slovakia, Aupark Košice project investor, in the presence of MUDr. Richard Raši, PhD, MPH, mayor of Košice, inspected works realised since the commencement of shopping and entertainment centre construction. Since January 2010 the company has invested more than €7 million in public interest projects. They will invest another €3.5 million by the time of construction completion. The utilization of these financial means is bound to infrastructure development and modernisation of the area, the construction of a four-lane public road, crossroads, traffic-lights reconstruction, the moving of monuments, and entire areas for re-cultivation. Beyond the scope of these works the investor engaged in the preservation of cultural heritage via the regressive transfer of historical artefacts, namely the foundation walls of an 18^th century circular fortification – a citadel. As a result of an archaeological survey, and according to the decision of the Regional monument protection office, the artefacts were moved to the Aupark basement and other locations specified by conservationists on the south side of Námestie osloboditeľov square. Preservation costs to date have exceeded €500,000.

"Approximately one year after the first excavation works, we can say with pleasure that the construction of the shopping and entertainment centre in Košice is going according to the construction schedule. The project enjoys the confidence of both the bankers and potential tenants of the shopping areas. Despite the persisting attenuation of the global economy financing of Aupark Košice is fully secured through the banking house of Tatra Banka, a.s., while provided bank resources amount to the greatest financial involvement of the Slovak bank in real estate in the past year on the Slovak loan market. More than half of the 161 shopping units already have future tenants," said Roman Karabelli, HB Reavis Slovakia representative, about the project’s current status.

The eleven-floor Aupark Tower office building is being constructed simultaneously with the construction of the shopping and entertainment centre Aupark Košice. It will be an integral part of the Aupark Košice project, bringing approximately 12,000 square metres of the highest standard lease area to the market with office areas in Košice. Negotiations with a number of companies operating on the Slovak market are currently under way. Based on the expressed interest, the investor thinks that these prime premises will attract many local companies interested in starting their business at this lucrative address.

Upon planned construction conclusion this autumn, Aupark Košice will bring 161 shopping units, 1,100 parking lots, and almost 12,000 square metres of “A-class” office lease area. Last but not least, it will also create approximately 800 new jobs.

Total construction costs are estimated at €93 million (SKK 2.8 billion). At the same time the investor is building a modern four-lane road on Námestie osloboditeľov square, which will be transferred to the town of Košice after approbation.

For more information, please contact:

Roman Karabelli
HB Reavis Slovakia, a.s.
Prievozská 4, 821 09 Bratislava
Tel.: +421 2 58 30 30 30
Fax: +421 2 58 30 30 00
GSM: +421　905　972　912
E-mail: roman.karabelli@hbreavis.com
www.hbreavis.sk