The Israeli company BIG CEE, which already operates the largest shopping mall in Podgorica (Big Fashion – former Delta City, City Mall and The Capital Plaza), is entering the Nikšić market. The recent tender for the sale of 42 square meters of land received only one bid – from the Israeli company. The deal was worth 201 million euros.
The Chairman of the Nikšić Opština Assembly, Nemanja Vuković, stressed that the project will provide new jobs and create new opportunities for city residents. He saidthat this step is an important milestone for the development of Niksic and attracting new investors.
Location and development of the project "Sunny City"
The acquired plot of land is part of the large-scale project Sunčani grad (Sunny City) – a new residential and commercial area on the outskirts of Nikšić, near the former steelworks. This area, owned by Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG), will be developed with retail, residential and business facilities as part of a joint initiative between EPCG and the municipality.
The first step in the project's implementation was an architectural competition to create a development concept. After the adoption of the new Spatial Urban Development Plan (PUP), the municipality received legal grounds to attract investors, including Big Fashion and the German retail giant Lidl, who had previously purchased land for his supermarket.
Big Fashion Shopping Mall in Niksic
The new shopping centre is planned to be the key object of the "Sunny City" and will be similar to the one already implemented in Podgorica. It is expected that a residential complex similar to the capital's City Kvart, which once turned the former industrial area into a prestigious area for living and business, will be developed around it.
According to the project, the future complex will include from 500 to 1000 residential units, playgrounds, sports areas, a swimming pool, schools and kindergartens. All this will make it an independent microdistrict of Niksic with comfortable infrastructure for residents.
Lidl in Niksic
German chain Lidl is actively expanding its presence in Montenegro. First store scheduled to open in the village of Mahala, Zeta municipality (near the capital of the country). Nikšić is one of the cities where the retailer plans to open its new supermarket. The company has already purchased a plot of land in this city, and its location suggests that the new Lidl will be a key part of the city’s future development, especially within the framework of the “Sunny City” project.
Future Investments and Prospects
Besides Big Fashion and Lidl, the municipal government is in talks with other potential investors. The project is expected to attract companies from the education, health and public administration sectors. EPCG is considering offering some of the land for the construction of public institutions such as schools and medical centers.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of EPCG Mitutin Djukanovic noted that the development of the "Sunny City" will open a new chapter in the history of Nikšić, accelerate its modernization and create attractive conditions for living and working.
Interestingly, a similar model has been successfully implemented in Podgorica, where the opening of the Big Fashion, City Mall and The Capital Plaza shopping centres in the former industrial zone has led to an active influx of investors and the development of a modern urban environment. Based on this experience, the authorities of Nikšić are counting on the growing interest in the "Sunny City" among developers, which will lead to further improvement of the territory, construction of new roads and improvement of infrastructure. The participation of the Israeli company BIG CEE in this project indicates high investment potential, which can attract new international retailers and brands, increasing the economic activity of the city.
Thus, the construction of a shopping centre in Nikšić is not only the development of retail, but also a strategic step towards the creation of a new modern urban space capable of attracting investors, improving the region’s economy and enhancing the quality of life of its residents.
Photo: Srđan Tadić, Aleksandar Marsenić, Bojan Vlahović/EPCG
