Re‑imagining a regional icon

Driven by tenant demand and the mall’s exceptional post‑pandemic trading performance, the former 10,000 m² DIY warehouse has been converted into a bright, shop‑lined gallery that connects smoothly to a brand‑new additional 7,500m² retail wing, which includes a purpose‑built value centre offering. Extra entrances, wider walkways and clear sightlines make it easy for visitors to explore every corner of the mall.

Tenant appetite has driven every decision: Flagship brands have upsized, first‑to‑market labels have signed on, and the post‑pandemic surge in footfall has confirmed IMSV’s status as northern Romania’s shopping and leisure beacon.

Guided by Iulius Group, delivered by Build Corp and strategically backed by Atterbury Europe, the project epitomises the Attrius joint venture’s ability to transform bold visions into world‑class destinations – on schedule and on budget.

What’s new

• A new green landscape façade area: Customers will be welcomed by new green landscape areas at the entrances of IMSV where matured trees, lush green plants and grassed areas will create a unique ambience in Suceava. The new landscape design will lead customers in from the main entrance and will transform the whole arrival atmosphere in IMSV.
• Expanded fashion and lifestyle mix: A wave of first‑to‑Suceava brands joins an upgraded line‑up of established retailers that have taken the opportunity to enlarge or refurbish their stores.
• Intuitive mall circuit: The former DIY anchor has been re‑imagined as a double‑fronted gallery, adding multiple entrances, clearer sightlines and better links between the existing mall and the new value centre.
• Upgrade to parking and traffic flow: A complete re‑layout of access roads, with reconfigured parking bay layouts, will shorten arrival times, making parking circulation easier with drop-off locations and positioning visitors closer to key entrances.
• Integrated value centre: Large‑format fashion, home and sports outlets now sit alongside convenience services, expanding the catchment while keeping everyday essentials under one roof.

Greener by design

Responding to community expectations and Romanian planning requirements, the expansion delivers an inviting green landscaped forecourt featuring more than 180 mature trees, 37,000 shrubs and seasonal plantings, all sourced from specialist growers in Italy. The landscaping merges with redesigned traffic flows to create a calm, intuitive arrival experience and a cooler micro‑climate for outdoor dining. In addition, the arrival route to the mall also features mature trees and grassed areas within traffic islands and roundabouts, completing a well-formulated landscape design.

Sustainability principles guided every step – from waste segregation during demolition to specifying energy‑efficient materials and systems. A rooftop photovoltaic (“PV”) array is already in planning, and IMSV’s recent upgrade from LEED Silver to LEED Platinum certification underlines its commitment to long‑term environmental performance.

Economic and community impact

IMSV is more than the areas dominant retail address; it is the region’s leisure anchor and a significant employer. The expansion supports:

• 200+ temporary construction jobs during the build phase.
• Over 400 new permanent positions across retail, hospitality and mall management.
• A refreshed tenant mix that draws shoppers from across northern Romania and neighbouring Ukraine and The Republic of Moldova, bolstering local supply chains and tourism spend.

Looking ahead

Attrius has already secured the adjoining “cooling‑tower” site at the back of IMSV, enabling future back‑of‑house upgrades and additional expansion/growth potential. Short‑term priorities include the installation of a PV plant, upgrading of the “RCM building” in the parking area, expanding the drive-through F&B offering and exploring further experiential retail formats that keep IMSV at the forefront of consumer expectations.

A word of appreciation

The last few months have seen various upgrades causing minor disruptions to the smooth operation of IMSV and we would like to extend a word of appreciation to all our customers and tenants who continued normal business under these expansion conditions. We are excited for the new ISMV to be fully operational as we near launch.

Final countdown

The site is now in overdrive mode with works happening everywhere, while respecting the fact that current tenants in IMSV continue trading. Devising constant temporary access solutions for customers, landscapers adding final touches, fitment of the final elements of the façade, the mall gallery receiving it final finishes, tenants fitting out their stores, and road markings going down, and the team’s message is clear: “IMSV will be ready to welcome new tenants on 15 May and will present our valued customers with another unique worldclass experience !” Join us to experience the next chapter of Iulius Mall Suceava and discover why this landmark continues to set the pace for retail, dining and entertainment in northern Romania.

Watch this space for an exclusive launch‑day recap.