Tishman International Companies, a global commercial real estate investment, development and management firm with operations throughout Europe, has signed two new tenants at Sofia Airport Center (SAC) in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Skypharm EOOD, a successful pharmaceutical company, and Modern Style EOOD, a supplier of high-quality hair-care products to Eastern European hair salons, have both signed new leases announced Olga Stoichkova, SAC’s leasing manager. “Skypharm already has one pharmacy opened, but has experienced so much growth in business in a short period of time that it is opening a second location,” she pointed out, noting that the company signed a long-term lease, which was facilitated by Colliers International, a global brokerage firm.
“Our company’s business plan calls for locating pharmacies in prospectively viable business centers,” said Ms. Petya Lefterova, Skypharm manager. Modern Style, an exclusive representative for Paul Mitchell, a popular American brand that produces more than 100 hair-care products, and is distributed in more than 80 countries globally, has signed a 5 year lease, which also was brokered by Colliers International.
“A combination of experience in hairdressing and a commitment to the profession has created a dedicated team of professionals with a clear marketing strategy for Paul Mitchell products in Europe,” noted Mr. Viadislav Ouzonov, manager of Modern Style. “One strategy that has proven highly successful is organizing special hairdresser training workshops taught by Italian designers, which will be held in our new space at Sofia Airport Center” he added.
Tishman is currently in lease-up mode at SAC and has pioneered many U.S. concepts and leasing incentive ideas at the 165,000-square-meter, commercial mixed-use complex. As part of SAC’s leasing incentives, office tenants who sign a lease for at least 450-square meters by the end of this year, will receive an architecturally designed, fully furnished employee multipurpose space completely complimentary.
Tishman has also established an onsite dance and aerobics studio that is open to both employees and community residents. This facility is fully equipped with musical exercise equipment including mats, weights and a locker room, and offers a variety of after-work classes, including zumba, tae-bo, yoga and Bulgarian national dances, for a nominal fee of 5 Leva per session, or about $3 US.
“Our dynamic, creative onsite property management and leasing team continues to import Western ideas and concepts to SAC,” said Mr. Alan D. Levy, chairman of Tishman International. “These ideas raise the bar for commercial real estate development in Eastern Europe and will have a significant impact on future projects”, he added.
SAC is Bulgaria’s first LEED-certified commercial project, incorporating environmentally friendly materials with state-of-the-art technologies to reduce operating costs and provide a comfortable, healthy environment for employees. The complex includes 100,000 square meters of Class A office space and a 28,000-square-meter Logistics Center with office and warehouse space. The site also is a showcase of lush landscaping, with winter gardens and water features, and provides recreational space for employees, including open green areas with seating, walking trails and a central lake.
