Rhein-Galerie exciting project

[Mindy]

ECE Develops Large-Scale Project Directly on the Rhine River

Start of construction for the most spectacular project in the German city of Ludwigshafen: in June of this year, building work will begin on the Rhein-Galerie on the site of the former Zollhofhafen customs hall complex. In the period up to autumn 2010, a totally new type of city center district will be created directly on the bank of the River Rhine comprising a unique shopping center spread over a sales area of around 30,000 square meters, a "gastro pavilion" and a restored historic shipyard hall. An additional 25,000 square meters of well-appointed outdoor space and facilities will border directly on the river. The investment volume for the Rhein-Galerie in Ludwigshafen is in the order of 220 million euros.

The second construction phase will also include a business hotel in the three to four-star category with up to 180 rooms. This unique project was designed by ECE architects. Half of the rental premises have already been leased.

Ludwigshafen am Rhein is one of the most important industrial locations in southwestern Germany. The city with a population of around 170,000 is primarily known as the home town of BASF, who operate the world's largest integrated chemical plant there.

ECE Projektmanagement G.m.b.H. & Co. KG

ECE has been developing, leasing and managing shopping centers since 1965 and is the European market leader in this sector. In the 94 centers managed by ECE, a total of 10,000 outlets on a sales area of 2.9 million square meters generate annual sales of ten billion euros. There are ECE shopping centers in Germany, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, Lithuania, Austria, Greece and Turkey. The projects currently under construction or at the planning stage include the Ernst-August-Galerie in Hannover, Germany, the Serdika Center in Sofia and the Golden Ring Gallery in the Russian city of Yaroslavl. Through its Office, Traffic and Industries divisions, ECE also develops other commercial projects like the Philips Germany headquarters in Hamburg or the ThyssenKrupp premises in Essen.