*Cartagena – Special Envoy
Arquitectura & Concreto, AED, Renta Urbana and Urbanum are the real estate firms that will be in charge of materializing the project Kristal Malls, the first shopping resort in Colombia that will be located in Cartagena.
The delivery of the first stage of construction is scheduled for 2027. It is located “strategically” on the Vía al Mar y la Cordialidad. Last Thursday, May 23, these companies made official the launch of the concept, which will be located in Azul de Arenas, a housing complex in the northern area of the capital of Bolívar: the construction of 11,000 new homes is expected in this sector.
Kristal Malls will have 120,000 square meters of commercial area on a 20-hectare lot. It is a space where a shopping center, business services will come together.health centers and a hotel, which makes it one of the most ambitious projects in recent years in Cartagena.
Francisco Martínez, president of Arquitectura & Concreto, assured that the investment in the first stage, shopping center and hotel, could reach $1.3 billion by 2027. “By that year the shopping center will be ready, and surely the hotel too: it will be a parallel delivery. If we add the office towers, the investment will reach $2.3 billion in the next five, six or seven years, it will depend on the market,” he assured.
One of the main features of the project will be a Crystal Lagoon that will be in the middle of the complex. The shopping center, offices and hotels will be built around it. In this body of water, aquatic activities can be carried out and, according to the construction companies, it will meet all quality and sustainability standards.
Juan Pablo García, CEO of AED, assured that the project is an opportunity to offer “a unique experience.” “We will bring a Crystal Lagoons to the shopping center, which will create an exceptional environment for visitors. Additionally, Kristal Malls starts from an approach aligned with our commitment to sustainability, which will be reflected throughout the shopping center through responsible practices in both construction, as in the operation.”
Martínez revealed more specific figures for the project, in which he highlighted the 200 stores that the shopping center will have, including national and international stores and restaurants. The construction companies confirmed that this center will have more than 30 top-level brands, which includes a 4,300 square meter Éxito warehouse.
On the other hand, the hotel will have an estimated 180 rooms. “It will be operated by international brands. We are in talks with Hyatt and Marriott, brands that are ideal for the project. They have already seen the lagoon and none of them had had the opportunity to be in a body of water of this size, where non-motorized nautical activities will be carried out,” he said.
Regarding the office towers, the manager assured that they are also talking with health providers and other services. A company from Barranquilla, for example, is interested in establishing a clinic specialized in ophthalmology.
Regarding the Crystal Lagoons concept, the manager stated that it is an “innovative and winning” concept. “All over the world, properties that are around them have 20% more price compared to one that is not.” He added that Bogotá is also in the focus of construction companies to start a project of this type, since at the end of this year they could carry out a launch in the surroundings of the capital: Villeta is the most optioned place. “We are looking at land, defining locations,” he said.
Regarding the jobs that will be generated during the construction of Kristal Malls in Cartagena, Martínez assured that they could reach 1,700. During the operation stage, it is expected that there could be between 800 and 1,000 permanent workers in service, maintenance and other tasks. “We hope that, when the project is close to inaugurating, we will open calls giving priority to local people, who are close to the project, to neighboring communities. “We want to offer good quality jobs, in optimal conditions,” he said.
Andrés Arango, manager of Urbanum, assured that the construction of Kristal Malls is a milestone because it will meet a growing demand in the northern area of the city, in addition to strengthening the tourist offer and services in the region. The project will have sustainability plans with the installation of solar panels and efficient lighting.
*Guest by Kristal Malls
