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The huge blue inscription "Expobel", soaring at a 25-meter height on the eastern outskirts of Minsk, behind the Zeleny Lug-5 and 6 microdistricts, arouses the interest of everyone passing by. Most Minsk residents and guests of the Belarusian capital know that there is a clothing market located here, which was previously located at Akvabel, located 150 meters away. At the same time, not many are aware that a modern world-class exhibition center with all the necessary infrastructure will appear on the site of the construction taking place here over the next 2-3 years.
The fact that a private company, which does not ask anyone for anything, has taken on the implementation of a grandiose and truly important project for the state is an almost unique case for us. This circumstance prompted NEG to inquire not only about the project, but also about the opinion of those “interested” about it.
"AQUABEL" is building "EXPOBEL"
The chairman of JSC " agreed to talk about the new project in an exclusive interview with NEG Exhibition Center"Aquabel", professor of BGATU Petr Nikolaevich Sinkevich.
Petr Nikolaevich, in Lately a lot is said about "Aquabel" and "Expobel": some regret the relocation of the wholesale market from their "home" place, others doubt the advisability of building new markets when land for the construction of supermarkets is actively being sold, others generally say that something is being built there other than the market. Please reveal the secret to the readers of "NEG": what is "Expobel" and what is their relationship with "Aquabel"?
— Expobel is a trade and exhibition complex, which is being built by the private enterprise CJSC Exhibition Center Aquabel, so their relationship is related, firstly. Secondly, the shopping arcades in the form of kiosks and containers that are located here currently, it is part, and the smallest, of the large Expobel trade and exhibition complex under construction. According to the project prepared by the Belarusian-German company Belprombauplan Consult GmbH, the area closed premises the complex will be 100 thousand sq.m. Its territory will house exhibition pavilions, open exhibition areas, parking lots for more than 3 thousand places and 2 administrative buildings, which will house a bank, post office, telegraph office, first-aid post, press center, conference hall with 300 seats, and a cafe. fast food. The exhibition pavilion is designed as a structure of 2 blocks. The first two-story retail block will consist of 2 halls of 9,200 sq.m each. It is planned to house a food supermarket in the hall on the first floor, and exhibitions of industrial goods and exhibitions on the second floor. household equipment. The second block is an exhibition block. These will be two halls of 9000 sq.m. They are expected to host international exhibitions and fairs, entertainment and sporting events. IN trading floor There will be two more cafes with 200 seats.
But that's not all. We hope that Expobel will become the first shopping town in Belarus with restaurants, cinemas, and children's entertainment areas. Its visitors will be able to spend time in a bowling alley, a casino, and a disco. All this will be built here, on the territory of the complex.
Where, then, is the place of the current market with its kiosks and containers in the structure of the new and, obviously, modern complex?
I believe that for every type of product there is a buyer, and I think that shopping arcades of kiosks and containers like ours will always exist on a par with supermarkets and boutiques. In any case, we will not forcibly remove them until they are in demand by the consumer.
Nevertheless, in the minds of the majority of the population, Aquabel and Expobel are markets. How did the idea of creating a market transform into the idea of creating an exhibition complex?
The process was just the opposite. In 1998, we came up with the idea of creating an exhibition center. built "Aquabel". At that time, as now, Belarus had an insignificant exhibition complex "BelEXPO" of 3 thousand square meters by world standards. It is difficult to hold a prestigious exhibition on the basis of such a complex that would interest serious participants. Maybe they don’t come to us because there is nowhere to invite them?
Then, in 1995, we decided to create an exhibition complex working for agriculture, and called it the Agribusiness Research and Production Center.
In September 1999 The exhibition company JSC "AquabelEXPO" held an exhibition of computer equipment "Infobel" at the center, and in October 1998. - exhibition "Special transport". The financial result did not satisfy the organizers. total area exhibition halls at that time were not so large - only 4.5 thousand square meters, the hotel complex was not put into operation, which determined the great prestige of exhibitions at BelEXPO at that time. It turned out that for six months we were thinking about what to do with the empty space.
In May 2000 We held an agricultural fair in the Minsk region, which marked the beginning of the clothing market. Just at this time, the kiosks were removed from the Komarovsky market, and people poured here.
So, unnoticed even by the organizers themselves, a market appeared in the form of shopping arcades made of containers and kiosks - a strange, spontaneous formation.
— Expobel began to be built because you were haunted by the idea of building an exhibition complex, or were there other reasons?
I really didn’t want to give up the idea. But there were other reasons. The beginning of the reconstruction of the ring road and the tasks assigned to the Ministry of Transport regarding its commissioning by October 2002. forced the management of CJSC "CC "Aquabel" to reconsider the timing and pace of construction of the new complex and plan to put the first stage into operation within the same time frame. Moreover, we were warned in writing that with the opening of the Moscow Ring Road, entry from its side should be closed to ensure traffic safety .
Over the course of a year, we built electrical substations, parking lots, and open exhibition areas with all engineering communications, to which the shopping rows of kiosks and containers were moved.
— Pyotr Nikolaevich, how soon do you plan to “bless” the capital with a modern exhibition complex?
By the end of this year, we intend to commission trade and exhibition halls and administrative building. In 2004 -- the main exhibition pavilion and entertainment and recreation complex for exhibition visitors. Thus, by the end of 2004, if nothing interferes with us, Belarus, like all European capitals, will have its own trading town, where you can buy everything you need, and visit the exhibition, and take part in it, and relax. But, I emphasize, first of all, this is an exhibition complex, trade only accompanies it.
“We have been waiting for this pavilion for a long time”
The turnover of funds in this area of our neighbor and ally Russia, which accounts for about 50% of all exhibition events held in the territory former USSR, reached 250--300 million USD. The number of business entities working in this and related areas has exceeded a thousand.
In countries such as Germany and the USA, revenues associated with exhibition activities exceed 5 and 12 billion USD, respectively.
As well as Russian market inferior to American and European, Belarusian lags behind Russian. In 2000 The turnover of funds in Belarusian exhibition activities amounted to 7 million USD. In the last two years, such statistics have not been kept at all, but the changes (if any) are unlikely to be dramatic. On domestic market There are 6 exhibition companies and also a couple of dozen “subcontractors”.
Therefore, the initiative of a private domestic company to create a modern exhibition complex in the capital with all the necessary infrastructure looks extremely attractive.
True, it is somewhat unusual for Belarus, which is timidly entering the path of the market, that a private company intends to build a large and modern exhibition complex. “It seems to me that only the state can handle such a project. Its payback period is at least 10 years; what commercial organization will do this?” -- shared his doubts in a conversation with a "NEG" correspondent CEO National Exhibition Center "BelEXPO" Alexey Ivanovich LAZUKO.
Irina Vladimirovna MAKHORKINA,
Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Trade, Head of the Department of Exhibitions and Fairs of the Ministry of Trade:
“I’m glad that there are such grandiose plans”
Of course, there is not enough exhibition space in Belarus. We face the problem of accommodating everyone whenever large exhibitions are held, for example, automobile or construction exhibitions.
Therefore, if everything that the organizers have in mind is actually built and at the same time they are able to create all the conditions necessary for exhibitions, it will be good.
As a specialist who has devoted 20 years to organizing exhibitions, I would like to warn that the difficulty is not so much in the construction of such a complex, but in the possibilities of its full operation. The 18 thousand square meters that Expobel intends to offer at the first stage is 2 times more than what the two existing complexes have today. But both sites host one exhibition no more than three times a year (automotive, construction and food). Will there be enough people willing to occupy the created areas? After all, the largest exhibition company, BelEXPO, has its own pavilions, and naturally it wants to operate them effectively.
I would like to wish those who have undertaken this task success. If everything works out, we will be happy to cooperate with them. For now, this complex does not exist. Perhaps, as often happens, they will decide to occupy all the shopping arcades, realizing that organizing an international exhibition is a very difficult and troublesome task.
Clothing and construction markets. Today the complex operates as usual, and the owners have plans for its large-scale reconstruction . the site found out what changes entrepreneurs and buyers need to prepare for.
Develop new project the Expobel shopping center began at the end of 2013, the co-owner clarifies Petr Sinkevich. "The shopping and entertainment center was put into operation 8 years ago, so there was a need for its reconstruction. To develop a preliminary design, we turned to the international architectural bureau Leslie Jones Architecture, which thought out the concept for the development of Expobel", explains the reasons for the reconstruction, Pyotr Sinkevich.
The British company employs architects high level. “It was important for us that the reconstruction process would take place with the least inconvenience for both visitors to the shopping center and tenants. The designers of Leslie Jones Architecture worked to create some of the most significant projects shopping centers around the world, and their professional experience allowed us to organize the reconstruction process without significant damage to its operation at all stages of construction", - explains the development adviser at Expobel. Evgeniy Perventsev.
The Committee of Architecture and Urban Planning of the Minsk City Executive Committee has already approved the draft version of the reconstruction. The development of the architectural design is now being completed.
“Although the economic situation is deteriorating, we are trying to improve the operation of the complex and make it more attractive to buyers.For this purpose, there is a group of specialists and consultants who understand how to build a complex correctly, so that tenants who are concerned about the upcoming changes will also have a good time" , - says the co-owner of the shopping and entertainment center.
Indeed, not all tenants support the reconstruction of the trade and exhibition complex. Some of them complain that due to construction there will be fewer buyers, of whom there are already few. In addition, entrepreneurs fear that due to the move to new pavilions, rental rates may rise.
In response to the dissatisfaction of some tenants, Pyotr Sinkevich recalls how in 2002 entrepreneurs did not want to move from the Aquabel wholesale clothing market, which was located 500 meters from the current shopping center. “It took a lot of effort to convince them of the need for this step.Then entrepreneurs were also indignant, they said why are you building a new facility if there is a market. And having moved 13 years ago to a new exhibition complex, they received comfortable conditions a fundamentally new level. Later, life forced it - they rebuilt it into a shopping center. Now there is a need for its reconstruction.", says Pyotr Sinkevich.
There is no way to avoid some inconveniences for both entrepreneurs and buyers, agrees the co-owner of Expobel. " But we will try to keep them to a minimum. We either reconstruct a new shopping center and develop further, or we remain at the same level, over time turning into an archaic shopping center", - Peter Sinkevich clarified.
Both fruit and vegetable traders from the current open area, as well as new entrepreneurs, will move to the multifunctional center. The existing open food market will continue to operate in the same place, the co-owner of the center assured.
Open markets - construction and automobile - will be located next to the multifunctional center.
“In parallel with the work in the multifunctional center to improve traffic conditions at the entrance to the shopping and entertainment complex, the installation of a traffic-lightless entrance from Miroshnichenko Street is now being completed”, - Evgeny Perventsev clarified. To do this, three pavilions at the construction market had to be moved. Two entrepreneurs agreed to move, they were provided with new sites under the same conditions, another one refused.
“The agreements with these tenants were valid until June 30, 2015. All tenants who were affected by the transfer of retail space were notified within the terms specified in the lease agreement of the need to move to a new site. The lease terms for the new retail space did not change. In addition, , they were given rental holidays during the move", - added Evgeny Perventsev.
In the future, the site of the construction and automobile markets will be replaced by a pedestrian zone, and part of the territory will be occupied by an expanded bypass road.
From the side of the Logoisk tract, a pedestrian bridge, and from the side of Miroshnichenko Street (in the area of the current automobile market) there is an underground passage.
According to Peter Sinkevich, cars will be able to drive around the complex without hindrance. " The problem of pedestrian safety will be solved, they will not cross the roadway, and motorists will not leave their cars on the road.Traffic jams around and on the territory of the shopping complex will be a thing of the past.", - says Pyotr Sinkevich.
“It is planned to transfer all open trading floors to the new building - clothing, automobile, construction, and food. Its space will be enough not only for current tenants, but also for new entrepreneurs.With the move to a new modern building, not only the conditions for buyers will radically improve, but also the working conditions of the entrepreneurs themselves.", - Evgeny Perventsev voices his plans.
Until a new two-story shopping building is built, the open clothing market (also called the Chinese market) will operate in the same place, the administration assures. Now entrepreneurs are installing awnings over shopping arcades.
“The Council of Entrepreneurs appealed to the administration of the Expobel shopping center to coordinate the placement of a canopy structure to protect visitors and goods from weather factors (rain, sun, etc.) in accordance with the project developed by a specialized organization. In turn, the administration assisted in the approval of the project by the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Currently The project is currently undergoing additional approvals", - said the manager of Expobel. Ilya Mikhailovsky.
In parallel, it is planned to begin construction of a 4-story parking lot for 2,500 cars. It will appear on the side of the multifunctional center. After the commissioning of parking and new open parking lots, the number of parking spaces at Expobel will increase to 4,200.
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In the future, another building will appear on this site, into which a hypermarket will be moved. |
“No one will infringe on entrepreneurs; the well-being of any shopping center directly depends on the success of tenants. Moreover, they do not intend to stop trade during reconstruction. In the future, it will be possible to transport goods to a new site near the multifunctional center, for example, on Monday, when the market is not open Our efforts will be aimed at ensuring that the market does not stand idle, especially in the current and already difficult economic conditions,- says Ilya Mikhailovsky.
Evgeny Perventsev adds that when moving to a new open area Rental rates will not increase for entrepreneurs in the construction and automotive markets. “As for the planned indoor building, no one can give you a mathematically accurate forecast of what the economic situation in the world and with regard to rental rates in particular will be, for example, in two to three years. We are monitoring the situation with rental rates in the city and We start from market indicators", - Evgeny Perventsev clarified.
And yet, some tenants from the construction market are planning to move out. For example, the owner of a sales pavilion paint and varnish materials intends to rent a retail outlet in a new microdistrict Kamennaya Gorka. "Rental prices are lower, you can find an option for 10 euros per square meter, and the flow of buyers is guaranteed for at least 4 years. And in this market it happens that in a week I sell only a couple of goods. In addition, in January our rent was raised by about 30%.", - the IP officer shared his plans.
“According to the generally accepted practice of operating shopping (as well as business) centers, the rental rate is denominated in conventional units. Accordingly, rental payments expressed in Belarusian rubles increased in proportion to the increase in the dollar/euro exchange rate against the national currency during this period,”- Evgeny Perventsev drew attention.
“The main question is where our market will be moved. If it’s in a multifunctional center, which is located behind the main market building, then we’ll have to move to another place. Now our kiosks are located in advantageous places, the buyer can park a car a few meters from the shopping arcades, and the multifunctional building center - dead place in terms of cross-country ability. If there are now more sellers in the market than buyers, then what will happen after the move?”, says Vladimir, an auto parts dealer.
The Expobel administration reassures entrepreneurs that the relocated market will be located in a favorable location. Nearby will be the main building of the shopping complex, a food market, as well as parking for visitors.
