Completed over 20 years ago, the Plejada Sosnowiec Shopping Centre is undergoing a thorough refurbishment that will transform the shopping experience for its customers. A revamped F&B zone, new leisure areas and a refreshed design are among the key upgrades chosen by the Centre Owner in collaboration with Cushman & Wakefield teams responsible for leasing, management and project and development services for the retail scheme. This makeover marks a significant milestone in aligning Plejada Sosnowiec with the expectations of today’s shoppers.
This transformation is well aligned with the current trend of repositioning older retail properties whose untapped potential – if properly leveraged – can deliver tangible results. According to the latest data from Cushman & Wakefield’s report Shopping Dilemmas: Shopping Centre or Retail Park?, 42% of urban residents visit shopping centres at least once a week and 84% at least once a month. Notably, the share of people visiting shopping centres less than once a month has shrunk by 11 percentage points since 2023.
Non-retail functions have recently emerged as a key driver of visits to shopping centres – 50% of respondents now choose them for entertainment, with a strong F&B offering also playing a significant role. These features increasingly differentiate shopping centres from retail parks which are typically more compact and geared towards quick purchases.
"This clearly demonstrates that refreshed and well-managed retail facilities can attract customers once again – particularly when they respond to evolving consumer expectations. Younger shoppers, those aged 18–29, increasingly view shopping centres as social spaces for meetings, relaxing and enjoying entertainment. This demographic, amongst others, is driving the development of new F&B zones, leisure and relaxation areas. At Plejada Sosnowiec, these additions are poised to become an integral part of the local community’s daily life,” explains Ada Budynek, Leasing Team Manager, Cushman & Wakefield.
New consumer needs, a new design and new functions
"The concept behind the transformation of Plejada Sosnowiec was informed by market analyses, including GfK’s surveys on evolving consumer needs. In recent years, numerous new housing estates have been developed near the shopping centre, with families raising children making up the majority of the local population. These residents seek not only an engaging shopping experience, but also access to leisure and entertainment spaces,” says Magdalena Gniazdowska, Retail Leasing Manager, Cushman & Wakefield.
The refurbishment is expected to take two years and will be carried out in two stages, each focusing on a different part of the shopping centre.
"The first phase of the redevelopment focuses on the closed section of Plejada Sosnowiec and will see the completion of a modern food court and the addition of a children’s playground – addressing a gap in the current offering. We will also enhance the tenant mix with new F&B and retail concepts. We also want to strengthen our entertainment offering to better meet the needs of local residents,” explains Paula Bartosik, Manager of the Plejada Shopping Centre in Sosnowiec, Asset Services, Cushman & Wakefield.
The revamped food court will have a capacity of approximately 300 seats and accommodate five new F&B tenants. In addition, the first phase will include the installation of street furniture, new toilet facilities and an exit leading to the outdoor chillout zone. This stage of the refurbishment is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The second phase of the project will focus on renovating the entrance façade and upgrading the operating section of the shopping centre. Planned works include the replacement of ceilings, lighting, shopfronts, flooring, as well as the refurbishment of toilets. This section of the shopping centre will also see the installation of new street furniture, breakout spaces and refreshed colours. All the works are scheduled for completion in 2026.
Technical precision in practice
The Project & Development Services team of Cushman & Wakefield is responsible for the technical aspects and coordination of the refurbishment project.
"We provide Plejada Sosnowiec with full support at each stage of the project by offering comprehensive project and cost management services. Preparation for such a far-reaching redevelopment requires coordinated efforts at multiple levels, along with project planning from both technical and formal perspectives. Considerable time and internal consultations went into the design work, which required an optimal approach to the process of selecting modern finishing materials, the planned project budget, and the technical challenges of redeveloping a building over 20 years old. Given that the refurbishment is taking place while the shopping centre remains in operation, careful planning and an experienced general contractor are crucial to the project’s success. I am confident that our collective efforts during the project preparation phase will translate into its swift completion,” explains Marcin Golly, Associate, Head of Project Management Poland Project & Development Services.
The concept design for the redevelopment of the shopping centre was prepared by VSF Creative, while Chapman Taylor is responsible for the building permit design, the detailed design and obtaining all the required permits. The general contractor is Muniak.
Why are upgrades essential today?
Plejada Sosnowiec has played an important role in the local community’s daily life since 2001, serving as a shopping, socializing and leisure destination. Over the years, it has established a strong market position, but the rapidly changing retail landscape and evolving consumer expectations now call for a new approach. Today’s consumers seek not only a wide selection of brands but also comfortable spaces, modern F&B and entertainment zones, and additional amenities that will make a visit to a shopping centre a complete experience.
"According to Cushman & Wakefield’s ‘Trends Radar’ report, Poland came second in Europe for new retail supply in 2024 and is expected to maintain this position in 2025, with retail development activity projected to slow in 2026–2027. However, as competition continues to intensify and the market matures, the refurbishment of existing retail facilities is becoming inevitable,” explains Michał Masztakowski, Head of Retail Agency Poland, Cushman & Wakefield.
Growing e-commerce penetration is also transforming the way consumers use retail spaces. Omnichannel strategies are emerging as a key element for the retail sector, seamlessly blending online and offline shopping experiences – from click-and-collect services to on-site digital solutions, such as self-service kiosks, and loyalty apps.
"The refurbishment of retail schemes like Plejada Sosnowiec is the right strategy for staying competitive and responding to the expectations of today’s consumers. A fresh makeover, the introduction of new technologies and the addition of entertainment and F&B facilities can help successfully reposition a retail property and capture new consumer demographics,” concludes Michał Masztakowski.