MEC leased over 60,000m² in 2015

MEC METRO-ECE Centermanagement GmbH & Co. KG looks back on a successful year 2015 in terms of leasing performance. Under the leadership of Christian Thiele, the leasing department concluded new rental contracts and extended existing ones for a portfolio comprising 43 centers, with an area volume in excess of 60,000m². "In terms of the space requirements of the retailers, in the last year we experienced stable levels of demand for spaces over 500m², but relatively reserved demand in the range of 100-500m²," explains Head of Leasing, Christian Thiele.

New formats and old acquaintances

With Swiss Sense (Kurpfalz Center, Mannheim) and Hornbach Compact (Rheinhessen Center, Alzey) two new large-area tenants were gained. New rental contracts and extensions were concluded by MEC with the following renowned retailers, amongst others: dm drogerie-markt, Rossmann, Bonita, New Yorker, Jeans Fritz, Mister&Lady, Adler, C&A, Media Markt, Saturn, Medi Max, Roller, Dänisches Bettenlager, Woolworth, Siemes Schuhe, Thalia, MC Paper, Ernsting's family, Valora, Modepark Röther, Deichmann, Reno, and K+K Schuhe.

Praktiker remains an issue

There continues to be a focus on the reletting of the spaces formerly occupied by Praktiker. This successfully took place at two more locations last year, with Modepark Röther at the Ostsee Park in Rostock, and Hornbach Compact at the Rheinhessen Center in Alzey. "At the remaining four locations, we are still working on practicable solutions, and are also in close communication with the cities and municipal authorities. The problem is often very narrowly formulated zoning plans, which do not permit any letting other than DIY stores," explains Thiele.

Growth necessitates workforce expansion

The expansion of the portfolio last year, and the future expansion plans of MEC, have made it necessary to increase the workforce in the leasing department. In 2015, two new leasing managers were already added, in the form of Andreas Köhler and Zulfukar Tosun. A further vacant position is expected to be filled in the new year.