Colombia. Fifteen shopping centers and 18 galleries of Grupo Éxito's real estate business, in 22 cities of the country, confirm that this market still has room to grow.
As part of this dynamic, the Viva brand participates with several of them and has been decisive in charting the route of what the group's directors now identify as "a new generation of this type of construction".
The path began in 2012, when the first one was inaugurated in Medellín. The concept bore fruit and two years later it arrived in Villavicencio; then, in 2015 and 2016, four, two per year, came into operation in Guajira, Barranquilla and Medellín, which added a couple more. Now, in just one month, the opening of another two is a fact.
"These are Viva Envigado, with 260,000 square meters of built area, which opened on October 5, and Viva Tunja, with 69,184 square meters in total, which will open its doors within seven days," said Juan Lucas Vega Palacio, vice president of Grupo Éxito.
According to the executive, the assets are part of Viva Malls, the vehicle specialized in the development and operation of commercial real estate spaces that in 2016 formed Grupo Éxito and Fondo Inmobiliario Colombia.
However, in addition to the business model, which is sole owner and for rent, and investment -about 800,000 million pesos- the new commercial offer is in line with the evolution of these constructions in the world, which have become meeting points where experiences with customers prevail.
The sustainable bet
In addition, there is the sustainable commitment in the projects. For example, with Viva Tunja the group will seek LEED silver certification, which is delivered to works that offer environmental, commercial and economic benefits. Among them, efficiency in the use of energy, the reduction of CO2 emissions and the optimization in the use of water.
Viva Envigado is on the same wavelength. Its construction is also responsible with the environment thanks to the saving of 35 percent of water in the bathrooms; Likewise, it has 130 bicycle parking lots and 18 showers, to which are added 140 exclusive parking lots for low-emission vehicles, electric, 70 carpooling parking lots (shared cars) and electrolineras, among others.
