Retroville Mall Redevelopment

How We Transformed a Frozen Giant into the Heart of a New District

Client & Country

Private Investment, Ukraine & EU

Expertise

Architecture, Urban Strategy, Retail & Mixed-Use Redevelopment

Completion

2021 year

Size

~120,000 m² GBA

Retail complex redevelopment driven by strategic urban planning, optimized spatial design, and targeted tenant curation to maximize long-term commercial and community value.

Project Overview

Retroville is a 118,000 m² mixed-use retail, office and leisure complex. It is an urban catalyst that has driven the growth of a new residential neighborhood for tens of thousands of Kyiv residents.

The project was first launched in 2008 but remained unfinished for years. In 2016, it received a second chance and we achieved what once seemed impossible: we brought life into a steel and concrete skeleton, adapting it and completely rethinking its architecture, functions, and commercial model.

‍

No items found.

Urban Significance

Retroville has become the central hub of an existing and a new residential neighbourhood. The project was developed through the partnership of a leading Ukrainian developer and one of Lithuania’s most prominent business groups. The client’s ambition was not renovation, but the creation of a landmark of European quality – a building that would define the district.

No items found.

Scale & Programme

Over 65,000 m² of retail space
NOVUS hypermarket — 9,000 m²
Sports Centre with three swimming pools — 5,000 m²
DIY — 5,000 m²
Business Centre — 12,000 m²
Food Hall — 3,500 m² and 15 F&B units
Central Plaza under an ETFE dome — 1,700 m², up to 18 m high
Leisure & Entertainment Hub: 9-screen Cinema, Family Entertainment Centre, Landscaped public spaces and playgrounds

Key Challenges & Solutions Implemented

Non-functional central core with obsolete structural systems
Outdated MEP networks and limited engineering flexibility
Inefficient circulation and underutilized floor areas
Structural restrictions on height and building volume
High architectural and branding expectations

Retail Concept Redesign

Complete rethinking of the retail strategy and spatial layout to improve commercial performance.

We fully restructured the retail mix and layout: implemented new tenant navigation, added new functions and product groups, revised zoning, gallery configuration, and anchor sizes. A multifunctional central square was introduced, cross-visibility improved, and all shopfronts were made visually accessible.

Anchor Repositioning

Relocated major tenants to the perimeter and introduced a looped circulation system to increase visitor flow.

The hypermarket was reduced in size, a DIY was added. The entertainment center was moved from the first to the second level and places close to the cinema and food court. Anchor placement and size were balanced to enhance foot traffic throughout the center, improving circulation and overall visitor experience.

Central Square Creation

Formed a multifunctional ca 2000 m² public plaza with atrium as the social and spatial heart of the complex.

The original design positioned the ice rink and family entertainment center around the arena, blocking visitor flow and visual accessibility. We replaced this with a multifunctional central square, transforming it into a public space for events, exhibitions, concerts, and fairs.

Daylight Integration

Installed a 2,400 m² ETFE skylight to bring natural light and openness into the interior.

In order to create the feeling of an open-air plaza, we partially demolished the roof and installed a large skylight, enhancing natural lighting and spatial openness.

Gallery Optimization

Reduced redundant corridors and oversized widths, generating additional leasable area and better wayfinding.

We reconfigured gallery layouts to make units more rentable, maximize visibility of all shopfronts, improve cross-visibility at mall intersections, and widen galleries for comfortable kiosk placement and seating areas.

Engineering Upgrade

Applied structural and MEP innovations to maintain 4.2m shopfront heights within existing floor levels.

To ensure proper air circulation and accommodate ducts to the first floor while keeping the shopfront to me max height at 4.2 m, we replaced precast concrete slabs with metal beams housing the ventilation ducts inside the beams, and converted the rest of the structure to in-situ reinforced concrete.

BIM Coordination

Unified architecture, engineering, and interior design into a single 3D BIM model for precision and clash control.

We used five different software platforms to integrate architectural elements, structural components, engineering networks, and interior elements into one LOD 400-level BIM model, enabling precise implementation during reconstruction.

Façade Transformation

Designed a progressive façade composition transitioning from classical central elements to contemporary forms on the edges.

The façades reflect the evolution of the city from the Enlightenment era to the present day. Focus was placed on key conceptual areas, accentuated entrances, and visual accessibility. Main entrances were made open, bright, and double-height, with portals supporting canopies and enhancing visual prominence.

Tenant Guidelines

Developed an 80-page Tenant Handbook to standardise fit-out processes and ensure brand coherence.

We created a comprehensive guide regulating relationships between mall management and tenants, covering everything from signing LOIs to daily operations. It includes technical specifications, utility connections, fit-out requirements, documentation approval processes, delivery and waste management, coordination between neighboring tenants, and shopfront and signage standards.

Brand Alignment

Delivered a modern, European-level architectural identity consistent with the client’s strategic vision.

The overall architectural redesign and visual identity directly shaped the new brand concept and positioning, aligning the mall’s mission, values, and aesthetic under a unified perspective.

Economic Impact

+$180,000 annual revenue from an optimised hypermarket layout.
+2000 m² of retail space gained through reconfiguration and evacuation route optimisation.
Improved tenant appeal and higher occupancy rates.
Significant budget savings through value engineering.

Result

Retroville has been transformed from an outdated, unfinished shell into a vibrant district center — a place for shopping, leisure, sport, and community.

On its opening day, it welcomed Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko. Today, it operates as an urban magnet, attracting both residents and visitors.

Retroville demonstrates how bold architectural vision, precise engineering, and strategic commercial planning can turn a long-frozen structure into a successful driver of urban development.

Retroville exemplifies a successful urban regeneration project that blends commercial functionality, architectural expressiveness, and economic efficiency. Through strategic auditing, master planning, design optimisation, and international collaboration, an abandoned structure was reimagined into a vibrant lifestyle destination and anchor for a new urban district.

Get Your Express Architectural Analysis

Gain a professional, expert-led evaluation of your project that reveals opportunities for improvement, highlights potential risks, and provides clear recommendations

Request Analysis