The target date for the opening of the Markovo Tepe Mall in Plovdiv is November 2010, according to Melina, the Bulgarian-Israeli firm that is the investor in the project.
 
The mall was proceeding on schedule, Melina said, after being asked whether the project was running to plan given previous media reports that it would open in spring 2010.
 
"Due to the current market situation there is no investor that is not making very careful research when is the best to open a shopping centre in order to guarantee the success of the mall and the retailers," a statement said.
 
In spring 2010, three large-scale shopping centres opened in Bulgaria: Serdika Center and The Mall in Sofia and Grand Mall in Varna.
 
"Currently we are 70 per cent rented and due to the excellent location of the shopping centre in the heart of the city, we are positive that upon the opening we will have full occupancy," Melina said.
 
Earlier media reports put the value of the project at 65 million euro.
 
Markovo Tepe Mall is on the junction of Plovdiv’s Ruski Blvd, Gladstone Street and Dragan Tsankov Street.
 
Two companies, the Israeli Peleg Architects, and the Plovdiv-based RG Projects, designed the mall, led by chief architects Manuel Manuelian and Vesselin Roussev.
 
Structurally, the complex consists of a three level low block and a high-rise 10 storey main building along Ruski Blvd.
 
Four underground levels are underneath the mall totalling 21 000 sq m in area with an underground parking lot with capacity for 600 vehicles. On the top floor of the mall will be a 2000 sq m supermarket.
 
According to the website of Forton, which is arranging tenants for the project, there will be more than 100 shops, a Billa supermarket, restaurants, cafes and a food court.
 
Speaking at the March 2009 ceremony inaugurating the project, Yakov Niv, the manager of the Israeli–Bulgarian company Melina Ltd, the main investor in the project, said: "Markovo Tepe Hall has an excellent location, it will therefore guarantee investments, it has excellent management and services and professional expertise in design and construction – these are just some of the advantages that make it truly special".