| Moldova Center | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of the Moldova Center area | |
| Former names | Magazin Universal Moldova Moldova Mall |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Mixed use |
| Location | 1 Palat Street,Iași,Romania |
| Coordinates | 47°09′37″N27°35′15″E / 47.160259°N 27.587549°E /47.160259; 27.587549 |
| Completed | 1970 |
| Renovated | 2006 and 2015 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 7 |
| Floor area | 17,000 m2 (180,000 sq ft) |
Moldova Center is a mixed-use building located in theCivic Centre district ofIași,Romania. It was originally opened in 1970 under communist rule as a department store but eventually became a shopping centre and offices.[1]
Originally known asMagazin Universal Moldova, it was opened in 1970 as the largestdepartment store in theMoldavia region (with an area of 8,500 square meters).[2] It is located in the centre of Iasi, by the City Hall and St Nicholas' Cathedral.[3] It would sell clothing and food in a standard communist shop.[4] It was originally owned and run by Dănuț Prisecariu, however due to poor investments, he liquidated his companies and moved to Canada.[5] In 2006, Magazin Universal Moldova was enlarged and renamedMoldova Mall. With 9,561 m2 (102,910 sq ft)gross leasable area (GLA), the complex had 80 stores, 3cinema screens, and 14fast-food and formalrestaurants.[6]
In 2011, it was sold to Georg Telemann alongside the nearby Vitansis shopping centre for a token €5, plus €20 million worth of loans.[7] In 2014–2015, under Telemann's new ownership, the building was reconverted into a mixed-use property (with a total leasable area of over 16,900 square meters), with a compact shopping area covering the ground floor (supermarket, bank, confectionery and various services), and 14,600 square metres (157,153 sq ft) of class A offices on the floors 2 to 7.[8][9] The renovation project cost €10 million.[1] It was aimed to be constructed and run using environmentally friendly materials and renewable energy.[3]