"Forum's strong position in Silesia was confirmed by the factthat most of the commercial space was leased by a large number ofprestigious international tenants," says Malgorzata Trzaskowska, aretail manager for Quinlan Private Golub. Among those setting upshop are such retailers as Benetton, Carrefour, Pierre Cardin,Stradivarius and Triumph. Responding to consumer demand, almost 70%of the 130 stores at the Forum offer some sort of clothing orfootwear, says Trzaskowska.

In developing the asset, Quinlan Private Golub made aninvestment of about $100 million in Forum Gliwice, companyofficials estimate. The organization is concentrated on buildingand investing in Central and Eastern Europe, and currently has morethan 23 million sf under its purview. QPG's hands-on approachinvolves all aspects of real estate investment, including asset andproperty management for product types including hotels, mixed-use,multi-family, retail and residential. The group retains asubstantial presence in Poland even following the Forum Gliwicedivestment.

Besides expanding retail choices for residents of Gliwice, whosepopulation is about 200,000, the Forum is considered the region'sfirst lifestyle center, incorporating dining and entertainmentoptions into the shopping experience. A 13-screen cinema has becomean especially popular attraction, says Trzaskowska, while thecomplex also has a 70,000-sf supermarket, 20,000-sf play area andparking for 1,000 vehicles. The Forum accommodates public transitusers as well, notes Trzaskowska, with the mall having beenconstructed in the city center near the main railway station.