Not few people expected the Val d’Europe shopping center and outlet to become an economic disaster when it was first opened in 1998.
And in the beginning it looked as if they were right since the whole place seemed to be deserted most of the time – especially if one kept its huge size in mind. The shops were empty most of the time and one asked how they could make any profit since the few visitors seemed only to tour the very well designed center instead of buying any goods – and someone carrying a shopping bag was a rare sighting.
But with the immense ongoing growth of the Val d’Europe housing and business districts, now inhabiting almost 20.000 people and offering even more jobs (40.000 inhabitants and 60.000 jobs are planned until 2017), the whole project turned into a success.
The whole Val d’Europe project became widely accepted and even won some prizes for architectural design.
But not only did not nearly as many shops close in the early phase as expected, the shopping area was even extended.
However, one mayor addition, the Delbard Garden Center opened in 2004 south of the original complex, had to been closed some time ago, leaving a whole deserted area behind.
Now it looks like this part of the Shopping complex could come to live again since three companies specializing in furniture and interior design, Roche Bobois, BoConcept and Habitat recently opened the gates of their large shops for costumers.