Yurdaer Kahraman: “Shopping malls are no longer just places to shop; they have become the heart of cultural and social interaction.”
Managing leasing and operations for numerous commercial real estate projects both in Turkey and internationally, Fiba Commercial Properties (Fiba CP) participated in Retail Days, held at the Haliç Congress Center on May 29–30.
During the event, Yurdaer Kahraman, CEO and Board Member of Fiba CP, joined as a speaker in the panel titled “The Future of Shopping Malls: The New Role of Transformed Malls.”
A Changing Role for Shopping Malls
In his remarks at Retail Days, Kahraman emphasized the evolving role of malls:
“Shopping malls have moved beyond being just retail spaces and have become central to cultural and social life. Technology and changing consumer habits are pushing malls to transform, and at Fiba CP, we are proud to play a pioneering role in this transformation.”
A Prestigious Platform for the Industry
Retail Days is one of the most important events in the retail sector, bringing together leading figures and innovative ideas. At this year’s event, Fiba CP’s booth attracted significant interest. Additionally, the company hosted its traditional Fiba CP Cocktail, attended by Ayşecan Oktay Özyeğin, Vice Chairperson and Executive Board Member of Fiba Group, and Mehmet Güleşci, Board Member and Executive Committee Member of Fiba Group.
“As Mall Investors, We Are in the Same Boat as Our Retail Partners”
Kahraman highlighted the significance of collaboration in the retail and real estate sectors:
“Our industry is highly dynamic, contributing to foreign currency inflow, economic growth, and the realization of tourism’s true potential. As I always emphasize, as shopping mall investors, we are in the same boat with our retail partners. We can only continue forward with confidence if we act together.
At Fiba CP, we attach great importance to education. We must all invest in young people and provide them with learning opportunities at every chance we get.”
“Transferring Our Global Experience to the Sector”
Expressing his satisfaction with participating in the event, Kahraman added:
“Fiba CP is a pioneering commercial real estate investor operating in 4 countries with 11 shopping malls, more than 800,000 m² of leasable space, 4 residential complexes, 5 office buildings, 2 cinema complexes, and 1 hotel investment.
Leveraging the experience gained from our global investments, we provide value-added partnerships in mall management for investors and property owners in the sector.
Retail Days provided us with the opportunity to meet with leading brands and professionals in the industry, exchange ideas, and share our innovative solutions.”
“We Continue to Make a Difference in the Sector”
Kahraman also underlined Fiba CP’s ongoing achievements:
“With modern leasing and management strategies, we are turning shopping malls into lifestyle destinations, not just retail centers.
For instance, in Antalya’s Konyaaltı region, we have started leasing for the 25,000 m² Fenix Center. At Gebze Center, a Doğuş REIT investment, we have begun renovation works with a budget exceeding ₺100 million.
In Bucharest, Romania, our residential project will be completed in September 2024, delivering around 350 apartments to their owners.
Additionally, in Moldova, alongside our current mixed-use hotel-office-mall project, we are developing a 60,000 m² retail project that reflects the latest trends in shopping centers, with an opening planned for September 2026.
Renovation and expansion plans are ongoing in our existing malls, where we always add value with our architectural team. Each project has won international awards, proving our strong expertise in this field.
Just as in recent years, we will continue to grow in an organic and sustainable way in the future.”
“We Have Taken Over the Leasing and Management of M1 Adana Mall”
Highlighting the company’s growing partnerships, Kahraman stated:
“Being active in both the retail and commercial real estate sectors through our group companies is a major advantage for us. Since we know both sides very well, we can address their dynamics effectively.
At Fiba CP, we have taken important steps in asset management and leasing, not just as an investor. One example is our partnership with Erdemoğlu Holding. Together, we have taken over the leasing and management of M1 Adana Mall.
In both M1 Adana and M1 Konya malls, we are working on optimization, expansion, and renovation projects. These partnerships are carried out in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, and we are committed to achieving great results together.”
“We Must Take Responsibility for Future Generations”
Concluding his speech, Kahraman addressed the importance of sustainability:
“Perhaps the greatest challenge of our time is global warming and climate change. Fighting climate change and using resources efficiently are critical.
To leave a livable world for future generations, not only governments but also institutions and individuals must take responsibility.
At Fiba CP, we are implementing sustainability projects in both domestic and international malls. All our malls are Zero Waste certified.
In Turkey, our award-winning recycling projects at Gebze Center and İnegöl AVM stand out. Most recently, at our Starmall project in China, we launched a new solar energy project with an annual generation capacity of 2.2 million kWh. Covering 25,000 m², the solar panels have a lifespan of 25 years.
We will continue to leverage these experiences to develop sustainability projects in our malls both in Turkey and abroad.”
