On Thursday, Luxembourg's Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, the Mayor of the City of Differdange, Roberto Traversini, the CEO of Ikogest, Eric Lux, and the Executive Chairman of Auchan Luxembourg, François Remy, officiated at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the Opkorn shopping centre in Differdange in which auchan will be the anchor tenant.
Construction of Opkorn shopping centre started in early March, with the official launch on Thursday - Opkorn is scheduled to open in late 2017 in Differdange.
More than a symbolic first stone, the ceremony comprised the laying of a double wall about 5 metres by 3 metres, weighing almost 5 tons. This piece will be specifically under the arch that will frame the main pedestrian entrance, designed by architect Stefano Moreno.
The prefabricated elements being assembled on site will by mid-June provide a clear idea of the silhouette of the building. Over the last few weeks, no less than 400 pillars have been buried up to 15m deep to provide the support for the building's foundation.
The structural work, performed by the company CLE, will continue until mid-November. This will be followed closely by other trades. In total, the site construction will involve twenty consultants and fifty building companies. Ikogest has made a preference for Luxembourg companies. Up to 150 workers will be engaged simultaneously on site, where the work will lead to the opening of the shopping centre at the end of 2017.
The €50 million project will house a 5,000 m2 Auchan hypermarket plus 27 boutique shops, 3 small shops (kiosques), 5 restaurants and terraces. Parking will be available for 500+ cars.
