A few days ago, the Cabinet of Ministers of Cyprus approved the construction of the new Limassol Mall in the Agios Athanasios area of Limassol. The decision sparked a wave of criticism from various government departments and members of the public. As a result, on Wednesday, July 22, the conditions under which the large-scale project may proceed were officially published.
In particular, construction can only begin after the investors fulfill a number of mandatory requirements, the most important of which is the modernization of the surrounding road network. Before making its final decision, the government reviewed the opinions of all relevant authorities, government departments, and local administrations. After evaluating the submitted reports, the Cabinet of Ministers endorsed the recommendations of the Council for Examining Planning Deviations, which concluded that the project could move forward only if all specified conditions are strictly met. The main objective is to prevent traffic conditions from worsening once the large shopping centre opens.
New Roads and Interchanges Must Come First, Then the Shopping Centre
One of the project's key conditions is the completion of major road infrastructure works before the new shopping centre begins operating. Cyprus' Public Works Department has required a comprehensive upgrade of the transport infrastructure surrounding the future Limassol Mall. The plans include the construction of three roundabouts, the widening of several roads around the development site, and the reconstruction of a number of signal-controlled intersections.
According to experts, these measures will significantly increase the capacity of the road network, improve traffic safety, and prevent serious congestion once the shopping centre opens. In addition to the transport infrastructure requirements, investors will also have to comply with other mandatory conditions prepared by the Council for Examining Planning Deviations. After receiving official notification, the project owners must confirm that all requirements have been fulfilled. Only then will full-scale construction be allowed to begin. According to preliminary estimates, construction will take at least two years.
Who Will Build Limassol Mall and How Much Will the Project Cost?
The new shopping centre is being developed by the shareholder group behind Nicosia Mall in partnership with the Papantoniou Group, which plans to create a modern multifunctional retail complex in Limassol. According to the Environmental Impact Assessment submitted by the investors to Cyprus' Department of Environment, the total cost of the project will reach €95 million. Of this amount, €55 million will be invested directly in the construction of the shopping centre and its infrastructure, while a further €40 million will be invested by future tenants to fit out and equip their retail spaces.
Despite receiving government approval, construction equipment will not arrive on site until all mandatory conditions—primarily those related to road infrastructure improvements—have been fulfilled. In this way, the Cypriot authorities have adopted a phased approach to one of the country's largest commercial developments in recent years: first, road and transport infrastructure upgrades; then, the construction of Limassol Mall. This approach is intended to ensure smooth traffic flow, reduce pressure on surrounding areas, and create the conditions for the successful operation of the future shopping centre without causing major disruptions for Limassol residents.