The project for the transformation of the building of the Central Department Store (CUM) in Sofia will be presented today at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry the palace (BTPP), reports from the palace, BTA reported.
The company "Antica World" (Antika World), leading the project, plans to implement it in two phases. The first phase will be completed by April 2025, and the second is expected to be completed by 2027, Ahmed Nasser, the company's founder and director, said on September 10 in Burgas. The project aims to restore the functionality of the Center as a modern symbol of Sofia with an excellent location and utility for society, he noted then.
The director of "Antique World" also explained that the interior of the building will include three halls on the first floor - two exhibition halls for Bulgarian and Egyptian history, and one museum with a rose oil workshop. On the upper levels there will be a shopping area, restaurants and attractions, a spa center. A five-star hotel will be located on two floors. A convention area and co-working space, a business center and an accelerator are planned. There will also be a separate part for scientific research activity.
CUM building is planned to be a marketing, commercial and tourist center for the promotion of Bulgaria as a desired destination. Advertising the country as a destination for year-round health tourism is also among the project's ideas, Nasser also said.
Earlier, on August 22, Ahmed Nasser met with the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tsvetan Simeonov and with experts from the palace in connection with the project. At the meeting, the opportunities that TSUM will offer to Bulgarian producers, traders, start-up companies, consumers, as well as to guests of the city were discussed, the BTPP announced at the time.