{"id":6353,"date":"2025-10-27T23:42:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T22:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/?p=6353"},"modified":"2025-10-27T23:42:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T22:42:50","slug":"twenty-years-of-silesia-city-centre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/twenty-years-of-silesia-city-centre\/","title":{"rendered":"Twenty years of Silesia City Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An interview with Agnieszka Nizio, director of Silesia City Centre in\u00a0Katowice, awarded Leader by\u00a0Vocation,<\/em> on successful development of one of the\u00a0largest and\u00a0most\u00a0recognisable shopping centres in\u00a0the Silesian Province and the whole country, which merges shopping, entertainment and\u00a0social functions, while setting trends on the Polish market. The\u00a0Centre\u2019s awarded\u00a0the\u00a0title of The Best & More<\/em>.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This year, Silesia City Centre is celebrating its 20th anniversary, a\u00a0beautiful one. How does it make you feel?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an extraordinary experience to partake such an important moment in the history of Silesia. Although I\u2019ve been managing the centre for less than a year, I can feel the energy of the place and I understand the role it plays in the lives of the region\u2019s residents. Twenty years is a wonderful time, during which Silesia has established its position and become a symbol of changes taken place in Katowice. Many people still remember the very beginnings and the excitement felt during the opening, so today, looking at this anniversary, I see not only the history of the building, but mainly the history of the people \u2013 customers, employees and partners who have created this place over two decades. Today, I\u2019m proud of what we\u2019ve managed to build and joyously think of the Silesia growing in the coming years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were to point out the milestones in the Silesia history, what would they be?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Certainly, its opening in 2005 \u2013 it truly was a turning point when the former \u201cGottwald\u201d mine transformed into a modern centre, simultaneously retaining traces of the past, such as the \u201cJerzy\u201d shaft. It\u2019s a unique example of revitalisation, showing possible merger of history and modernity. Another milestone undoubtedly was the grand opening after extension in 2011, which attracted massive attention. This event made a lasting impression on the industry and showed Silesia\u2019s ambitions to set standards. Today, we\u2019re already in a new phase, focusing on strengthening Silesia\u2019s position as a place that merges shopping, entertainment and social functions, while setting trends on the Polish market. The centre is owned and managed by NEPI Rockcastle, extensively experienced in this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Katowice residents frequently mention Silesia as a\u00a0place not only for shopping, but also as part of their everyday life. What makes people identify with it so strongly?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I think it\u2019s the extremely wide, fashion-oriented offer, including premium brands, both global and Polish, difficult to find in other shopping centres. But Silesia isn\u2019t just about shopping \u2013 it\u2019s also a place for unique events and emotions. We regularly organise events attracting thousands, giving them the opportunity to meet famous personalities, attend concerts or take part in special events. In summer, our Summer Park is open to families wanting to spend time outdoors, and in winter, we open an ice rink, already a fixed point in our calendar. It\u2019s also a space for business meetings \u2013 many professional conversations and initiatives take place in our caf\u00e9s and restaurants. This diversity made Silesia a place that accompanies residents in many aspects of their lives and builds a real bond with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Centre is located in a\u00a0place of unique history. Do the residents still feel its mining character?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yes, definitely. From the very beginning, we all wanted the memory of the mine to be present in the new space. That\u2019s why the \u2018Jerzy\u2019 shaft and fragments of the old buildings have been preserved. It\u2019s not only an element of architecture, but also a symbol of the history and identity of Silesia, giving the Centre a unique character \u2013 it\u2019s not an anonymous shopping centre, but a place deeply rooted in local tradition. I believe this awareness adds authenticity to Silesia City Centre and makes residents feel \u201cat home\u201d while each visit. It\u2019s a space telling their story while being open to new generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Silesia City Centre has been setting market trends for years. How does it build its competitive advantage today?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of our distinguishing features is the range of premium offer, including Polish brands, becoming increasingly important to customers. These include La Mania, one of the most recognisable Polish fashion houses, \u0141ukasz Jemio\u0142\u2019s atelier, Orska boutique with artistic jewellery blending craftsmanship with modern design, and Patrycja Aryton, a brand with a long tradition, focusing on elegance and timeless style. Our latest opening in this segment is Elementy, known for minimalist design and responsible approach to production. These brands perfectly complement the presence of global brands, creating a very strong mix, hard to find elsewhere. Silesia owes them becoming attractive to people looking for quality, original style and brands absent in other shopping centres, but also searching for high quality entertainment and unconventional experiences while visiting the Centre. This is an important factor as far as building a market leader position is concerned \u2013 both regionally and nationally. We want Silesia to be perceived as a unique place attracting not only customers but also brands wanting their growth in the environment of strong identity.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Agnieszka Nizio<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In recent years, shopping centres underwent significant changes. What makes Silesia stand out?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Customer expectations are changing \u2013 today, shopping centres are not only about shopping, but also about experiences, emotions and values. This perspective completely changes the approach to shopping centre management and development. That\u2019s why our tenants are growing with us \u2013 they\u2019re expanding and modernising their stores, introducing the latest shopping formats. We\u2019re also consistently expanding our entertainment and service offer, and developing cooperation with local partners \u2013 from cultural institutions to social organisations. With the Social Integration Centre in Bytom we\u2019ve recently launched a joint project, the participants of which take care of the greenery around the shopping centre. This initiative is yielding real results \u2013 it supports the environment and help s residents return to professional life. We also organise events bringing residents together and giving them a sense that Silesia is more than just a shopping centre \u2013 it\u2019s part of their city. Such activities show that a shopping centre can be a responsible and important participant in social life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, I\u2019d like to ask you about your award \u2013 the title of Leader by Vocation. What does it mean to you?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a\u00a0great honour and I\u00a0accept the award with deep gratitude. What\u2019s particularly valuable is that the award was granted by representatives of various environments \u2013 science, business, culture and the media. I\u00a0treat it as confirmation that Silesia is heading in the right direction, but also as a\u00a0commitment to continuously search for new development opportunities and to cooperate with the best.
Personally speaking, this award is also a\u00a0source of motivation. It shows that a\u00a0management style based on openness, dialogue and social sensitivity is noticed and appreciated. This gives me strength to take on new challenges and build a\u00a0centre respond ing to the needs of the future \u2013 in terms of commerce and social life. I\u00a0believe the coming years would bring us many more beautiful stories, written together with the residents of Katowice and the entire region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for the interview. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Beata Seku\u0142a<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An interview with Agnieszka Nizio, director of Silesia City Centre in\u00a0Katowice, awarded Leader by\u00a0Vocation, on successful development of one of the\u00a0largest and\u00a0most\u00a0recognisable shopping centres in\u00a0the Silesian Province and the whole country, which merges shopping, entertainment and\u00a0social functions, while setting trends on the Polish market. The\u00a0Centre\u2019s awarded\u00a0the\u00a0title of The Best & More. This year, Silesia City […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6354,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1116],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6353"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6353"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6353\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6364,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6353\/revisions\/6364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}