Wednesday, 22 October 2025
After almost two years of phased construction, EPG Group has completed the modernization and expansion of the Varyáda Shopping Center, the largest retail complex in the Karlovy Vary region. The €40 million investment increased the leasable area by one third to 27,000 square metres, introduced a new food court and a Premiere Cinemas multiplex, and upgraded the center’s overall interior. The redevelopment was carried out while operations continued, with the public reopening taking place on October 18.
According to Barbora Tesnerová, CEO and Managing Director of EPG Group, the modernization was designed to reflect the changing nature of shopping and the expectations of visitors. She noted that customers now look for an integrated experience that combines convenience, design, and leisure. The upgrade, she explained, was a response to increasing competition and the rising demand for higher-quality facilities. “Varyáda represents an investment in the future of retail in Karlovy Vary and ensures the center remains competitive for years to come,” Tesnerová said.
EPG Group’s Marketing Director Martin Malý said that the aim was to reinforce Varyáda’s role as a central part of community life. “It’s a place where people come not only to shop but also to meet friends, relax, and spend time. The new design, expanded offer of stores, and improved transport accessibility all strengthen the center’s position as a key destination for the wider region,” he said.
The modernization began in January 2024 and proceeded in stages so that shopping could continue without major disruptions. The first phase focused on the northern wing, where a 3,800-square-metre Albert hypermarket was built. The original store closed in August 2024 and reopened in late September in a new format featuring self-service checkouts and improved technology for customer convenience. Work on the Premiere Cinemas multiplex, with six screens and capacity for 1,000 viewers, began in June 2024 and finished in July 2025. In parallel, a new food court with ten restaurants opened in November 2024, followed by the completion of the front entrance passage in April 2025, which introduced several new fashion brands and a modern information point.
Ludvík Kucharič, project manager at Metrostav, which carried out the construction, said the main challenge was keeping the center open while undertaking structural works. This required precise coordination and planning, with more than 120 night shifts completed during the project. He explained that the construction team had to reinforce existing piles and reconfigure roof trusses to integrate the extensions while keeping the schedule intact.
The project was implemented in coordination with the City of Karlovy Vary, especially concerning transport connections and the organisation of construction phases. The investment has contributed to the area’s urban revitalization, expanded local services, and created new jobs. Martin Nikodém, Director of the Varyáda Shopping Center, said the modernization supports the city’s economic growth. “Varyáda plays an important role in the local economy. It creates employment, supports the service sector, and enhances Karlovy Vary’s attractiveness for residents and visitors alike,” he said.
Opened in 2005, Varyáda is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year as the most visited shopping destination in the Karlovy Vary region. After the modernization, the center now offers 27,000 square metres of retail space, more than 100 stores, a new food court, the Albert hypermarket, and the Premiere Cinemas multiplex. The shopping center attracts visitors from across western Bohemia and neighboring parts of Germany.
Varyáda forms part of EPG Group’s Czech portfolio, which also includes the Central Most shopping center. The company focuses on the long-term development and management of commercial real estate, with an emphasis on sustainable modernization and high-quality design in regional markets.
Photo: From left: Barbora Tesnerová, CEO of EPG Group, Martin Malý, Director of Marketing and Communications at EPG Group, Martin Nikodém, Director of OC Varyáda, Jan Kropáček, Project Manager at OM Consulting, Roman Uljanov, Project Manager at OM Consulting, Ivan Trojan, Director of Metrostav DIZ, Michal Mrštný, Architect at Ateliér SAEM.
