Sonae Sierra expands its service portfolio in Morocco with Aeria Mall

• Sonae Sierra brings its portfolio of Moroccan shopping centres under management to three properties, totalling 84,800 sqm GLA.

• Reify., Sonae Sierra’s development services brand, has now provided more than 47 projects and market study services for over 15 clients in the country.

Porto – Portugal, 15 December 2021

Sonae Sierra has signed a new property management and leasing contract for Aeria Mall, a new shopping centre in Casablanca. The new management contract follows work done by Reify., which provided lay-out, concept design and technical services for the shopping centre.

Comprising 25,000 sqm GLA, Aeria Mall is located in Casablanca’s up-and-coming urban district, Casa Anfa, occupying the former Casablanca airport site. From 2022, Sonae Sierra will manage the shopping centre enriching the customer offer, services, and experience.

With the addition of Aeria Mall in Casablanca (25,000 sqm GLA); Sonae Sierra now manages three shopping centres in the country, including Arribat Centre in Rabat (44,800 sqm GLA); and Carre Eden in Marrakesh (15,000 sqm GLA); a total of 84,800 sqm GLA under management, representing over 190 shops.

With over 30 years of international property management experience, the last 10 of which it has also been active in Morocco, Sonae Sierra has developed a strategy to create differentiating and multi-channel experiences in its shopping centres under management.

Targets include adding value for consumers, retailers, and partners, while anticipating digitalization and sustainability trends in retail and real estate.

Cristina Santos, Sonae Sierra’s Managing Director for Property Management and Leasing, said: “We are very pleased to see the trust upheld in our long-term know-how of the Moroccan market and in our capacity to create differentiating destinations that anticipate shopping, services and leisure trends. The growth of our Moroccan portfolio is proof of our capacity to deliver to partners our international expertise with local acumen.

With our value creation capacity, Aeria Mall promises to be a unique destination for experiences, with original concepts and impressive entertainment – the ideal place to relax and enjoy quality time with family and friends.”​

Anfa Realties’ CEO, Younes Essassi, added: “We are very glad to expand our partnership with Sonae Sierra and continue working with such a professional team with state-of-the-art expertise from concept to delivery and management. We are sure they will contribute to the success of this amazing project.”

Reify.’s role in Aeria Mall included the successful delivery of a market study and layout services for the urbanization of Casa Anfa. Additionally, Reify. also developed a state-of-the-art Food Hall concept, created distinctive internal design experiences, and auditing and technical engineering services.

Today, Aeria Mall is a proximity shopping centre distinguished by 93 shops, including a Marjane supermarket, plus national and international brands in the world of ready-to-wear, fashion accessories, beauty, home furniture and much more. Aeria Mall also offers a unique Food Hall with distinct restaurants and zones, as well as a cinema and gym. The shopping centre represents a well-balanced space between shopping and leisure-time activities.

Aeria Mall is part of a project, Casa Anfa, which also includes an office and a residential component, inserted in a larger development scheme covering 350 hectares. The overall district is firmly committed to sustainable development. The city of Casablanca has decided to dedicate no less than a third of this project to green spaces, including a central metropolitan park of 50 hectares. Complementing its broad offer of residential property, offices, and the green spaces afforded by Parque d’Anfa, the entire area is served by two tramway stations and offers very good accessibility.