The Council of Ministers has approved a planning permit by way of exception for a new €95 million Limassol mall in the Municipality of Amathounta (Agios Athanasios Municipal District), arguing that the project will help revitalise commercial activity in Limassol while supporting long-term economic growth.
The development, with an estimated construction cost of €55 million and a further €40 million expected to be invested by retailers in fitting out their stores, was proposed by C.A.C. Papantoniou Ltd and Swillmatch Ventures Ltd, whose consortium includes the Nicosia Mall Group, Athienitis Hypermarkets, Zorbas Group, Voici La Mode – Marks & Spencer and Jumbo Trading Ltd.
The application received a unanimous positive recommendation from the Council for the Study of Planning Exceptions (SY.ME.PA.), subject to strict planning conditions, compensatory measures and extensive traffic improvement works.
Why the project was approved
Despite objections from the Municipality of Amathounta, the Mayor of Limassol, the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK) and businesses in Limassol’s traditional commercial centre, the Cabinet concluded that the development is of major public importance.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the main reasons include:
- balancing commercial activity between eastern Limassol and the existing My Mall in the west;
- the absence of designated regional shopping centres in the Limassol Local Plan;
- the lack of suitable land within the city’s central commercial district;
- the area’s ongoing transition into a business and commercial hub; and
- the project’s expected creation of thousands of jobs during both construction and operation.
The Cabinet also argued that maintaining the vitality of Limassol’s historic centre is primarily the responsibility of local authorities through targeted urban regeneration policies rather than restricting developments outside the city centre.
Major traffic upgrades required
Before the Limassol mall can open, the developers must finance and complete a series of road improvements agreed with the Public Works Department.
The traffic assessment found that parts of the existing road network already experience congestion levels of up to 138%.
Required infrastructure works include:
- new roundabouts at Agiou Athanasiou Avenue/Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue and within the industrial area;
- widening sections of Agiou Athanasiou Avenue and Andrea Kariolou Street;
- upgrades to major signal-controlled junctions;
- installation of smart traffic light systems;
- construction of an elevated pedestrian bridge over Agiou Athanasiou Avenue;
- improvements to local junctions and one-way traffic arrangements; and
- a financial contribution towards additional traffic signals.
According to the proposal, these measures are expected to reduce congestion compared with current traffic levels.
Public square and digital museum
The approved plans also include significant architectural changes designed to improve the surrounding urban environment.
A planned multi-storey car park has been replaced with a second underground parking level, allowing the creation of a 5,000-square-metre public square accessible around the clock.
Together with 3,400 square metres of landscaped public green space, the development will provide approximately 8,400 square metres of publicly accessible outdoor space.
A 700-square-metre interactive digital museum dedicated to ancient Amathus will also be created in cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Culture.
The exhibition space will feature immersive technology, including virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms, interactive displays and AI-powered experiences exploring:
- the Temple of Aphrodite;
- the ancient agora; and
- the ancient harbour of Amathus.
Entry to the museum will be free.
€500,000 in community benefits
As part of the planning approval, the developers must provide €500,000 in compensatory contributions.
The funding will be allocated as follows:
- €100,000 to the Municipality of Amathounta for environmental, road and community improvement projects;
- €100,000 to the Agios Athanasios Industrialists Association for infrastructure upgrades within the industrial area; and
- €300,000 to the Cyprus Land Development Corporation (KOAG) to support affordable housing projects in Limassol District.
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