Momentum Leisure, a leading developer of theme parks in Central Europe specialising in leisure, entertainment, and retail, has acquired 6.7 hectares of development land in southern Poland from Mitiska REIM, the Belgian investor in convenience real estate across Europe. Momentum Leisure plans to develop a state-of-the-art theme and water park on the site, located in Upper Silesia, Poland’s largest metropolitan area with five million residents and one of the country’s strongest economic regions.
The plot is situated adjacent to Europa Centralna, the largest retail project in Gliwice, spanning 27 hectares. It is located at the intersection of the A1 motorway (Poland’s primary north-south route) and the A4 motorway (the main east-west corridor). With four million people living within a 30-minute drive of the retail and leisure site and a total catchment area exceeding 11 million, the location also provides access to the Czech market. The theme and water park is expected to open in 2026.
In line with its value-add strategy, Mitiska REIM is repositioning Europa Centralna as a convenience real estate asset aligned with ESG criteria. This includes a diversified mix of amenities for daily essentials, DIY, household goods, fashion, discount items, leisure, and entertainment. The collaboration with Momentum Leisure will transform it into a “retailtainment” destination. For Momentum Leisure, this marks its fourth theme park in Poland and second water park in the country. Momentum Leisure plans to develop a total of ten theme parks as part of its strategy for Europe’s growth markets.
Sylvie Geuten-Carpentier, Managing Partner at Mitiska REIM, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Momentum Leisure on this project and to expand Europa Centralna’s offerings with a theme and water park designed for children and families. Europa Centralna is already the largest shopping destination in Gliwice – our goal is to make it a popular regional attraction with an appealing combination of retail, leisure, and entertainment.”
Wouter Dekkers, CEO of Momentum Leisure, added: “Our collaboration with Mitiska REIM is a true win-win, integrating shopping and leisure at a prime location. We look forward to developing this site and potentially others together in the future. Additionally, as part of our net-zero strategy, both the theme and water parks will meet sustainability standards. We anticipate opening the park in 2026.”
Janusz Botorek, co-investor and local operational partner for the retail project, noted: “We see immense potential for Europa Centralna as a convenience real estate asset. Strategically located in Upper Silesia, one of Poland’s key economic regions, Europa Centralna is ideally positioned to serve the four million consumers living within a 30-minute drive.”
About Mitiska REIM
Mitiska REIM, based in Belgium, is Europe’s leading investor in convenience real estate, including retail parks, self-storage, and urban logistics projects. The company focuses on the growing demand for urban infill locations, accessible sites, flexible design, sustainable solutions, and active asset management. Mitiska REIM employs a partnership-driven investment model, working closely with experienced local co-investment partners.
As a responsible fund manager, Mitiska REIM prioritises ESG factors to support sustainable urban growth. Over the past 12 years, the company has launched five funds and built a portfolio of 92 properties, representing approximately 1.2 million square metres of gross leasable area in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Mitiska REIM is an authorised AIFM investment fund manager regulated by the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA).
For more information, visit: www.mitiska-reim.com.
About Momentum Leisure
Momentum Leisure focuses on creating leading theme parks in Central and Eastern Europe, delivering safe, successful, and beloved family experiences.
Since 2008, the company has collaborated with business partners to build collective expertise, knowledge, and capabilities to scale theme park developments. These partnerships have grown through years of cooperation, intensifying and formalising in joint ventures. This includes securing shared locations, constructing parks, theming attractions, and operating parks.
Following its establishment and acquisitions in 2020, Momentum Leisure currently operates two parks in Poland (in Kownaty near Berlin and Warsaw), with a third theme park set to open in June 2023 in Gdańsk and several others under development. Momentum Leisure’s strategy encompasses ten theme parks, with a strong emphasis on safety, family experiences, and sustainability.
For more information, visit: www.momentumleisure.com
