The cost of building shopping malls in Ukraine has increased by 20% during the war.

The construction of shopping malls is actively progressing in Ukraine. After 2022, 56 shopping malls have been launched or restored with almost one million square meters of retail space. By 2025, it is planned to put into operation about 250,000 square meters, which equates to 14 new shopping centers. In 2026, approximately 280,000 to 290,000 square meters are expected, said Maksym Gavryushin, the head of the Ukrainian Council of Shopping Centers.

The greatest activity, according to him, is observed in western and central Ukraine. During the war, the rise in the cost of shopping mall construction has been significantly influenced by legislative safety requirements, particularly the inclusion of shelters, which has increased construction cost by 20%. As a result, general construction works have become more expensive by approximately 10-15% in foreign currency equivalent, while engineering systems, networks, and specialized equipment have seen price increases of 30-35%.

A notable cost item has been the construction of shelters, with a 3,000 square meter shelter costing at least $3M in additional expense. Furthermore, the issues of energy independence and efficiency have become increasingly relevant in recent years, leading to the installation of generators at the design stage of most new projects.