- EY analysis highlights RRZ’s contribution to the regional economy, improved visitor experience and long-term sustainability goals.
- Enhancing accessibility, sustainability and community wellbeing as part of RRZ’s long-term transformation strategy.
- Eurofund Group strengthens its long-term commitment to Germany with one of the country’s most ambitious retail repositioning projects.
Mülheim an der Ruhr, June 25, 2026 – Eurofund Group, the investment, development and real estate management group, has unveiled new data highlighting the long-term economic, social and environmental impact of the transformation of Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum (RRZ) in Mülheim an der Ruhr.
According to a socio-economic impact report compiled in collaboration with EY, the redeveloped RRZ is projected to contribute €480 million annually in gross value added (GVA) to the German economy once fully operational following the refurbishment phase, while supporting more than 7,900 jobs across the wider economy. The annual tax contribution generated by the centre’s operations is expected to reach €204 million.
Beyond its economic contribution, the report highlights the broader value created through the refurbishment of the asset. The transformation will enhance accessibility throughout the centre and create more comfortable, welcoming and attractive common areas, strengthening RRZ’s role as a social meeting point and destination for the wider Ruhr region.
At the same time, the project includes a range of measures designed to improve the centre’s environmental performance. Investments in energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure will support the long-term goal of climate neutrality while helping to future-proof the asset for generations to come.
The report also underlines the multiplier effect of the project on the regional economy. Every euro invested or spent by RRZ and its visitors is expected to generate €3.28 in added value once the redevelopment is finalized. In employment terms, every direct job at the centre is projected to create an additional 2.67 jobs across the wider economy.
Olaf Ley, CEO Retail Germany at Eurofund, said: “The refurbishment of Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum is about much more than modernising a retail destination. We are creating a place that is more accessible, more comfortable and more sustainable for everyone who visits. By improving the quality of the common areas and implementing measures that support climate neutrality, we are investing in the long-term future of the centre and the region.”
Within the Mülheim an der Ruhr economic area alone, the operational phase of RRZ is projected to generate €346 million in annual gross value added and support more than 6,200 local jobs.
Germany’s First Shopping Resort
Originally opened in 1973, Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum is one of Germany’s best-known shopping destinations and currently welcomes more than four million visitors annually.
As part of an extensive repositioning and modernisation programme led by Eurofund Group and Signal Capital, the centre is being transformed Germany’s benchmark “shopping resort” – an integrated destination combining shopping, gastronomy, leisure and entertainment under one roof.
The redevelopment is designed to significantly enhance visitor comfort, accessibility and sustainability standards while reinforcing RRZ’s role as a vibrant destination and community hub for the Ruhr region.
Supporting economic and social growth across Europe
The findings for Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum reflect Eurofund Group’s broader contribution to economic growth and community development across Europe. According to the EY analysis of the group’s European portfolio, Eurofund supports approximately 26,000 jobs and generates €1.188 billion in gross value added annually. The study also highlights the company’s significant multiplier effect: every euro generated by Eurofund creates an additional €5.6 in economic value, while each direct job supports an average of five more jobs across the wider economy.
Ion Saralegui, CEO of Eurofund Group, said: “At Eurofund Group, we are proud to make a tangible contribution to the economic and social development of the communities where we operate. Our commitment goes beyond creating retail spaces: we aim to generate employment, stimulate local economies and strengthen the productive fabric. EY’s report shows that every investment we make has a multiplier effect, positively impacting thousands of families and businesses, reinforcing our sustainable growth strategy.”
Press Contacts Eurofund, Germany
Anja Lottmann, Lottmann Communications
Andrea Ungereit-Hantl, Lottmann Communications
About Eurofund Group
Eurofund Group is an investment, development and real estate management group with over 30 years of experience in the market. It operates in Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy, and is structured across several business lines: Eurofund Retail and Living, which includes coliving spaces such as Tribu in London, and senior living projects under the Luana brand.
Among the company’s most prominent projects are Puerto Venecia in Zaragoza — awarded Best Shopping Centre in the World at MAPIC 2013 —, the acquisition of UBBO (formerly Dolce Vita Tejo) in Lisbon, transformed into Portugal’s first “shopping resort”, and the acquisition, together with Henderson Park, of Silverburn, Glasgow’s leading shopping centre. In March 2024, Eurofund Group acquired Islazul alongside Henderson Park — Madrid’s largest shopping centre and a sustainability benchmark, which in 2025 achieved the highest rating under the BREEAM® certification framework.
In 2022, the company made its first entry into Italy with the acquisition of Parma Retail, in partnership with Signal Capital, to transform it into Parma Promenade. In July 2023, Eurofund Group further expanded its European presence with the acquisition of Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum in Mülheim, Germany, through a joint venture with Signal Capital.
About Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum
The Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum is located in one of Germany’s largest metropolitan areas, the Rhine-Ruhr region, with more than ten million inhabitants, attracting visitors from Essen, Oberhausen, Duisburg and Düsseldorf. It is an established shopping center that has continuously grown since opening in 1973. With more than 100 retail stores, restaurants and service providers, it offers a diverse shopping and leisure experience. The Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum is not only a popular shopping destination, but also an important social meeting place within the region.
In July 2023, the pan-European real estate investment and development company Eurofund Group and London-based private equity company Signal Capital Partners signed a purchase agreement for the 200,000-square-meter Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum in Mülheim. Around 180 million euros will be invested in the RRZ over the coming years.
Further information can be found at www.rrz.de/
