The complex will be built in two phases. The first phase, which will cost about 60 million euros, is expected to be completed in the spring of 2018 and the second a few years afterwards.
"We believe the centre will be completely finished in the next six to seven years and we believe it will be cost effective. Fifty percent of the space has already been leased out. In this way we want to position Croatia and Zagreb as a good shopping destination," Designer Outlet Croatia CEO Branko Mihajlov said.
Mihajlov said that Zagreb had been chosen because of its geographical position and a developed tourism industry. He said their target customer group were about 5 million people within about two hours' drive of Zagreb, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovenia and other countries in the region.
The outlet centre will hire about 400 people. "It is the first such centre in this part of Europe and a similar one is being built in Portugal and will open in autumn," Mihajlov said.
The complex will spread over 25,000 square metres and will boast about 150 stores. Its architecture will be inspired by Croatian regions, such as Istria, Dalmatia, Slavonia and Zagorje.