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Echo Investment S.A. commences its operations on the building development market. The first project was the development of a residential building in Kielce, Manifestu Lipcowego Street, followed by erection of a luxury apartment block called Flower House in Warsaw, Różana Street. Then, the Warsaw sales office was opened.
1997
The Company is expanding the range of its operations. Apart from new housing investments, such as the Melody House in Warsaw, Al. Szucha, luxury apartments at Nalewki Street, or the Kasztel residential complex in Krakow, Turniejowa Street, Echo Investment S.A. also launches construction of office buildings, hotels and entertainment centers. The Company engages in cooperation with Accor of France and commences construction of the Ibis Hotel and a modern BJS International office building (currently City Gate) in Warsaw. In Lodz, the Lodz Business Center hotel, entertainment and office complex was started, and a sales office was opened in Krakow, the second largest development market in Poland.
1998
Echo completes its investment projects commenced in the preceding years. The Flower House and Melody House luxury apartment buildings in Warsaw, and the Company's first project - the residential building in Kielce - are handed over to their users. Simultaneously with completion of the first investments, another large project began, namely the Babka Tower residential and office complex in Warsaw, Al. Jana Pawla II. At the same time, responding to the newly forming high standard apartment market, the company launches construction of Osiedle Zeusa housing estate, and a luxury apartment complex at Zwycięzców Street, Saska Kępa district of Warsaw. Success and attractive growth perspectives encourage the Company to execute similar projects. A luxury apartment block called Nad Wartą is initiated in Poznan, and an estate of single-family houses is being built in Bilcza near Kielce. As a result of expanding the territorial range of business, two new sales offices are set up in Poznan and in Kielce.
1999
Echo's shopping centers development programme is initiated. First of these are being developed in Siemianowice Śląskie, Bełchatów, Radom, Piotrków Trybunalski, Jelenia Góra, Tarnów and Przemyśl. These are classical combinations of a hyper- or a supermarket, a D.I.Y. store, a shopping arcade, and service outlets. The Company also continues its activity on the market of housing, office and hotel investments. It opens its Osiedle Zeusa housing estate, the luxury apartment building at Nalewki Street in Warsaw, while also commencing development of an Ibis hotel in Poznan. Next apartment buildings in Ateńska Street, Warsaw, and Klonowa Street, Kielce, are entering their first phase of development. "Developer's Certificate" awarded by the Polish Chamber of Construction crowns this successful year.
2000
It is confirmed that the adopted development strategy was correct. The first customers visit Echo's shopping centers, and the Ibis hotels in Lodz and Warsaw receive their first guests. Successful cooperation with Accor brings further assignments. Works on Ibis - Novotel hotel complexes in Krakow and Szczecin begin. The situation in the segment of shopping centers is equally satisfactory. New investments begin. The "Nad Wartą" luxury apartment block in Poznań, and the Warsaw development of a similar kind at Zwycięzców Street is handed over to users, as well as a part of the Babka Tower complex.
2001
The Company is extending the scale of its operations. News sales offices are opened - one in Szczecin and another one in Warsaw. Echo Investment S.A. expands its offering with multifunctional shopping and entertainment centers. Development of Galeria Echo in Kielce and Centrum Galaxy in Szczecin is commenced. A shopping center in Lodz is opened with ten-screen multiplex cinema Silver Screen. The first class A office building in Lodz, called Centrum Biznesu (Business Center), which was developed within the same complex, is now opened. Development of the higher part of Babka Tower office and luxury apartment complex is nearly finished, as well as the apartment block in Ateńska Street, Warsaw. Ibis Hotels in Zabrze and in Czestochowa welcome their first guests. New Echo shopping centers are being opened and development of the next ones commences. With buying an office building in Sienkiewicza Street, Lodz, the Company launches its investment activities aimed at diversifying the portfolio of real estates for rent.
2002
This year is predominated by expansion of the regional Echo shopping centers and shopping/entertainment complexes development programme. The key event of the year is the signing of contract for building a seat for the Polish Olympic Committee in Warsaw. Ceremonial setting of a foundation stone for construction of the Olympic Center is honored with the presence of the President of the Republic of Poland. During the same year, grand opening of Galeria Echo in Kielce takes place. Residents of housing estates in Kielce, Szczecin and krakow receive keys to their apartments. Subsequent housing projects are launched, including construction of a service and apartment complex called Kirkor in Warsaw. At the same time, the Company consequently expands its operations on the hotel and office market. A hotel complex for the Accor group in Krakow is opened. New investments are launched as well, such as the Qubus hotel in Gliwice and a major project for Groupe Envergure in Warsaw. The Nad Wartą apartment block in Poznan receives a "Platinum Drill" award, and the Cztery Pory Roku [Four Seasons] housing estate of Krakow is considered the "Best Residential Building” by the prestigious "Construction & Investment Journal”.
2003
The entire year is full of major events, new investments and prestigious awards. The largest Echo Investment S.A.'s project up to date is opened, namely Centrum Galaxy in Szczecin, a shopping and entertainment complex with a multiplex cinema, a bowling alley, a hypermarket, a chain of bars and restaurants. The Qubus hotel in Gliwice is also completed. Another high prestige project, being the Mondrian House luxury apartment building in Warsaw, is commenced. Works also begin on Małe Naramowice in Poznań, construction of the Inflancka housing estate and a modern office complex called Athina Park in Warsaw. The Company is awarded by the Society of Public Stocks Issuers for its largest growth of equity as from the listing date, successful rebranding and stocks issue activities. The Polish Chamber of Construction awards the "Developer's Certificate" to Echo Investment S.A. for the third time.
2004
Another important event is the completion of the Kyriad–Campanille–Premiere Classe hotel complex in Warsaw for a large international chain - Envergure Groupe. The Olympic Center in Warsaw is formally opened in the presence of the President of the Republic of Poland, President of the International Olympic Committee, representatives of highest state authorities, and outstanding Olympic athletes. It is now the seat of the Polish Olympic Committee, the Polish Olympic Foundation, and the Center of Olympic Education. In August, the Company succeeds in the tender for purchase of real estate in the center of Wroclaw, where works are launched on construction of Pasaż Grunwaldzki. This latter project is the largest investment of Echo Investment S.A. up to date. Another housing project, called Dom Pod Pegazem, is initiated in Krakow. At the same time, development of a Qubus hotel in Krakow is launched, as well as preliminary works on another establishment for the same
operator in Kielce.
2005
First tenants arrive at the Athina Park office complex in Warsaw, Wybrzeże Gdyńskie Street. Finishing and adaptation works are carried out in an office building located in Warsaw, 3 Postępu Street. The entire building is let to Polkomtel S.A. The Company buys a property situated at 21 Postępu Street in Warsaw, designed for erection of an office building complex.
A modern shopping, entertainment and service center called Pasaż Grunwaldzki is being developed in Wroclaw. Preparations are also undertaken for building a shopping center in Lomza and Kielce. The Company sells seven Echo shopping centers: in Olkusz, Pila, Plock, Siemianowice Slaskie, Swietochlowice, Tczew, and Zamosc.
Further, Echo continues development of a four-star Qubus hotel in Krakow. In August it starts building a hotel for the same client in the center of Kielce.
Three luxury apartment blocks are handed over to users: Cztery Pory Roku and Dom Pod Pegazem in Krakow, as well as Mondrian House in Warsaw, awarded as the "Best Residential Building” by "Construction & Investment Journal”.
The Company resumes design works on the second stage of investment at Zwycięzców Street in Warsaw. It also continues development of the Inflancka housing estate in the Muranów district of Warsaw, winner of "Life in Architecture" contest in multiple-family developments category, which was organized by the "Murator" magazine.
2006
Echo Investment S.A. Capital Group undertakes specific steps in order to ensure geographical diversification of the areas of its operations. It acquires title to immovable property in Budapest, designed for development of a multifunctional shopping, entertainment and office center. The Group sets up its subsidiary in Romania as well.
Echo opens its Pasaż Świętokrzyski shopping center in Kielce and purchases land in Slupsk and Poznan for consecutive shopping and entertainment projects.
An office buildings complex is being developed in Kielce, al. Solidarności Street. Echo Investment buys land in Gdansk, Jana z Kolna Street, for an office building, and in Krakow, Tyniecka Street, for residential buildings.
In July, Qubus hotel in Krakow welcomes its first guests, and in October another four-star Qubus establishment is opened in Kielce.
Echo Investment wins with all other enterprises from Świętokrzyskie Province in the Pillars of Polish Economy contest organized by "Puls Biznesu" and Coface Poland, an international business information agency.
The turn of 2006 and 2007 is of great importance in terms of changes in organization. Andrzej Majcher, who has long been President of the Management Board, becomes a member of the Supervisory Board of Echo Investment S.A., while the President's seat is taken by Jarosław Grodzki.
2007
In January, Echo Investment receives a "Crystal Developer 2007" statue. The "Apartamenty i Mieszkania" magazine, who has organized this contest, appreciates the Company’s valuable contribution to the development of Polish real estate market and carrying out its business in accordance with most elaborate business standards.
In spring, during a formal opening of the 10th National Job Fair at the Kielce Fair Conference Center, Echo is awarded as the "Friendly Employer of 2006".
In June, a subsidiary of Echo Investment Capital Group is registered under the name “Echo Investment Ukraine” Limited Liability Company, seated in Kiev.
The most significant event of the year is the opening of the Pasaż Grunwaldzki mall in Wroclaw. Key tenants, namely Barlinek, Cersanit and Echo Investment, occupy the Office Park in Kielce.
Echo purchases consecutive properties in the largest cities and centers considered new markets for the particular sectors of the Company's operations. The Company buys land for housing projects in Lodz and Wroclaw, office investments in Gdansk and Katowice, and shopping & entertainment centers in Kalisz and Koszalin. Key events of the year include acquisition of land property for development of a large shopping and entertainment center in Brasov, Romania.
Next stage of the Inflancka housing estate in Warsaw is opened. A new luxury apartment building is being developed in Poznan and a single-family houses estate is launched in Bilcza near Kielce. Works also commence on execution of two large office projects, namely the Malta Office Park in Poznan and Park Postępu in Warsaw. The Company sells its Entertainment Center in Lodz and the Pasaż Świętokrzyski mall to Catalyst Capital investment group.
2008
Echo Investment is involved in preparation of a number of new investment projects and obtains land properties for its next developments.
At the beginning of the year, it finalizes transactions of purchase of land in Krakow for an office park and in Koszalin for a shopping and entertainment centers. Execution works on the Malta Office Park in Poznan and Park Postępu in Warsaw are in progress. Office projects in Krakow, Gdansk, Szczecin, Katowice and Lodz are being prepared.
The Kasztanowa Aleja housing project and subsequent stages of the Naramowice housing estate are being developed in Poznan, along with the Inflancka and Zwycięzców estates in Warsaw. Land plots are now being sold within the single-family housing estate in Bilcza near Kielce. The Company is also preparing for development of an estate of detached houses in Dyminy. The process of preparing new housing projects is running in Warsaw, Poznan, Krakow, Lodz and Wroclaw.
Echo Investment is preparing construction of a shopping mall in Lomza, a multifunctional center called Metropolis in Poznan, shopping & entertainment centers in Slupsk, Kalisz, Koszalin and Lublin, along with extension of its existing centers, including Galeria Echo and Pasaż Świętokrzyski in Kielce.
In June, composition of Echo Investment S.A.'s management board changes. Piotr Gromniak becomes President of the Management Board, with Artur Langner as Vice-President.
The Company is awarded a title NOVATOR 2007 for its development of an office park in Kielce during a contest held by the Staropolska Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Echo Investment is also acknowledged as one of the most attractive employers during the Work, Career, Development National Fair, which was organized for the first time by AIESEC of Kielce and the Kielce Fairs.