Larios Centro, three decades expanding the commercial map of Málaga

Thirty years after its opening, Larios Centro has become an integral part of the everyday landscape of Malaga. Originally conceived as an initiative to extend commercial activity beyond the historic center - which was practically limited to the 'almond' area - it has established itself as a meeting point that has broadened the life of the city and contributed to its economic development.

Opened on March 20, 1996, the venue has not only accompanied the growth of the city but has also helped redefine its boundaries, creating a new space for transit and economic dynamism. This Thursday, an event was held to celebrate the achievements and to wish for many more successes in the future.

The commercial space located on Avenida de la Aurora was built on the grounds of the old Larios distillery and represented an investment of 12,000 million pesetas (72 million current euros) at the time. It was created with the goal of attracting about six million people and, to date, has already exceeded thirteen million visitors per year. Its great secret? "Having a privileged location and a strong commercial offering." It currently has a hundred stores and a long waiting list of brands wishing to set up inside.

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To celebrate the anniversary, Larios Centro organized an event this Thursday titled '30 Years Reflecting Malaga,' attended by some of the key figures responsible for its enduring success. The center's manager, José López Guerra, who made the earlier statements, added that the venue "reflects the evolution that has been experienced in Malaga and has led us to be a commercial benchmark in the city."

The architect Salvador Moreno Peralta, who was in charge of developing the project, also spoke at the event. He stated that "Larios Centro was a driver for the reorganization of the entire area" and a very important value for the growth towards the west, the refurbishment of the train station, and the opening of new hotels. "It was a push for the new centrality of Malaga," he added.

On behalf of the current ownership, the CEO of Merlin Properties, Ismael Clemente, emphasized the idea that the center has contributed significantly to the development of the area. "30 years that are not only the history of a shopping center but of the transformation that has been experienced in Malaga in recent decades."

In his opinion, the center continues to be a benchmark because "it has been able to face current threats and adapt to the life of Malaga to grow with it." Specifically, he referred to the major renovation they underwent last year in 2019, which led them to remove the cinemas to create a new dining area that has become a major attraction.

The main event of the anniversary was closed by the Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, who referred to the center as a social space that features "quality shops and creates synergies to compete against online commerce." In his view, "it is a magnificent example of how the city has evolved and how it has become a space of centrality."

To celebrate this anniversary, the center has organized a photographic exhibition titled 'Reflections of a City' that addresses the evolution of the venue from two perspectives: on one hand, images that reflect its own evolution and that of the city; and on the other, images that show it from the perspective of ten Malaga artists. It can be visited until May 31 at the entrance next to Plaza de la Solidaridad.