Dnipro is known not only for its riverside promenade and industrial heritage, but also for its large shopping and entertainment centers, which have long become an integral part of city life. Shopping, movies, restaurants, entertainment, and meeting friends — modern shopping malls offer everything needed to spend an entire day.
But who is behind the creation of the city’s best-known shopping destinations? Among the businessmen and companies associated with the development of this sector are Vadym Iermolaiev and Alef Estate, Oleksandr Yaroslavskyi and the DCH Group, as well as the UMK team, which was behind the creation of the Appolo shopping and entertainment center. Let’s take a look at three notable shopping malls in Dnipro, starting from third place and moving up to first.
3rd Place — Appolo Shopping and Entertainment Center
Developer/client of the first phase: UMK LLC.
The Appolo project was launched in 2006, and the first phase of the complex opened in 2009 at the intersection of Tytova and Makarova Streets. The total area of the first phase was 35,000 square meters, including 20,000 square meters of usable space. UMK was responsible for commissioning and project management, while the general construction contractor was DINK.
Appolo was subsequently significantly expanded. In 2019, the company Continent, owned by businessman Vadym Tuhai, became the main investor and client for the construction of the second phase. Following its launch, the total area of the complex was expected to increase to approximately 50,000 square meters.
Today, Appolo remains one of the notable shopping and entertainment complexes in the city, featuring stores, restaurants and cafés, a cinema, and other services. The complex’s official website lists more than 50 stores and a total area of 50,000 square meters.
2nd Place — Karavan Shopping and Entertainment Center
Development and management: DCH structures. Owner of DCH — Oleksandr Yaroslavskyi.
Karavan is one of the largest shopping and entertainment centers in Dnipro. The complex began operating in 2008, and after the completion of its third phase in 2014, its total area approached 100,000 square meters. The mall’s official website lists more than 200 stores, food establishments, and entertainment venues.
The history of Karavan is closely linked to the DCH Group of Oleksandr Yaroslavskyi. In 2013, DCH acquired a stake in Karavan Real Estate Limited, which was involved in developing the shopping center network. In 2016, Yaroslavskyi became the sole owner of the network.
It is also worth noting that the third phase of the Dnipro Karavan project was developed by DCH Infrastructure & Real Estate. This expansion significantly increased the scale of the complex and broadened its retail offering.
1st Place — MOST-city Shopping and Entertainment Center
First place — MOST-city, the best-known shopping and entertainment complex in Dnipro. Alef Estate, founded by Vadym Iermolaiev, stands behind its creation.
MOST-city opened in 2006. The complex became a major redevelopment project in the central part of the city: an area previously occupied by old buildings, informal markets, and neglected infrastructure was transformed into a modern multifunctional complex. As part of the project, around 300 families who lived on the future development site received new housing, while the city center gained a modern architectural space.
The architectural concept of the complex received national recognition. In 2010, the Most-City Center was awarded the State Prize of Ukraine in the Field of Architecture. The award was presented to architect Ihor Zadoia and civil engineer Volodymyr Areshkovych for the architecture of the multifunctional Most-City Center complex in Dnipropetrovsk. Vadym Iermolaiev was also nominated for the award for his contribution to the development of contemporary architecture in Ukraine, but declined to accept it in favor of other project participants.
At the time, Oleksandr Syrota was the General Manager of Alef Estate. Assessing the significance of the project, he described it as a true revolution in Ukrainian architecture.
“It was an entirely new scale for Dnipro and a new approach to what a modern urban space could be. Almost immediately after opening, the complex became the most popular destination in Dnipro - and, most importantly, it has remained so for almost 20 years.
This is largely thanks to Vadym Iermolaiev. He was able to see the potential of this area long before the modern city center emerged here and had the courage to turn that vision into reality. I am sincerely grateful to him for the opportunity to be part of this project and for the contribution he made to the development of Dnipro,” he said.
Today, MOST-city remains one of the main shopping and business centers of Dnipro. In 2020, the complex also received the Best Shopping Center in Dnipro award at the Retail Awards.
