Sofia's Central Market Hall, a 112-year-old landmark in the heart of the city, was sold to German hypermarket chain Kaufland for BGN 34.8 million in late July 2022. The deal went ahead despite protests by heritage-conscious citizens who fear that the building will lose irretrievably its historic charm when converted into yet another you've-seen-one-you've-seen-them-all shoppers' paradise.
They argue that with its numerous outlets for small traders, artisans, cafes and eateries, the unique structure can help Sofia's development as an economic powerhouse and tourist destination. A year ago, opponents, organized by the Save Sofia initiative, formed a human chain around the Hall to protest the planned transformation.
In turn, the Union of Architects in Bulgaria urged the authorities to allot the emblematic building for an art centre, library, bookshop and a venue for cultural events and festivals.
For their part, the new owners insist that their project will revive the building's spirit and functions and that they have modified their initial plans to comply with cultural heritage experts' recommendations. Their business arguments are unbeatable: Kaufland Bulgaria already have 12 supermarkets in the capital but, unlike their competitors, none located in the central part of the city.
According to an online presentation of the BGN 50 million project, its idea is to restore the building's authentic appearance as designed by Torbov, augmented by spaces for meetings, rest and enjoying a meal, and the chain's standard product mix will be adapted in line with the venue's retail peculiarities and traditions.
Central and local government authorities have said they can do nothing to halt the redevelopment: even though the building was designated a cultural landmark of national importance back in 1995, it is private property which moreover badly needs to be restored and maintained. A building permit was conclusively approved in May 2022, and the last tenants left in mid-July. Construction will hopefully be completed within half a year.
Emulating Paris and Moscow
The Central Market Hall was built between 1909 and 1911 from the designs of architect Naum Torbov, harmoniously combining Neo-Byzantine and Sezession decorative elements and shapes. The roof is the city's first major steel structure, manufactured in Vienna in 1908. The main entrance of the skyline-defining edifice features a small clock tower over Sofia's coat of arms sculpted in high relief.
The ruins of the northwestern corner round tower of Roman Serdica's 3rd - 4th c. AD fortress wall are preserved and exhibited in the basement.
Apparently borrowing the idea from the famous Les Halles in Paris (incidentally, demolished in 1971), the market hall initially housed 169 small shops and counters for meats, seafood, fruit, vegetables and groceries, detached by partitions and with a peculiar aisle system. The country's first artificial ice machine was there, too. As many as 18,000 customers visited the place daily.
Under communism, the interior was redeveloped and reappointed in 1970-1971 to convert the facility into a supermarket, called "Gastronom No. 1" in imitation of Moscow's principal food store. The Hall was closed for restoration in 1988.
Between 1998 and 2000, Israeli company Ashtrom Group Ltd. invested USD 7 million to transform the building into what was then Bulgaria's largest 8,000 sq m three-level shopping mall with 137 shops altogether, selling mainly food and groceries, but also detergents, household goods, newspapers, stationery, pet food and accessories. There were also fast-food outlets, an ice cream parlour with a food court, apparel and footwear boutiques, a florist's, a pharmacy, a nursery, bank and insurance offices, a post office, and a travel agency. The place attracted up to 50,000 shoppers daily.
In 2003 City Hall sold its 25% share in the joint venture with Ashtrom to the Israeli investor for USD 875,000.
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