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One United Properties announces strategic expansion to Sibiu

One United Properties announces strategic expansion to Sibiu 2098 2560 ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB
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One United Properties, the leading green developer of residential, mixed-use, and office real estate in Romania, announces the signing of a promissory sale and purchase agreement for land located in a prime central area of Sibiu, marking the company’s strategic entry into one of Romania’s most dynamic regional cities.
The acquired site, located on the former FLARO industrial platform, offers significant potential for urban regeneration. In addition to developing a new mixed-use community that will integrate residential, commercial, and service components, One United Properties will also restore and preserve four existing historical buildings on the site. These heritage buildings, which reflect the industrial and architectural history of Sibiu, will be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the future development.

“Sibiu is one of the most exciting urban development opportunities in Romania today. The city has strong fundamentals – a thriving economy, rich cultural heritage, and growing demand for quality urban living. By bringing the ONE standard to Sibiu, we are expanding geographically beyond Bucharest and Constanta, while strengthening our business model through regional diversification and addressing unmet demand in key urban centers. At the same time, we are contributing to the sustainable transformation of underutilized central areas into communities that truly serve modern needs,” said Victor Căpitanu, co-CEO of One United Properties.

One of the buildings to be restored is the former Gratioza fountain-pen factory, founded in 1922. As one of Romania’s early producers of writing instruments, Gratioza played an important role in the interwar industrial development of Sibiu. Later nationalized under communist rule and renamed Flamura Roșie, the factory became part of the FLARO industrial group – a key manufacturer of writing instruments throughout the 20th century. Gratioza’s pens were used in correspondence by the Romanian Royal House and are now featured in public collections, including the Brukenthal National Museum in Sibiu.

“Sibiu offers the kind of layered opportunity we rarely see – a strong residential market, rising demand for modern office and commercial spaces, and a city identity shaped by culture and tradition. This new development will allow us to bring all those dimensions together, leveraging our proven expertise in blending restoration with contemporary urban development. It’s truly a unique chance to build something that adds lasting value to the city. Our ambition is to deliver a vibrant, integrated destination that will reflect Sibiu’s identity and will support its long-term growth,” added Andrei Diaconescu, co-CEO of One United Properties.

The future development is envisioned as a desirable destination for living, working, and leisure – not only for residents of Sibiu, but also as an attraction for visitors. With a central location, rich historical context, and carefully planned mix of functions, the new community aims to become a landmark destination that enhances the city’s appeal while contributing to its long-term growth.

This acquisition reinforces the One United Properties’ ability to identify and secure strategic opportunities that generate long-term value for residents, investors, and the local economy. It also supports the continued growth of Company’s national footprint in line with evolving urban demand patterns.

The transaction is subject to the fulfillment of several conditions precedent, including the issuance of the final building permit, expected by the end of 2026.

Iulius announces the name of the urban conversion and regeneration project in Cluj-Napoca: Rivus – photo 2

IULIUS announces the name of the urban conversion and regeneration project in Cluj-Napoca: RIVUS

IULIUS announces the name of the urban conversion and regeneration project in Cluj-Napoca: RIVUS 1600 800 ROMANIA PROPERTY CLUB
Rivus Cluj Napoca Iulius

The latest urban regeneration and reconversion project proposed by IULIUS Group in Cluj-Napoca, the urban zoning plan of which was recently approved by the Local Council, will be named RIVUS. The Latin-origin word means ‘river’ and highlights a key-component of the project, namely its proximity to Somes River.

The investment estimated upwards of half-billion Euro made by companies IULIUS and Atterbury Europe will materialize in the mixed-use project with likely the widest diversity of uses in Romania – retail, office, culture, entertainment and park – with a total leasable area of 165,000 sqm.

Discover the largest urban reconversion project in Romania at www.rivus.ro and on its social media platforms at www.instagram.com/rivuscluj_, and www.facebook.com/rivuscluj.

The concept for the RIVUS project was signed by the architects at UNStudio, a world-renowned Dutch architecture firm, drawing inspiration from the expectations of the community. Thus, RIVUS will integrate the following:

  • The largest retail area in Romania, spanning 145,000 sqm (integrating the 120,000 sqm shopping mall, as well as the complementary retail facilities) in a mixed-use concept that enhances the shopping experience with public and leisure services and facilities.
  • More than 400 stores, including regional and national premieres
  • 30+ new concept-restaurants and coffee shops overlooking Someș River
  • Fresh Market for local producers
  • A new park and landscaped green spaces spanning more than 52,000 sqm
  • Japanese rooftop garden
  • Two industrial buildings reconverted into cultural venues and office spaces
  • Live arts center and auditorium
  • First-to-region entertainment concepts for all ages
  • The latest cinema technologies for the first time in Transylvania, as well as open air cinema
  • 15,000 sqm GLA premium green office facilities
  • Investments in connectivity and alternative mobility

“Our proposal for the former Carbochim platform has a strong natural component, which consists in developing the Somes riverbanks, completing the green-blue corridor in the north side of the city, and creating a spectacular urban garden from scratch, which will cover a third of the total area of the project,” said Sorin Guttman, Manager of RIVUS.

Iulius announces the name of the urban conversion and regeneration project in Cluj-Napoca: Rivus – photo 2

RIVUS Cluj-Napoca, the first project implemented by UNStudio in Romania

The project brings for the first time in Romania the renowned Dutch architects from UNStudio, who have in their portfolio flagship projects around the world, such as the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, The Lyric Theatre Complex in Hong Kong, the Doha metro or the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam.

“I am so proud that we have the opportunity to create our first project in Romania right here, in Cluj. It is really exciting to see that we can connect this old industrial area to the more recent Armătura Park. We also want to bring the people on the Carbochim site back to the water, to continue the green belt along the river,” said Arjan Dingsté, Director and Senior Architect at UNStudio.

Iulius announces the name of the urban conversion and regeneration project in Cluj-Napoca: Rivus – photo 3

The largest entertainment & shopping destination in Romania: cultural and leisure concepts, and first-to-market brands

For the first time in Romania, the project is bringing in the famous Dutch architects at UNStudio, whose portfolio includes iconic projects all over the world, such as the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, the Lyric Theatre Complex in Hong Kong, the Doha Metro, or the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam.

RIVUS is set to be the largest lifestyle center in Romania and a hub of the entertainment segment in the country. RIVUS Mall will accommodate long-anticipated international brands, flagship stores of major retailers in segments such as home&deco, health&sports, fashion and entertainment, as well as concepts by local producers and entrepreneurs. A space where every member of the local community belongs, with family-friendly uses, and a go-to destination for fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment, set to include 400+ stores.

RIVUS proposes first-to-market leisure solutions by means of the first auditorium integrated in a shopping center and a live arts center (RIVUS Live Arts) managed in partnership with the cultural community of Cluj, set to operate in the former arcade hall of Carbochim. Besides this, the red brick administrative building will also be preserved from the former industrial site, transforming it into RIVUS Hub, a venue combining office spaces and services.

The focus on families will be reflected in the fitting out of playground areas, first-to-market entertainment concepts, new cinema technologies and open air cinema, educational concepts, sport and wellness facilities, as well as a multidisciplinary medical hub.

The project includes a Fresh Market concept and 30 concept locations, themed restaurants, and cafes with terraces located in the newly landscaped garden from scratch.

The development proposes office facilities of approx. 15,000 sqm GLA.

Iulius announces the name of the urban conversion and regeneration project in Cluj-Napoca: Rivus – photo 4

RIVUS Garden helps create a 14 hectares green connection in the north of Cluj

RIVUS Garden will be the green anchor of the project, in the form of a 52,000 sqm park in the heart of the city, designed by foreign and local landscape architects, and adding to the already upgraded Armătura Park and Feroviarilor Park located nearby. Together they will delineate Someș River with approximately 14 hectares of landscaped green spaces, as well as promenade and leisure infrastructure.

As with its other similar projects developed in Iași and Timișoara, IULIUS is focused on the solid connectivity with the city, and has thus undertaken consistent infrastructure investments under an agreement with the Municipality. These will include the creation of a new road bridge across Someș River, two pedestrian bridges, traffic coordination solutions, upgrading some nearby streets, as well as fitting out bicycle infrastructure, in line with the authorities’ mobility strategy. The project will also include approx. 4,800 underground and aboveground parking spaces, 900 of which will be fitted with EV charging connectors, as well as 2,500 bicycle parking spaces.

The investment will be made by companies IULIUS and Atterbury Europe. The project is currently in the building permitting phase. The first phase of the works, namely the dismantling of the former industrial facilities, is nearing completion, as this endeavor is independent of the approval and permitting process for the new project.