Wow. Look at the sheer size of Skärholmens Centrum. Can you believe this shopping haven opened its doors in 1968? Prince Bertil himself inaugurated it.
Skärholmens Centrum isn’t just any mall. It’s a landmark in Stockholm. It boasts a massive retail space over 98000 square meters. That’s enough room for over 100 stores and services. Imagine the hustle and bustle.
Initially designed with an open-air concept its layout resembled a traditional street plan. This was later altered. In 1984 sections were enclosed. This transformed Skärholmens Centrum. It changed from an outdoor to a largely indoor shopping experience.
The 2008 refurbishment was significant. King Carl XVI Gustav reopened it after the extensive renovations. The changes weren’t just cosmetic. The renovation aimed to create what was then the largest shopping mall in Sweden. The project cost 1.8 billion SEK. It involved the addition of major anchor tenants like ICA and Systembolaget. These additions however did not fill all the mall’s spaces. Many shops remained empty for a while.
Skärholmens Centrum’s history isn’t without its quirky moments. For instance there was the whole name change saga. For a time it was called SKHLM – The Capital of Shopping. This didn’t sit well with locals. The name Skärholmens Centrum was eventually reinstated.
Interestingly the mall initially had a huge parking garage. It could accommodate 4000 cars. Skärholmens Centrum even had its own cinema. Two churches also called the shopping mall home. This made Skärholmens Centrum the largest suburban shopping center in Stockholm at the time.
Today Skärholmens Centrum remains a vibrant hub. It attracts about 14 million visitors annually. Its annual turnover is around 2 billion SEK. The mall stands as a testament to evolving shopping habits and architectural changes in Sweden. So next time you’re in Stockholm make sure to visit this impressive shopping center. You’ll see that Skärholmens Centrum is more than just shops. It’s a piece of Stockholm’s history.