Interestingly, Westfield Chodov wasn’t always the retail giant it is today. Before the shops and cinemas, this area was once a simple field. It was known as Chodov field. Imagine that transformation.
Westfield Chodov stands as the largest shopping center in the Czech Republic by shop count. It boasts 300 shops. However, it is the second largest by retail floor area. The area spans 100000 square meters. Only OC Letňany is bigger.
The story of Westfield Chodov began in 2005. It has become a major destination. The location is strategic. It is near the Chodov metro station. The address is Roztylská 2321/19, Prague.
Before Westfield Chodov, there were other plans. In the 1980s, there was an attempt to build a cultural house. It was called Devětsil. However, construction halted due to a lack of funds. Only part of the foundation was ever built.
The construction of Westfield Chodov began in May 2004. This happened despite some local protests. Some residents were concerned about the noise, dirt and dust. Construction often continued overnight.
The overground sections of the Chodov metro station were rebuilt. The old shelters were replaced with new exits. These new exits integrated with the shopping center. The bridge over the D1 motorway was also rebuilt.
The grand opening of Westfield Chodov took place on November 9, 2005. Many people attended. The Mayor of Prague was there. Shoppers arrived early. They were eager to take advantage of promotional offers.
In 2017, Westfield Chodov underwent a significant expansion. The old Růže shopping center was demolished. This made way for a new section. The expansion added over 40000 square meters of commercial space. This gave the center a total area of 102266 square meters.
The expansion included a new food court. It is called Grand Kitchen. It also included a large Cinema City. This cinema has 18 screens. There is also a VIP screening room.
The expansion brought other additions. These included relaxation zones. There were also children’s corners. The Designer Gallery showcases Czech and foreign design brands.
In 2019, Centrum Chodov was rebranded. It became Westfield Chodov. This aligned it with the global Westfield brand. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield owns the brand.
Westfield Chodov offers a wide range of shops and services. You can find fashion shops. There are also perfume and makeup boutiques. Other shops include flower shops and bookstores.
Inside, floors zero and one are divided into pedestrian streets. These streets connect similar squares. The southern section has a unique feature. It is a turret that extends into three floors. The turret changes color in the dark.
The biggest sales area is the Albert hypermarket. It is located on floor minus two. Its sales area is 13000 square meters.
Getting to Westfield Chodov is easy. You can take metro line C to Chodov station. Several bus lines also stop nearby. There are also three floors of underground parking. These offer 2667 parking spaces.
Westfield Chodov continues to evolve. It remains a popular destination for shopping and entertainment. From fields to a shopping mecca, its story reflects Prague’s dynamic growth.