While Oasiz is in bankruptcy proceedings, Madrid is moving forward with its plan to open the largest shopping center in its history in Valdebebas, but with important caveats: the figures for floor space, investment, and number of stores remain on par with previous projects, while the timelines have been adjusted, and as of today, the 2027 opening remains a goal, not a guaranteed date. With approximately 360,000–362,000 square meters of floor space, around 280 stores, and an investment of roughly 500 million euros, Valdebebas Shopping aims to become a true shopping and entertainment district in its own right, adjacent to the new residential development in northern Madrid and the area surrounding the airport.
The complex will be built very close to IFEMA, the Isabel Zendal Hospital, and Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport, comprising two large buildings connected by a central open-air plaza that will serve as the heart of the project: a space designed for events, terraces, seasonal activities, and outdoor gatherings—going beyond simply serving as a passageway between stores.
The “zebra-style” shopping center
The architecture, designed by Chapman Taylor, maintains a focus on curved lines, white facades, spacious galleries, large skylights, integrated greenery, and accessible rooftops, aligning with the trend of new-generation shopping centers reminiscent of so-called “zebra architecture” due to their monotony.
Among the major anchor tenants planned is a state-of-the-art Kinépolis movie theater complex, set to become a benchmark for entertainment in the northern part of the capital, along with major retail chains, international operators, and a robust dining offering featuring outdoor terraces, a food hall, and culinary concepts designed to cater to all times of the day—from breakfast to afternoon snacks and weekend dinners.
On the economic front, the projected impact remains highly ambitious: aninvestment of close to 500 million euros is estimated, along with the promise of creating several thousand jobs, with figures ranging from 5,000 to 6,000 direct jobs (retail, restaurants, movie theaters, management, security, cleaning) and about 3,000–3,500 indirect jobs related to logistics, maintenance, supplies, and external services.
The big question mark remains the exact timeline. On paper, construction was supposed to get fully underway in 2026 in order to open the complex sometime in 2027, but the timeline depends both on the pace of construction and on coordination with improvements to access roads and public transportation in Valdebebas.
