Kringlan - Shopping Center

The Kringlan Shopping Centre is located in Reykjavik´s new city centre, approximately four kilometres from the historic city area, and is a big part of life in Reykjavik. Situated nearby are the City Theatre, the State Broadcasting Service, the Commercial College of Iceland, the House of Commerce, and the headquarters of a number of companies, including Morgunbladid, Iceland´s largest newspaper.

Kringlan adjoins the intersection of two of the main roads in the city and is within a five to ten minutes´ drive for 80 percent of the capital area´s residents.

When Kringlan first opened its doors to the public in 1987, it represented an enormous achievement, as it was the first big shopping centre in Iceland. With 21,000 sq.m of gross leasable floor space and over 80 shops on two levels, Kringlan was an instant hit with Icelanders. The Shopping centre has become so popular that the word Kringlan? is now synonymous with shopping centre in the Icelandic language.

The New Kringlan
In 1996 Kringlan began its programme of expansion by acquiring an adjoining building which for some years had attempted to emulate Kringlan´s success by providing shopping floor space on two levels with parking below. The building had originally been designed as a bakery and printing works and its transformation into an attractive and viable shopping destination was complex and difficult. The mall layout was re-arranged, new tenants introduced and a multiplex cinema added.
This was a first big step but Kringlan had set its sights higher and in 1997 proposals were formulated to create an overall concept that would join the two retail buildings and link them with the City Theatre and the proposed District Library. New car parking, to be shared with the theatre and a new open square were also essential elements of the proposals.

It was essential that disruption to shopping, particularly during the busy Christmas months, was minimized and so the Link was carried out in two phases. A western wing was built during 1998 and opened for Christmas so that shoppers became familiar with its layout and attractions.

The main construction work began in January 1999. The new three level link building provides an additional 8,100 sq.m of new retail floorspace with a lifestyle anchor store on the two lower levels and a seven outlet food court and three themed restaurants on the upper level. A central climb rock rises 20 metres towards the glass roof above and a ramped walkway with a dramatically inclined glazed wall leads from the food court directly to the theatre and library. The extension was completed on time with all units rented out and ready for business on the opening day in October 1999. The new expanded Kringlan has been well received as can be seen in a 10% increase in total consumer traffic between the years 1999 and 2000.

Kringlan

Kringlunni 4-12

103, Reykjavík

Tel. +354 568 9200

http://www.kringlan.is

Smáralind - Shopping Center

Smáralind is a modern shopping mall which has more than 80 shops and businesses on three floors. It is the biggest mall in Iceland, a place where curious people and shoppers can easily spend the day with pauses at the many coffee places and restaurants in addition to one of the best movie theaters in Reykjavik and the Wintergarden at Smáralind where various shows, concerts and happenings take place. It is, in fact, the policy of Smáralind to combine shopping and entertainment. 

Smáralind boasts of many shops which are exclusively in the mall and nowhere else. Most of them are shops with Icelandic products and foreign; clothes stores, Icelandic art and design, bookstores which sell Icelandic literature in foreign languages and interesting books for travelers. These shops are e.g. Carat, Gullsmiðja Óla (Oli´s Gold factory), Jon and Óskar, Drangey, Optical Studio, Optical Studio RX, 66° North, Líf og list (Life and Art), Eymundsson bookstore.

In Smáralind there are many cosmopolitan shops which you can find in London, Paris and New York. Among those are Benetton, Zara, Debenhams, Hugo Boss, Body Shop, Oasis, Coast, Tous, Karen Millen, Levi’s, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Bianco, Vero Moda, Jack & Jones, Vila, Exit, Joe Boxer, Warehouse, Karen Millen, Dorothy Perkins, Dressman.

As was mentioned in the beginning Smáralind boasts of a big hall for all kinds of happenings, concerts and shows. It is called the Wintergarden and is very popular, e.g. for spontaneous gatherings and shows for the children. In addition several television shows have been taped there such as the Icelandic Idol shows and the Icelandic X-Factor.

Even though Smáralind is big and the biggest shopping mall in Iceland the immediate plans are to build the so-called North Tower which will be 15 storeys high with both shops and offices and a 3 storey high car park house where there will be parking spaces for 750-800 cars. The North Tower will be 61 meter high and will be connected to Smáralind itself.  Smáralind is in the middle of the Greater Reykjavik area and it is easy to go there by bus by three different routes, S2, 24 and 28.

At the Service- and Information desk in Smáralind you can borrow baby strollers and wheel chairs, free of charge.  There you can also buy stamps and bus tickets, as well as gift certificates.  The gift certificates are electronic, and can be used in almost every shop in Smáralind, excluding Subway and Vínbúðin (Liquor shop)

Smáralind and all the shops and staff welcome you to this unique shopping mall where everyone can find whatever their mind desires.

Smáralind

Hagasmára 1

201, Kópavogur

Tel. +354 528 8000

http://www.smaralind.is