Pirgos Park is a completed retail park in Burgas, Bulgaria, designed by IPA - Architecture and more on a former industrial site. Opened in 2026, the development introduces a new use to an already urbanized area, transforming it into an active commercial destination with pedestrian spaces, landscaping, and electric vehicle infrastructure. The project forms part of the company's portfolio of commercial buildings and approaches the retail park not simply as a collection of stores, but as an integrated environment connected to the everyday life of the city.
The redevelopment changes the way this part of Burgas functions within the urban fabric. A site that previously had limited connections to active city life has acquired a new economic and public function. The complex creates opportunities for increased visitor activity, employment, and investment, while supporting the development of surrounding infrastructure. Reusing previously developed land makes it possible to introduce a new commercial program without extending the city onto undeveloped areas.
The architectural design is based on a U-shaped composition that organizes the retail volumes around a central space. This arrangement establishes a clear spatial structure, provides good visibility of the entrances, and supports intuitive navigation. Individual retail units can operate independently while remaining part of a coherent architectural complex.
Unlike an enclosed shopping mall, circulation through Pirgos Park does not follow a single predetermined route. Visitors can choose different sequences of movement between the stores, parking areas, pedestrian walkways, and landscaped spaces. The spatial organization combines direct access to retail units with opportunities for walking and spending time outdoors, making the external environment an essential part of the development's operation.
Along the boulevard, a landscaped zone incorporates pedestrian paths and spaces for short stays. Vegetation creates a spatial buffer from heavy vehicular traffic, while pedestrian connections link the different parts of the complex. Through landscape design and park planning, the commercial program is complemented by areas for walking, resting, and social interaction. A visit is therefore not limited to a specific purchase but can also involve spending time in the outdoor environment.
One of the project's principal design considerations is the long-term adaptability of its retail spaces. Rather than tying the architectural organization to a fixed tenant mix, Pirgos Park has been developed as a framework that allows the distribution and use of commercial areas to change over time. This approach recognizes the evolving nature of retail formats, business models, and consumer needs.
The planning and structural systems allow individual retail areas to be subdivided, combined, or reconfigured according to future functional requirements. The structural grid, modular organization, independent engineering systems, and adaptable service zones make these changes possible without disrupting the overall spatial and operational logic of the development.
This flexibility directly supports the long-term usability of the buildings. Retail models continue to evolve, and the requirements of individual operators may change throughout a building's life cycle. The architectural approach anticipates this process from the design stage, allowing the complex to accommodate new uses and commercial formats while maintaining its overall coherence.
The material character of Pirgos Park also responds to the site's history and identity. Clinker is a defining element of the façade composition, establishing a visual connection to the area's industrial past. Its selection is also based on functional considerations, including resistance to weather exposure, moisture, temperature fluctuations, and intensive use. The material contributes to façade durability and helps preserve its color, texture, and architectural character over time.
The complex accommodates more than 15 retail units across over five buildings. A total of 281 parking spaces are provided for visitors, including 22 designated for electric vehicles. The electric mobility infrastructure includes eight charging stations, each listed with a design power rating of 720 kW. Parking, vehicular access, and pedestrian routes are organized as interconnected components of the commercial environment.
Energy infrastructure represents a further phase in the development of the complex. Photovoltaic installations with a combined capacity of 2 MW are being installed on the buildings to generate electricity locally. An energy storage system with a planned capacity of 2 MWh is also envisaged, allowing the electricity produced to be used more flexibly in response to the complex's operational needs. These systems complement the already functioning retail infrastructure and create opportunities for more efficient energy management.
Pirgos Park demonstrates how an existing industrial site can be transformed by introducing new commercial and public functions. The architectural composition, adaptable retail layouts, pedestrian environment, landscaping, and energy systems are conceived as interconnected parts of a broader spatial and operational framework. This enables the development to function as a coherent environment while continuing to respond to changing business needs and urban conditions.
Within the portfolio of IPA - Architecture and more, Pirgos Park has a direct typological relationship with Vidin Plaza, a retail park in Vidin developed through the transformation of an existing industrial complex. Although the two projects apply different architectural approaches, they address similar design challenges: reusing previously developed urban sites, organizing retail spaces, providing access and parking, and establishing pedestrian connections. Together, they demonstrate different approaches to developing commercial architecture within an existing urban environment.
