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Courtesy Riviera Shopping City the size of 12 football fields welcomed first shoppers in Odesa on Oct. 16.

Riviera Shopping City is being promoted as the largest shopping mall in Ukraine after doors to the newly expanded center opened on Oct. 16. Located just outside of Odesa, Ukraine’s Black Sea port city, the retail and entertainment center encompasses a territory of 12 football fields. A part of the 85,000 square meter center first opened last February. But an expanded portion of the center was launched this month after a second phase of construction was completed. Some $150 million is being invested into the project, which includes more than 100 stores, restaurants, a cinema and bowling alley. Riviera was developed by Argo Real Estate Opportunities Fund, a United Kingdom-based investment company, in cooperation with DGL Group, a U.S.-based international real estate and investment firm. Robert Provine, managing director of Argo Real Estate Opportunities Fund, said Argo is currently considering a number of new investments in Ukraine. But its current focus is on further expansion of the Riviera center.