Delivered on its original date despite a year of pandemic delay: 180+ stores, six districts, built for 220 km/h hurricane winds.
- Opened
- August 31, 2023
- Size
- GBA 160,000 m² · GLA 60,000 m²
- Investment
- USD 150M
- Location
- Riviera Maya, Mexico
- Duration
- 4 years
- Architectural design
- Callison RTKL
- Architect of record
- Antonio García Orozco
- Project manager
- Alan Urenda
- My role
- Project Manager
Overview
Developed by GICSA near Cancún, Grand Outlet Riviera Maya is a luxury retail and entertainment destination for tourists and locals alike. Its “malltertainment” concept combines more than 180 stores from global brands with gourmet dining, interactive spaces, water features, a lake and cultural events.
As Project Manager I led the development and multidisciplinary design coordination through to its opening on August 31, 2023, managing more than 20 consultants, design firms and stakeholders.
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Architectural concept
The concept, by Callison RTKL, places twelve independent retail buildings over an underground car park for 1,800 vehicles, organized into six districts with their own character.
Authentic Retreat, for local commerce among vegetation and a river; Celebration Lawn, an amphitheatre for 400 people; Pop Plaza, with an ice rink and sports bar; The Jubilee, a colourful food hall and children’s area; Luxe Oasis, luxury retail around a private lake; and Fiesta Walk, a lakeside boardwalk with daily fountain shows.
My role
- 01
Coordinated 20+ external companies (architecture, structure, MEP, lighting, landscape and specialty consultants) and internal departments, ensuring regulatory compliance.
- 02
Managed the USD 5M soft-cost and executive design budget, including consultant contracts, scope changes and resource allocation.
- 03
Led value engineering when the pandemic raised costs, redesigning structural and lighting elements and prioritizing local materials, for ~20% savings on the overall budget.
- 04
Led FF&E and finishes procurement, from scope validation to commercial negotiation, achieving ~30% cost savings.
- 05
Reviewed and approved construction documents (plans, studies, details and specifications) and analysed every change request for its time and budget impact.
- 06
Led site visits and contractor coordination meetings, with architectural supervision against project specifications.
- 07
Coordinated tenant integration and permitting with legal teams, including documentation for licences and environmental approvals.
Challenges & achievements
- 01
Hurricanes & corrosion
Coastal site: corrosion- and weather-resistant materials and a structure designed for 220 km/h winds.
- 02
Timeline
Construction lost a year to the pandemic. A fast-track plan kept the original delivery date.
- 03
Budget
Pandemic cost increases offset by redesigning the structure, sourcing finishes locally and optimizing lighting through luminance analysis.
- 04
No public services
The site had no drainage, electricity or water. Stormwater is managed through infiltration wells and regulation ponds; wells feed a cistern with filtered seawater for potable use.
- 05
Change orders
More than 90 change orders resolved over four years of construction.
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