The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) announced the winners on Wednesday of the 2011 European Shopping Centre Awards. Eleven shopping centres from nine countries across Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, France, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Turkey and the UK) came away with recognitions.

'Despite the economic downturn and projects being developed during the worst time possible, we congratulate the award-winning investors and developers sticking to their original ideas and struggling hard to reach their goals, not allowing shortcuts or changes to jeopardise long term commercial success,' said Biljana Pehrsson, 2011 Awards Jury Chair and deputy CEO & head of Real Estate at East Capital Private Equity. 'These centres are clear examples of the continued efforts of the retail and shopping centre industry to thrive during recession.'

She added: 'The trend for developing shopping centres as part of city centre regeneration continues to revitalise sleeping towns and city centres. Another very strong trend this year was the high number of successful refurbishment and redevelopment schemes, converting old shopping centres to modern meeting places for shopping and pleasure.'

The ICSC European Shopping Centre Award winners are:

New Developments Small: Kozzy, Istanbul, Turkey
Developer: Renaissance Development
Architect: Fehmi Kobal Design Mimarlik, Design Architect: 5+ Design

New Developments Medium: Kaufhaus Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
Developer: Signa Development
Architect: David Chipperfield Architects

New Developments Large:
Commendation: Loop5, Weiterstadt, Germany
Developer: Sonae Sierra / Foncière Euris
Architect: José Quintela - Sonae Sierra Chief Architect

Commendation: SouthGate, Bath
Bath, United Kingdom
Developer: Multi Corporation and Aviva Investors in JV
Architect: Chapman Taylor Partners

New Developments Extra Large: Westfield London
London, United Kingdom
Developer: Westfield Shoppingtowns Ltd
Architect: Westfield, Buchan Group , Gabellini Sheppard

Commendation: Metropolis, Moscow, Russia
Developer: Capital Partners
Architect: RTKL

Refurbishment and Extensions Small/Medium: Marieberg Galleria, Örebro, Sweden
Developer: Steen & Ström Sverige AB
Architect: Evenden Denmark A/S and White Arkitekter

Sollentuna Centrum, Sollentuna, Sweden
Developer: Steen & Ström Sverige AB
Architect: Thorbjörnsson + Edgren and White

Refurbishment and Extensions Large: Médiacité, Liège, Belgium
Developer: Wilhelm & Co sa
Architect: Ron Arad,Jaspers-Eyers,ChapmanTaylor,RTKL

Commendation: Blagnac, Blagnac, France
Developer: Segece (100% subsidiary of Klépierre)
Architect: Cardete&Huet

Restore recognition: The ReStore distinction rewards both the developer and the local authority for a successful partnership that delivers a sustainable result for the local and regional community.

BBI Centar, Sarajevo, Bosnia
Developer: BBI Real Estate d.o.o.
Architect: Grupa Arh d.o.o.