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Ventura Plaza is a mid-sized shopping center in Alajuela, Costa Rica, spanning approximately 20,000 square meters of gross leasable area, constructed in 2018 and located 4 km from Juan Santamaria International Airport in the Tropicana district. It serves the local population of around 300,000 within a 5 km radius, drawing from middle-income demographics with average household incomes of $1,100 monthly.
The tenant mix includes 35% fashion and apparel (brands like local boutiques and mid-tier international labels such as Pull&Bear equivalents), 25% food and beverage with 12 outlets ranging from quick-service to casual dining, 20% services including telecom and beauty salons, 15% entertainment with a small cinema and arcade, and 5% anchors like a supermarket. Occupancy stands at 90%, reflecting Costa Ricas retail market average vacancy of 7-10% as per 2025 commercial reports.
Footfall averages 8,000-12,000 daily visitors, boosted by proximity to industrial zones and airport traffic, though impacted by peak-hour congestion on Route 1.
Rent levels range from $22-32 per square meter monthly for ground-floor spaces, competitive with regional peers.
Accessibility via public buses and 600 parking spots supports operational efficiency, but competition from larger venues like City Mall (150,000 sqm, 95% occupancy) poses challenges.
Market position as a neighborhood hub favors convenience-driven retail, with strengths in local tenant diversity and events drawing 30% attendance uplift. Drawbacks include aging infrastructure requiring $300,000 annual maintenance and e-commerce penetration at 25% eroding non-essential sales.
Leasing advantages include flexible terms for mid-sized retailers and growth potential from Alajuelas 4% annual population increase, though risks from economic volatility and category saturation in apparel persist.
Overall, it offers balanced opportunities for retailers targeting everyday needs in a growing suburban market.
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Hours of Operation
Hours
| Monday | 10:00 AM — 08:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM — 08:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM — 08:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM — 08:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM — 09:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM — 09:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM — 09:00 PM |
Hours may vary on public holidays. Check with individual stores for specific holiday schedules.
Insights
Demographics and Footfall
Ventura Plaza caters to Alajuelas diverse demographics, including 40% families with children under 18, 30% young professionals from nearby industrial parks, and 20% airport-related workers, with median age 32 and household size 4. Income distribution shows 60% middle-class ($800-1,500 monthly), supporting value-oriented shopping. Daily footfall of 8,000-12,000 peaks weekends at 15,000, per local traffic studies, driven by 70% local residents and 30% transients. However, 10-15% drop during rainy seasons affects impulse buys, and high smartphone usage (85%) shifts 20% of traffic to online alternatives, necessitating omnichannel strategies for tenants.
Competition and Market Saturation
The retail landscape in Alajuela features high competition with City Mall drawing 20 million annual visitors and Viva Alajuela at 93% occupancy, both offering superior amenities and broader mixes. Ventura Plaza faces 25% footfall diversion to these, plus emerging e-commerce at 30% market share. Local saturation in fashion (40% of spaces) leads to 5-7% vacancy risks in weak categories like electronics. Regional reports note 3-4 malls per 100,000 residents, pressuring smaller centers; strengths lie in niche local vendors, but drawbacks include limited anchor power compared to peers, potentially capping sales growth at 2-4% annually amid economic fluctuations.
Lease Terms and Operational Quality
Leasing at Ventura Plaza features base rents of $22-32 per square meter monthly, with 5-7% annual escalations tied to CPI, and turnover percentages averaging 6-8% of sales for F&B tenants. Minimum leases are 3-5 years, with incentives like 1-2 months free rent for qualifying occupants. Operational quality includes 24/7 security, HVAC maintenance at 95% uptime, and monthly promotional events boosting traffic by 25%. Accessibility via major routes and 600 spots (ratio 1:30 sqm) is solid, but traffic delays on Route 1 reduce 10% of potential visits. Risks involve $250,000 yearly infrastructure upgrades for aging elements and competition-driven renegotiations, yet flexible terms suit emerging retailers in a market with 92% overall occupancy.
Building Details
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Alajuela
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Alajuela
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