The expert pointed to the growing interest in real estate near shopping malls

Russians are increasingly choosing housing in projects with developed infrastructure, preferring locations where basic services are located within walking distance. This format saves time and simplifies the daily rhythm of life, Marina Chernyakova, head of the commercial real estate department at the Mangazeya development company, told Izvestia on December 16.

According to the results of the study, almost 90% of Muscovites positively perceive the neighborhood with shopping malls, and half of the respondents choose such projects even in comparison with quieter areas where there is no infrastructure.

"It's not so much about the purchases themselves, but about freeing up resources for more important things. The study confirms this: almost three quarters of residents consider it important to have shops, pharmacies and consumer services nearby. Leisure becomes an additional advantage: for 60% of respondents, the presence of cafes, cinemas and other places of attraction within walking distance is a factor that increases the attractiveness of the project," the expert explained.

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The needs of different groups also vary. Families with children note the safety and accessibility of children's goods, medical services and entertainment areas — such parameters are important for more than a third of the respondents. Young professionals consider shopping malls as points of social activity: here you can visit the gym, meet with friends or solve everyday tasks on the way from work.

In addition, proximity to the shopping center affects the investment attractiveness of real estate. Almost half of the respondents are sure that it is easier to sell or lease objects in such locations. As the expert explains, apartments near developed infrastructure are already 10-15% more expensive than comparable options at the start and demonstrate more stable price dynamics due to high liquidity.

"The interest in the locations of large shopping malls shows how the priorities of urban residents are changing. This format will be strengthened: as the density of buildings and the pace of life increase, the value of available services only increases. Today, projects with large objects of attraction nearby are becoming part of a long-term urban trend. For many, this is no longer a bonus, but a new norm that defines the comfort of the area," concluded Chernyakova.

On December 10, GMK founder, REPA co-founder Sergey Razuvaev, at the summing up of the year of the Association of Real Estate Market Professionals, said that developers would start building smaller apartments in 2026 because housing costs were rising, demand was falling, and preferential programs were not suitable for all properties. He also reported a reduction in the income of developers.

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