Grupo GICSA is a real estate investment and development company. Their portfolio features shopping and retail centers, office buildings, residential complexes, hotels, resorts, and industrial buildings. Since 1989 they have developed 72 real estate projects of a total of 3.1 million m² of space in Mexico and the United States.

In recent years, Grupo GICSA executed 4 of their FEC projects in partnership with Walltopia Active Entertainment. Two of them, the ones in Puebla and Queretaro, are already in operation and are open for visitors, while the ones in Pachuca and Culiacan will be built by the end of the year.

We interviewed Jose Luis Sosa, Project Manager of Grupo GICSA, to find out more on what inspired the company to build and manage FECs inside shopping centers. Here is what he shared:

What do you remember about your first time in an entertainment center?

I remember thinking that the product you sell is innovative and of top quality. I really liked it.

How did you get the idea to build and operate one yourself?

We got the idea from the shopping malls from the USA where they combine a lot of attractions in one big area. They optimize renting surface for attractions which is very important in our business.

What were your main challenges along the road from dream to reality?

Coordination with internal and external architects, completion of the scope on time and assuring the quality of execution for the client.

What you are most proud of in the GICSA entertainment centers?

The variety of attractions and quality of materials put into place for a mixture of entertainment not seen in Latin-American yet.

What would you say to someone considering to follow your path?

The success of these projects lies with the quality of the team building the dream with you.

Is there anything funny or unexpected about operating an entertainment center that you’d like to share?

Building entertainment venues has been an interesting and entertaining process, where every step is focused on enhancing the user experience and entertainment potential, which makes our job focused on the users, giving them the best time possible in our FEC which in my opinion is the best calling anyone can have, bringing people happiness. 

We’ want to thank Mr. Sosa for sharing the motivation and drive of Grupo GICSA. We wish them success with their current facilities and hope the future brings them more exciting ventures and projects.