- Castellana Properties already has six certified properties in Spain, to which it now adds Bonaire and the four centers it manages in Portugal, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to inclusion across the Iberian Peninsula.
Castellana Properties, a publicly traded company specializing in the acquisition and management of shopping centers in the Iberian Peninsula, has announced that it has obtained AIS accessibility certification for its Bonaire shopping center in Valencia and for the entire portfolio managed by the company in Portugal.
To achieve this recognition, Castellana Properties has implemented improvements to its properties. The four shopping centers provide visitors with spacious and accessible horizontal pathways, as well as vertical access that is fully facilitated by the use of accessible elevators and platform lifts.
How has Castellana Properties managed to do this?
In terms of comfort and convenience, the facilities feature accessible restrooms equipped with everything needed for proper use, as well as nursing rooms designed to accommodate families in complete comfort. The parking lots have also been optimized with spaces reserved for people with limited mobility, as well as family parking spaces.
In terms of customer service, the centers have reception desks to assist and help visitors, as well as service points with clear, high-contrast signage; in the case of Bonaire, this includes call buttons for requesting immediate assistance.
In addition, all facilities ensure the comprehensive safety of users, incorporating special measures specifically designed for the evacuation of people with special needs in the event of an emergency. Through these measures, the company ensures a comprehensive approach that effectively addresses the physical, cognitive, and sensory aspects of accessibility.
“Obtaining AIS certification for our properties in Portugal clearly reflects Castellana Properties’ commitment to creating spaces that are truly accessible and designed to welcome everyone, with the utmost comfort and safety. Taking this step demonstrates our proactive management capabilities and our ongoing commitment to exceeding required standards, thereby generating a positive and tangible social impact in the communities where we operate. “, notes Jorge Orondo, Senior Energy & Utilities Manager at Castellana Properties.
For his part, Ignacio Lucini, Director of Institutional Relations at the ARS Foundation, emphasized that “Castellana Properties has demonstrated a strong commitment to accessibility by having its properties in Spain and Portugal certified by AIS, always with a commitment to continuous improvement and the ultimate goal of creating retail spaces that welcome all visitors.”
What is AIS?
Created and managed internationally by the ARS Foundation, a private nonprofit organization with more than four decades of experience in social projects and initiatives, the AIS is currently the accessibility certification with the broadest international reach. The system is present in more than 30 countries and has issued more than 4,000 certificates since 2013. The standard evaluates the condition of properties, serving as a strategic tool that supports the implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plans and the enhancement of property value.
The certification obtained for these five centers joins those already held for Vallsur, Puerta Europa, Bahía Sur, Los Arcos, El Faro, and Habaneras. In addition, the company is working to obtain certification for the properties that have been added to its portfolio in recent months.
Castellana Properties Presents Its Annual ESG Report
In addition, Castellana Properties has just published its ESG Report for fiscal year 2026, which outlines the key progress made in its “Beyond ESG Boundaries” strategy and establishes sustainability as a cross-cutting element of its investment, financing, and asset management.
Among the key milestones of the fiscal year were achieving the highest GRESB rating— five stars and 91 points—as well as receiving the EPRA BPR Gold and EPRA sBPR Gold awards, which recognize the company’s quality, transparency, and performance in ESG matters.
In terms of environmental performance, 100% of the shopping centers hold BREEAM Excellent certification or higher and are integrated into management systems certified under ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. In addition, 91.7% of the electricity consumed in common areas and for HVAC comes from renewable sources; installed photovoltaic capacity has reached 4 MWp; and energy efficiency measures have generated 5.8 GWh in certified savings.
In the social sphere, Castellana Properties has achieved a score of 91% on the Great Place to Work Trust Index and has carried out more than 300 social initiatives at its shopping centers, focusing on inclusion, well-being, support for the local economy, and collaboration with local organizations and communities.
