Sunny prospects for Galata with the Sun City Residence project

Sun City Residence is a new residential project planned for construction in the Galata district of Varna.

It features modern architecture, significant green areas, and improvements to public infrastructure, while access to the coastline will remain free. Behind the project is the team of engineer Valentin Vulev, a builder with many years of experience and awards in the industry.

The idea is already attracting attention both for its scale and for the public reactions it has provoked.

A few weeks ago, the Sun City Residence project was announced, which is the work of the construction companies Express Garantsion and Aquatech. The two companies are managed by engineer Valentin Vulev, a builder with over 35 years of experience, an impeccable reputation in the industry, and winner of the Golden Plumb Award.

The announced project envisages a large-scale investment unprecedented for the seaside capital. The complex is expected to significantly improve the public infrastructure in the Galata district of Varna and the quality of life there.

We talk to engineer Valentin Vulev about the project, the challenges, and the positive prospects.

Mr Vulev, what is happening in the Galata neighbourhood?

Nothing new yet, but we expect construction of Sun City Residence to start very soon. The project has all the prerequisites to become a landmark investment for Varna and the region. There is already a lot of information on the internet and the interest is extremely promising.

Why Sun City?

Because of the light. We are designing the buildings in a cascade to fit in with the natural slope of the terrain. The closer you are to the sea, the lower the number of floors.

Many iconic locations around the world are built in this way along the coast. This maximizes the view of the bay for each individual home. The cascading design, together with the distance between the individual buildings, minimizes mutual shading.

And that is why Sunny City is in complete contrast to Sunny Beach, where large-scale construction and a complete lack of overall planning have led to the presence of mammoth buildings, from which you often cannot even see the sea from the second line. But that is another story.

Is the complex actually on the first line?

Only the view is on the first line. The truth is that we are several hundred meters away from the beach and, more importantly, from the natural seaside slope.

Where exactly is the location of the future complex?

It is the site of the former military unit – right at the entrance to the Galata neighborhood. The main street separates it from the houses opposite. The plot has an area of over 175 decares and allows for integrated planning with full public functionality.

In practice, we are socialising an area that, figuratively speaking, has been taken away from the people of Varna for over 70 years. Before 1989, there was a functioning military unit there. Remains of barracks, bathrooms, warehouses and even a concrete plant are still visible. The wire fence is also still there.

Later, the land was acquired by a Sofia-based company, which has owned it for over 20 years and kept it as "cold" capital in its investment portfolio without undertaking any construction. We will open up access and build public infrastructure along with residential spaces.

What and how do you plan to implement it?

The project includes residential buildings that will be implemented in stages over the next 10 years. More importantly, every future owner will know from day one where what will be built, without the risk of being "surprised" one sunny day by a new balcony within arm's reach of their window.

We are planning over 40% landscaping, which is equivalent to 70 decares of green space. For comparison, Sevastopol Park and Botev Garden, taken together, are 10 decares. I can also give the example of Vazrazhdane Park - a beautiful space that is loved by the people of Varna. Its total area, including all alleys and attractions, is 30 decares.

The green areas in Sun City will be comparable to all these spaces, but will meet the needs of far fewer people, which suggests a much more comfortable environment.

In addition, we have planned a kindergarten, a primary school, an indoor swimming pool, a sports complex, a restaurant, and bicycle and pedestrian paths. It is extremely important to note that the complex, with all its available infrastructure and recreation areas, will be freely accessible to citizens. What's more, we are already in talks with the owners of the plots between us and the seashore to build a pedestrian route to the beach, which will be the first direct access for the residents of Varna and Galata to this beach.

There is information circulating on the internet that you will build 3,000 homes. Is this true?

It is an exaggeration. The actual number of fully completed homes is around 2,000. This amounts to about 200 apartments per year, which is not that much spread out over time, but represents healthy growth and gradual saturation.

These parameters correspond fully to the size of the territory. It is about a quarter of the area of the Galata neighborhood.

According to official data, the neighbourhood has a population of several thousand, with most of the construction consisting of houses on plots of 500-600 square meters, each with a small yard. As they say, I wish everyone could have this, but nowadays there is simply no such space available.

On the other hand, the complexes are built with a concept of multi-storey construction and unified green and public areas. This achieves a scale that allows for a park environment and shared public infrastructure – shops, restaurants, sports facilities, and educational institutions.

Does this mean doubling the population in the neighbourhood?

If we assume that all owners live in their apartments year-round, then yes. But what could be better than that? For now, Galata and, to some extent, Asparuhovo remain behind in the preferences of Varna residents precisely because of the lack of real estate that meets people's modern needs and expectations. This project will bring economic prosperity and, more importantly, a better quality of life for everyone in the area.

There have been comments on some social networks that the area is prone to landslides. Is there any truth in this?

Not in the slightest.

I will start with the simplest fact—this is a former military site with barracks from a time when the army left nothing to chance. Do you think they would have allowed a facility to be built on compromised land?

Apart from these considerations, there is a detailed engineering-geological report with geological surveys (core drilling) carried out by the state-owned company Geozashchita Varna and two subsequent geological expert reports, the last one commissioned by our company immediately before the purchase of the land. All studies categorically establish geotechnical stability.

Any sensible person realises that no investor would invest so much money blindly. To this must be added the extremely detailed monitoring and audit by the bank, as we made the purchase not only with our own funds, but also with additional credit resources. Anyone who has taken out a loan knows what it means to convince the bank that the money it is giving you is well secured.

But aren't there landslides near Cape Galata?

The nature of the coastline near Varna is similar everywhere. Where it is not protected by breakwaters (coastal protection structures), the sea waves slowly erode it, which is reflected in the contact zone and the last few meters of the respective slope.

The Sun City Residence site is located more than 200 meters from the sea. By comparison, the panoramic road to St. St. Constantine and Helena passes at such a distance from the slope above the coastline in the section between Piccadilly Park and Trakata. I have not heard anyone express concern about a landslide there, as there is quite intensive construction on both sides of the road.

Somewhere it was written that the project is located in a protected area?

This is even more ridiculous. The complex is located in an urbanised area with an approved regulatory plan. How can there be regulated land in a protected area?!

How do you explain such publications then?

First of all, I want to emphasise that I have the utmost respect for civic engagement, and our entire team is always open to dialogue. Unfortunately, many conscientious citizens are misled by false posts.

The publications of recent days reveal a clear plan to escalate tensions. Outright lies and manipulated photographic material are being published. We are the target of a deliberate and coordinated attack.

Who would do this and why?

If I knew, I would have passed the information on to the competent authorities. We are still investigating. Most likely, it is a matter of the affected interests of construction entrepreneurs with projects in other parts of the city.

It sounds quite conspiratorial. Doesn't the huge demand mean that there are enough buyers for everyone?

Not exactly. If you could choose between new construction at similar prices in the densely built-up areas of Vazrazhdane, Mladost, and Levski on the one hand, or in Sun City on the other, which would you choose?

It seems that one or more companies are suffering from an outflow of customers towards our project and are now trying to discredit it unofficially. A smear campaign is underway. Unfortunately, due to the huge boom in construction, quite a few people with questionable morals have entered our industry.

A new phase in consumer attitudes is beginning. The construction process has become significantly more expensive, and "purchases by the kilo" are gradually coming to an end. Customers are looking for properties with potential. Real estate that will retain its value over time because it has additional qualities such as location, light, microclimate, clean air, and so on.

This process jeopardises investments that are made for their own sake, and this leads to serious concerns about their implementation.

How do you expect this situation to develop?

I believe in people's common sense. Bulgarians do not like to be deceived, and I would not be surprised if they punish this attempt at manipulation with even greater interest in our complex.

I invite citizens to get their information from the source—we provide all the information and are always ready to discuss ideas and answer questions. Anyone interested in the project can seek answers directly from us.

We do not build on doubts – we build on facts, expertise, and proven experience. We build and stand behind what we build! We are not fly-by-night operators, and we do not register a new company for each new project.

Any final thoughts?

Come and meet us. Not in the office, but on site. I am convinced that anyone who sees the view from Sun City Residence will want to live there. Pre-sales are already underway.

You can find the interview HERE