2002 - Fashion centre 'UFO'

In 2002, right next to the A6 motorway at the Veluwedreef exit, the new Mode Centrum Almere opened. Popularly known as 'the UFO', this metal bulwark is soon referred to as reminiscent of a spaceship. Next to the sleek aluminium cladding and façade of multi-coloured panels will be a square 'Cube'. Complementing the aluminium façade, the Cube will have a second skin made of coloured glass slats. Depending on the weather, the building will change colour. Other recognisable elements are the glass connecting bridges between the buildings. Later, the fashion centre is given the name: 'Brandboxx'. Today, it is called Cube Fashion Centre.

In this same year, the king of Ghana (Ashanti) pays Almere a visit, as Almere has had a city tie with Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region in Ghana, since 1996. The town hall square fills up with interested parties.

On the sports front, Almere also reached a milestone: the football club SV Almere is 25 years old.