Beijing and Shanghai malls?
Dec 25, 2023, 12:01 pm
#1
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Beijing and Shanghai malls?
Are there any good new malls that have opened since the pandemic? Pre-pandemic, I would visit the Oriental Plaza and Guomao in Beijing. IFC and Superbrand in Shanghai was also pretty good. I'm not sure if I'm missing any other ones. Suggestions?
Dec 25, 2023, 3:27 pm
#2
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New malls are continuing to pop up all over China at a breakneck pace, often as part of mixed use developments. Whether or not they are good is a subjective matter. Personally, I often prefer the grimy neighborhoods that they displace and I fail to see the utility of never being more than 2 km away from a Ferragamo store, but I know a lot of people who equate malls with progress.
I think 1000 trees is kind of cool looking though.
https://www.archdaily.com/975297/100...herwick-studio
I think 1000 trees is kind of cool looking though.
https://www.archdaily.com/975297/100...herwick-studio
Dec 25, 2023, 3:54 pm
#3
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I went to a mall recently that I was around for when it was built and brand new (in Tongzhou, Beijing) maybe 8 years ago. The thing was falling apart, more than 70% of the thing was empty, and it looked horrible.
Malls seem to have about a 10-year life expectancy in China.
Malls seem to have about a 10-year life expectancy in China.
Dec 25, 2023, 4:58 pm
#4
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Beijing
Modern Plaza in Haidian closing end of this year. A very nice grocery store in lower level of this 7-story retail mall between 3rd & 4th ring roads in Beijing. The mall really was not busy except on weekends, probably because online sales were easier and cheaper with inclusive delivery. The mall building was about 15 years old with unique food court area (pre-pandemic) which is gone now.
Upscale malls in Guomao area of Beijing are busy in the evening hours, all the brands are there. Several subway lines nearby. They even have a Sephora store with both chinese & western cosmetics.
Upscale malls in Guomao area of Beijing are busy in the evening hours, all the brands are there. Several subway lines nearby. They even have a Sephora store with both chinese & western cosmetics.
Last edited by Jiatong; Dec 25, 2023 at 4:59 pm Reason: splng
Dec 25, 2023, 5:36 pm
#5
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Modern Plaza in Haidian closing end of this year. A very nice grocery store in lower level of this 7-story retail mall between 3rd & 4th ring roads in Beijing. The mall really was not busy except on weekends, probably because online sales were easier and cheaper with inclusive delivery. The mall building was about 15 years old with unique food court area (pre-pandemic) which is gone now.
Upscale malls in Guomao area of Beijing are busy in the evening hours, all the brands are there. Several subway lines nearby. They even have a Sephora store with both chinese & western cosmetics.
Upscale malls in Guomao area of Beijing are busy in the evening hours, all the brands are there. Several subway lines nearby. They even have a Sephora store with both chinese & western cosmetics.
Dec 25, 2023, 5:59 pm
#6
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But, the construction quality is often dreadful, and/or the owners want to go up market after about 7 years (starting from scratch is often more efficient than trying to renovate complete crap).
I do predict the mall business will crash at some point, but it is definitely still growing. And, I don't sense that online sales are a huge threat; malls are places to go and see (and be seen by) other humans.
Last edited by moondog; Dec 25, 2023 at 6:23 pm
Dec 25, 2023, 9:14 pm
#7
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The California style mall in Chaoyang, Salanoa, seems to be about the same as prior to the Pandemic, maybe a couple less restaurants. And the nearby river/lake water seems to be cleaner.
Last edited by Jiatong; Dec 25, 2023 at 9:18 pm Reason: splng
Dec 25, 2023, 10:55 pm
#8
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Mixc is a particularly agressive mall operator.
http://localhost:3000/posts/mixc-luxury-mall-china-second-third-tie
Eta: that link seems to be bunk (it changes to localhost when I copy it).
If you want to read the article, go to jingdaily.com and search for mixc.
Unlike Soho, their malls all seem to be pretty much the same (architecture, layout, anchor tenants), so kind of boring, but I often seek them out when visiting lower tier cities because decent food is almost guaranteed.
http://localhost:3000/posts/mixc-luxury-mall-china-second-third-tie
Eta: that link seems to be bunk (it changes to localhost when I copy it).
If you want to read the article, go to jingdaily.com and search for mixc.
Unlike Soho, their malls all seem to be pretty much the same (architecture, layout, anchor tenants), so kind of boring, but I often seek them out when visiting lower tier cities because decent food is almost guaranteed.
Last edited by moondog; Dec 25, 2023 at 11:06 pm
Dec 26, 2023, 11:29 pm
#9
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Mixc is a particularly agressive mall operator.
http://localhost:3000/posts/mixc-lux...cond-third-tie
Eta: that link seems to be bunk (it changes to localhost when I copy it).
If you want to read the article, go to jingdaily.com and search for mixc.
Unlike Soho, their malls all seem to be pretty much the same (architecture, layout, anchor tenants), so kind of boring, but I often seek them out when visiting lower tier cities because decent food is almost guaranteed.
http://localhost:3000/posts/mixc-lux...cond-third-tie
Eta: that link seems to be bunk (it changes to localhost when I copy it).
If you want to read the article, go to jingdaily.com and search for mixc.
Unlike Soho, their malls all seem to be pretty much the same (architecture, layout, anchor tenants), so kind of boring, but I often seek them out when visiting lower tier cities because decent food is almost guaranteed.
Dec 30, 2023, 10:56 pm
#10
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Solana is probably the best overall in warmer months though doesnt have any high end places. Its a decent destination for a 'day out'.
Indigo near Lido has an outstanding winter garden, arguably one of the best malls in BJ. Nothing high end though.
Shine Hills in Shunyi. Its an outstanding mall for the community it serves but probably not worth making the trek from downtown for it. Does have an interesting store called 'Fudi' which is a local take on Sams Club though slightly more upmarket.
Indigo near Lido has an outstanding winter garden, arguably one of the best malls in BJ. Nothing high end though.
Shine Hills in Shunyi. Its an outstanding mall for the community it serves but probably not worth making the trek from downtown for it. Does have an interesting store called 'Fudi' which is a local take on Sams Club though slightly more upmarket.