Park life: why China’s malls are building forests, waterfalls and sky walkways

Property developers are focusing on building shopping centres featuring lush greenery, gardens and water features in mainland China, as such spaces have become more attractive to shoppers and retailers than conventional high-density malls.

“Consumers increasingly view retail destinations as places to spend time rather than simply places to buy products. This reflects the continued growth of online retail as well as changing lifestyle preferences,” said James Macdonald, head of research for China at Savills.

“They are spending more time on dining, leisure, wellness and social activities, which naturally benefit from more open and human-scale environments. Open-air formats can also support a wider range of events and activities, helping projects remain active beyond traditional shopping hours and contributing to nighttime consumption.”

Located alongside a river in northeastern Beijing, the complex will integrate eight connected office buildings, an expanded retail component linked to the existing Indigo mall, a new hotel, outdoor retail space, a riverside leisure offering and expansive green space – a combination the company said was not currently available in the capital.

The mixed-use complex is expected to begin opening in phases by the end of the year, with the office towers to be handed over first for fit-out, followed by the gradual roll-out of retail offerings.

“We developed the project around a park-centric concept, and it functions as an urban oasis. Such open public spaces are scarce in major cities, and I think the Beijing site is well-positioned for such a development,” said Han Zhi, director of retail at Swire Properties.