Mall Group pumping Bt50 bn into six world-class shopping centres

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INVESTMENT
Mall Group pumping Bt50 bn into six world-class shopping centres
The Nation


Supaluck

BANGKOK: -- The Mall Group is set to make Thai retail history with more than Bt50 billion worth of investment being allocated to six world-class shopping centres - The Emporium, The EmQuartier, The Emsphere, BluPort, BluPearl and Bangkok Mall.

These imaginative projects will comprise business, retail and entertainment centres that will place Bangkok and Thailand at the forefront of world retail innovation and lifestyle, the company said yesterday.

The expansion will form a major part of The Mall Group's bid to cash in on the full implementation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) next year.

Supaluck Umpujh, vice chairman of The Mall Group, said the company's mission and goal was to elevate Thailand to a world-leading retail centre with resort-destination and entertainment facilities.

"Following our success in making Siam Paragon, our shopping complex on Rama I Road, a world-class retail and entertainment phenomenon, we are now ready to create new retail mega-projects, which will lead the way to even greater success in what we see as a bold and pioneering step into the retail and lifestyle reality of the future," she said.

The District-Em will be a 650,000-square-metre retail centre consisting of three world-class shopping complexes - The Emporium, The EmQuartier and The Emsphere - located on a 50-rai (8 hectares) plot adjacent to Benjasiri Park.

The project represents an investment of more than Bt20 billion at the heart of Sukhumvit, covering more than 1,000 world-class Thai and international brands, shops, luxury fashion labels, technology, lifestyle, living and dining facilities.

In addition to being a commercial hub, The District-Em is set to be an iconic district for retail, business, office, residential and entertainment facilities.

Encompassing a total area of 200,000 square metres, The Emporium itself will be renovated to project an elegant and modern atmosphere.

The EmQuartier, which will comprise 250,000 square metres of space, includes a high-end shopping centre, office building, atriums for events and recreation, and a park.

Meanwhile, The Emsphere, with a project area of 200,000 square metres, is widely expected to create a revolutionary shopping experience.

"Thailand's participation in the AEC in 2015 will herald a major change in the country's position as a leading regional shopping hub and top tourist destination. There are 10 Asean member countries, totalling 600 million in population.

"The improved infrastructure, transportation and airports in key cities is expected to increase inbound [Thai] tourism from 25 million to 40 million people within the next five years, with the key destination cities including Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai," said Supaluck.

In preparation of the expected increase in tourism triggered by the AEC, The Mall Group is launching another retail project under its Blu Collection in Hua Hin.

The company is collaborating with Proud Real Estate by investing more than Bt5 billion in BluPort, the first resort mall in Hua Hin district.

The project occupies 250,000 square metres of retail space located on a 25-rai plot in the heart of Hua Hin, across from the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort.

Supaluck said the group's vision also included the development of Phuket into a world-class resort and shopping destination.

Its BluPearl project on the resort-island comprises 650,000 square metres on a 150-rai plot, and will be equipped with a convention and exhibition centre - the most modern in Phuket - a resort hotel and world-class theme parks.

The BluPearl is slated to be the leading world-class luxury retail and entertainment resort destination in Asia, she added.

Another pivotal goal for The Mall Group is its flagship project and the company's grand statement, Bangkok Mall, to be located at the intersection of Bang Na-Trat and Sukhumvit roads.

Udom Suk and Bang Na BTS stations will connect directly to the 650,000-square-metre Bangkok Mall, which will occupy a plot of some 100 rai across from the Bitec convention centre in Bang Na, which is expanding to 300,000 square metres.

The Mall Group is investing more than Bt20 billion in the Bangkok Mall project, which is destined to become a city within a city with its ultra-modern and spectacular architecture consisting of business, residential and office space, said the vice chairman.


-- The Nation 2014-05-07

[NongKhaiKid]

Maybe you should wait until there are actual tourists around.

The reds might appreciate the malls though.

[zydeco]

Just sounds like more of the same to me. Sometimes convenient but sort of boring. And a mega shopping center in Hua Hin. Hua Hin, the next Pattaya.

Edited May 7, 2014 by zydeco

[MaxLee]

Awwwww, Great just what Thailand needs the most, more shopping centers, and less trees.

Those owners just want to fill their pockets at nature's expense.

Maybe you should wait until there are actual tourists around.

The reds might appreciate the malls though.

Yep, they're just gonna burn them down...

Edited May 7, 2014 by MaxLee

[jpeg]

Just what we need. More huge soulless hangers selling overpriced stuff. Yes, everyone needs more stuff. Siam paragon? Good bookshop's about it. Give me a wander down any European street with it's little specialist shops exuding personality any day.

[JoeThePoster]

In addition to being a commercial hub, The District-Em is set to be an iconic district for retail, business, office, residential and entertainment facilities.

In recognition of this tremendous achievement, that section of Sukhumvit Road will be renamed EmParkingLot.

[WhizBang]

So... Shopping Hub?

But seriously, do we really need more shopping malls?

[MaxLee]

So... Shopping Hub?

But seriously, do we really need more shopping malls?

Better than Thai-autocratic school, so people can abuse their money, rather than wasting their time with boring assed overrated crap lectures....

Children will learn that money flushes away in lightning speed....

Edited May 7, 2014 by MaxLee

[whimsy]

They better do something now about expanding the BTS and Metro capacity. This is going to create a new Pathumwan.

[noitom]

Wait until the Thai bureaucrats start charging 100 baht per hour for parking to raise revenue. We'll see how many Thais wind up passing on the opportunity to show off their cars and parade around these high end malls.

[ChrisY1]

So... Shopping Hub?

But seriously, do we really need more shopping malls?

Obviously we do.....especially in Hua Hin......it should make driving so much more difficult....these developers don't give a damn!!!

[bushwacker]

Great idea this ....

We need more air conditioned havens to help escape the hot Thai weather. As I walk around the many high end huge, large and small shopping centers, I see many people enjoying the comfort of the cooler air, yet next to nobody is buying anything. Nice place to relax and cool down .... but .... wonder how can this keep going.

Here in my province's capital, we have had 3 new shopping centers built in the last 2 years. Which brings the total now to 6 shopping centers or should i say 6 rest and relaxation spots. Go to any one of these places and you will see the same stores as the other 5. Basically no variety. And the sad thing is the number of customers has not changed, just now spread around.

On my last visit to one mall, I saw that 7 shops had closed their doors, guess they finally decided to read the writing on the wall.

Some times thinking outside the box, is a good idea before making the plans and spending billions. For example there are large cities outside the capital city that have 0 shopping centers. Strategically building a mall there would result in large profits. But alas, Thais think if one business is doing well then you should build right beside the successful one so you can also make money. From my house, I can now comfortable walk to 3 shopping centers and 5 minutes on cycle gets me to the other 3.

Thailand the hub of GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES.

[hyperdimension]

Give me a wander down any European street with it's little specialist shops exuding personality any day.

We need coffeshops like those in Amsterdam.

[meatboy]

they have had korat to theirselves as long as I can remember,now that we are going to a central plaza and terminal 21 how many traders will jump ship. home pro left last month.

[empireboy]

I'd rather shop from home in an online mall. That way I can drink great coffee in air conditioned comfort and watch the fashion channel. www.ogglersmall.com.au

[catweazle]

And without a thought of the consequence
I gave in to my decadence

(Pink Floyd)

[tingtongteesood]

Whoopteedoo. Do we really need yet more crappy malls ? Every shopping mall here is the same, they are all boring and have little or no character at all. I hate them all ! 6 more of the same. I can hardly contain my excitement ( sarcasm )

[tubby johnson]

Just what Bangkok urgently needs: more f***ing shopping malls!

[Evolare]

Big mistake if there is something bangkok dont need its more shopping centers.

[p_brownstone]

I think the Mall Group could use some serious help in deciding on names for these new Malls!

Patrick

[geoman1976]

WoW, way to think outside the box there, guys. Bkk is the biggest city I know that has so little to actually do for fun...and shopping malls aren't fun!

[lineofentry]

These projects are sold to investors on the drawing board on the promise of never-ending rental income and income streams that can be packaged and traded in clever little schemes and holding funds. The land deals and construction contracts are extra carrots. The elite will get richer off them regardless.

[oztaurus]

I do like the way that the "heart of Huahin" has somehow moved out past soi 100.

ChrisY1, agreed, the traffic will be a nightmare even with the new u-turn there, that slip lane is just not big enough (and 3/4 of it is blocked off by those orange cones anyway) and the business just isn't there to support it - look at what happened when Market Village opened the basement, it just diluted the buiness and raised the rents so the only people making profits are the mall owners.

[hanno]

It seems to me that mast malls are never full of shoppers, apart from the food courts that is. But sure, someone will make heaps of money out of this.

[Suradit69]

Just what we need. More huge soulless hangers selling overpriced stuff. Yes, everyone needs more stuff. Siam paragon? Good bookshop's about it. Give me a wander down any European street with it's little specialist shops exuding personality any day.

"Give me a wander down any European street with it's little specialist shops exuding personality any day."

" any European street"

Probably a bad move to come to Thailand if you want wander down any European street (or to expect Thailand to pretend to be something that exists in your imagination), but for a nostalgic trip down "any European street ... exuding personality," (and a death threat against Wayne Rooney as an added bonus) here's a few charming examples. They're definitely exuding something.

Edited May 7, 2014 by Suradit69

[Dogmatix]

Awwwww, Great just what Thailand needs the most, more shopping centers, and less trees.

Those owners just want to fill their pockets at nature's expense.

Maybe you should wait until there are actual tourists around.

The reds might appreciate the malls though.

Yep, they're just gonna burn them down...

Don't think there are many trees left on those plots.

[3NUMBAS]

The thai mall rats need more rat runs as thats their main hobby ,from 1 mall to the next mall always on the run

[HOAX]

Sounds good, but the biggest problem for me, and I think for many others too, is that the traffic jams and the incredible long distances between things in BKK is a real partypooper.

It's well known that Thais lack the ability to organize, make plans, have structure and to think some years ahead. Every single street in Thailand shows that very well. Because of that the interest for me to go visit BKK unless I have to, just isn't there.

- Squeeze all government offices and buildings into a relatively short distanced area.

- Instead of having 100 shopping malls (or whatever it is) spread around. Create a few bigger shopping areas and split each shopping area into sections (food, home products, automotive, etc).

- Do something about the damn traffic. Many times it take a whole day just to do something that shouldn't take more than a couple of hours.

[socksy01]

It will help the unemployment issues. Loads of shop staff standing around doing nothing/doing make-up or squeezing zits.

[SantiSuk]

Something odd here. $300 million does not buy you a "world-class retail and entertainment phenomenon" in the heart of a major city. It might buy you an uninspiring uniform concrete shed a la 'Centran'.

Depressing marketing bull****.