Top 10 Biggest Malls in the World by Experience and Design
In recent urban development, shopping malls have taken centre stage. They are no longer mere retail hubs; these are destinations for entertainment, dining, recreation, and cultural exchange. There are some malls which are built as multi-purpose centres where there is a hotel, library, cinema, and sports stadium within the same roof. This article will focus on the top ten largest malls in the world in terms of size, functionality, and design.
In this article, you will know which global malls rule the roost in size, visitor experience, and architectural innovation.
Top 10 Largest Malls in the World
- 1. Iran Mall – Tehran, Iran
- 2. Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE
- 3. The Avenues Mall Kuwait City, Kuwait
- 4. IOI City Mall – Putrajaya, Malaysia
- 5. New South China Mall – Dongguan, China
- 6. SM Mall of Asia – Manila, Philippines
- 7. Golden Resources Mall – Beijing, China
- 8. Utama Petaling Jaya Mall – Selangor, Malaysia
- 9. West Edmonton Mall – Alberta, Canada
- 10. Central World-Bangkok, Thailand
1. Iran Mall – Tehran, Iran
Iran Mall is a multi-purpose facility built on a cultural identity, entertainment, and trade-based concept. The mall is situated in the proximity of Lake Chitgar and attaches traditional Iranian elements of architecture such as arches, domes, and tilework. It is a three-storied library with more than 45,000 manuscripts and books.
It also has a music hall, a museum area, and indoor gardens, as well as a modern cinema complex and sports arenas such as an ice hockey rink; all 18 percent of the complex is adapted to cultural and recreational purposes, differentiating it from traditional retail-oriented malls. It is among the very few malls in the world that have managed to incorporate heritage and hospitality on this scale.
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2. Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE
The Dubai Mall is a four-storied building constructed by Emaar and positioned next to Burj Khalifa, and it is part of the Downtown Dubai district. The mall has more than 1,200 retail shops, Dubai Aquarium, SEGA Republic indoor theme park, the largest candy store in the world and a full-sized skating rink. It features 22-screen cinemas, and it is directly connected to the Dubai Fountain.
There are eight themed zones to help control visitor traffic. The mall also has touchscreen directories and an intelligent navigation system that is capable of supporting real-time footfall analysis, store planning, and customer service. The visual experience is enriched by luxury finishing, like the use of marble flooring and the use of crystal chandeliers.
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3. The Avenues Mall Kuwait City, Kuwait
This one of the biggest shopping centre in the world is composed of 12 architectural zones, such as Prestige, Grand Avenue, SoKu, and The Forum. They are all very different in theme-classical European to modern industrial. The mall has more than 1,100 stores spread over several levels, and the mall is characterized by extensive food and leisure areas.
The Electra zone has a curved LED installation of 600m 2 and an interactive floor display. This is a digital attraction that increases visitor interaction and brand advertisement worth. Its parking system has a capacity of more than 13,000 cars, which makes it accessible in the rush hour. It is a design destination and a commercial hub in the Gulf.
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4. IOI City Mall – Putrajaya, Malaysia
The mall has merged large-scale retailing with educational and recreational purposes. After its second expansion, it includes a green educational exhibition, IOI City Farm, and an indoor obstacle park, District 21. The sports facilities feature 15 badminton courts and two futsal courts. The cinema complex provides 13 modern AV systems.
Digital signage systems are built into stores, including transparent LED displays that are applied by the retailer Decathlon. Touch screen directories at all entrances are updated in real-time, and the design encourages open-air corridors and natural light skylights. It was designed to resemble the tropical Malaysian identity in a controlled indoor setting.
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5. New South China Mall – Dongguan, China
This mall was constructed with great expectations that were initially met; it has international architectural zones that are patterned after such cities as Amsterdam, Paris and Venice. It has a roller coaster, gondola rides, a marine-based park and an IMAX-style movie theatre.
Although there were initial vacancies, it is facing adaptive redevelopment. Its theme-based design is divided into theme plazas and amusement areas. The mall was initially created to target high-income consumers, but it is now called the Ghost Mall due to changing demographics. Its present restoration plans are on community events and tenant mix.
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6. SM Mall of Asia – Manila, Philippines
This mall is situated in the vicinity of Manila Bay and covers numerous buildings linked by several walkways. It has more than 3,500 stores, an IMAX theatre, five hotels, and a full-size ice rink. The Galeon Museum is a museum displaying maritime artefacts and ship models. Intra-mall transport is done by a 20-seater tram.
Campaign visuals and brand messages are played in the atrium on LED screens such as the MOA 360 LED column. Adjacent to the arena is the Mall of Asia Arena Mesh – one of the largest digital display facades in Southeast Asia. It has a plaza that faces the sea and is utilized regularly in public events and New Year celebrations.
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7. Golden Resources Mall – Beijing, China
Golden Resources Mall has large open corridors, high ceilings, and Chinese decorative elements. It has over 750 retail shops, a cinema complex and a musical fountain. A huge dining hall occupies two football fields. The architecture incorporates curved glass buildings and spacious entrances. The mall has also enjoyed a steady footfall by using promotions and improvements in tenant mix, which was previously not doing too well. It is strong in the way it combines traditional culture with high-density retail planning.
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8. Utama Petaling Jaya Mall – Selangor, Malaysia
This mall is also known as 1 Utama; it has a collection of more than 750 shops and several themed areas. It has the biggest rooftop garden in Southeast Asia, its Secret Garden, a tropical rainforest, an indoor climbing gym, and karaoke lounges found in the mall.
There are clear differences between spot zones, fashion, electronics and family zones to regulate traffic. Walkways are broad, and there is good utilization of natural ventilation and daylight. The mall has gone through various expansion cycles, which has made it flexible to new trends in retailing without losing environmental characteristics.
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9. West Edmonton Mall – Alberta, Canada
This mall, which was created by the Ghermezian family, is home to more than 800 stores and services, as well as the Galaxyland amusement park, World Waterpark, and themed areas such as Bourbon Street and Europa Boulevard. It has two hotels on site.
The mini golf course and NHL-sized ice rink are all family-friendly attractions. A digital signage system is utilized where updates are done in food courts, retail areas, and hotels, which are all centralized. In real-time, there are promotions, maps, and event listings on the screens all over the place, and this means that there is a unified message and better visitor service.
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10. Central World-Bangkok, Thailand
CentralWorld is one of the most popular shopping malls in Southeast Asia. It consists of departmental stores, luxury brands, more than 100 restaurants, a kid's zone, and an ice rink. The mall also has a 180-meter curved LED screen named Panoramix that plays synchronized multimedia programs.
It is connected to transit stations and surrounding buildings via a sky bridge. The floors are based on a thematic arrangement, and broad atriums facilitate the flow of crowds during events and seasonal promotions. The plaza is frequently used as a venue for concerts, political gatherings and the New Year countdown in Bangkok.
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Conclusion
The largest malls in the world are not just places with shops. They reconceptualize the appearance of urban life and consumer culture. These complexes have established new standards, as they host international events and have indoor theme parks and rooftop gardens. They draw millions of tourists by providing diversified experiences at a single location.
Examining the size, planning and purpose of these mammoth projects can offer clues to future urban patterns. They are not merely malls, but they are contemporary town centres.
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