As the world emerged from recession, developers began hatching plans for the next generation of shopping centres, and now they are coming to fruition. Noella Pio Kivlehan takes a look at some innovative developments taking shape across the globe
The Lexicon, Bracknell
Location: Bracknell, Berkshire
Size: 580,00 sq ft
Developer: Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, a 50:50 joint venture between Legal & General Capital and Schroder UK Real Estate Fund, together with Bracknell Forest council.
Architect: BDP. Gillespies for public realm and landscaping
Bracknell in Berkshire is the first post-war new town to be comprehensively redeveloped, with one of the biggest regeneration projects currently taking place in the UK. Its regeneration includes 580,000 sq ft of new development, which will form part of an integrated and modernised 1m sq ft shopping and leisure destination.
The former Charles Square area is being demolished, all of which is on schedule.
Winchester House, the largest former office block in the town centre, is being developed by Comer Homes into a high-quality residential scheme, comprising 311 homes and leisure facilities, including a gym and restaurants.
Eagle House, an eight-storey office block being converted into a 92-home residential scheme, is currently being refurbished and will complete in spring 2017.
Construction started at the end of March 2015 with completion in spring 2017.
Marina Mall, Qatar
Location: Doha, Qatar
Size: 1.07 m sq ft
Developer: Mazaya Qatar Real Estate Development
Architect: HOK
The retail and leisure scheme, launched in 2012 and set to open in 2018, is located in Lusail on the east coast of Qatar, approximately 15km north of Doha city centre. It is laid out over three levels, with an additional 37,700 sq ft hypermarket at basement level. It will have cinemas, restaurants with terraced dining overlooking the marina, and spa facilities.
Resorts World, Birmingham
Location: NEC, Birmingham
Size: 538,000 sq ft
Developer/architect: Benoy
Due to open in late 2015, Resorts World Birmingham is a new leisure and entertainment complex at the National Exhibition Centre.
Situated around a lake, the scheme will be the first of its kind to be built in Europe and will include a 50-unit designer outlet centre, a 178-bedroom boutique hotel and spa, an 11-screen cinema, bars, restaurants, a casino and a conference and banqueting centre.
Close to Birmingham Airport, the aim of the mixed-use development is to enhance the leisure offer to both visitors to the NEC and to the wider region.
Parklake, Romania
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Size: GBA 1.2m sq ft
Developer: Sonae Sierra / Caelum Development
Architect: Broadway Malyan
Serving the 2.5m people living in Bucharest and the surrounding areas, and costing €180m (£127m), the 1.2m sq ft Parklake centre is already 70% let.
Confirmed tenants include Inditex, Zara, P&C, Hervis, H&M, Mango, and Carrefour, which will occupy a 129,000 sq ft hypermarket. There is a total of 200 shops and the centre is scheduled to open next year.
Mall Plaza El Trebol (slow food)
Location: Concepción, Chile
Size: 37,700 sq ft
Architect: Broadway Malyan (restyling of terraces)
With construction starting in November, Broadway Malyan is developing the terraces for the revamped food area in the existing centre as part of an overall repositioning project. The Mall Plaza is part of a chain of centres, with seven in Chile and three in Peru. Mall Plaza El Trebol was opened in 1995, with numerous extensions added over the years. The latest started in 2013.
Supernova
Location: Noida, India
Size: 5m sq ft
Developer/architect: Benoy
Supernova is a mixed-use development featuring five towers. The waterfront development will blend green living with modern luxury conveniences.
The project will have large-scale malls and showcase a wide range of retail offerings, including international brands. It will also offer luxury homes, advanced workspaces, five-star hotels, recreational centres and good transport connections.
The development’s Spira Tower is set to become northern India’s tallest mixed-use development.
The 80-storey tower will include flats, suites and a hotel. The tower will be crowned with a fine-dining restaurant and bar, offering panoramic views over the surrounding waterways and Noida bird sanctuary.
