Galaxy Mall in Tianjin City is the latest addition to China’s growing list of mega malls.

A part of the Cultural Center District, the new mall has a gross floor area of 360,000 sqm over five floors, making it one of the mainland’s five largest retail complexes.

Designed by global architecture and interior design firm tvsdesign, the mall was conceptualised with the belief that the commercial complex should open out to embrace the cultural activities and the natural amenities with the pedestrian flow of the grand promenade linking the Peoples Building and the Zhong Hua Opera House.

The mall’s focal point is a crystalline building of featured restaurants. This faceted glass building is the sculptural icon of the Commercial Complex, creating a complementary building edge for the buildings across the lake while maintaining the visual prominence and importance of the Opera House.

Drawing from the galaxy, four distinctly unique shopping experiences are discovered – the Sun, Moon, Star and Earth Courts. Each court provides the customer with shopping and dining opportunities along with special features and entertainment venues.

“We had the opportunity and the responsibility to create a retail project that would be seen and experienced as an integral piece of the city’s new cultural landmark,” said tvsdesign principal Mark Carter.

“It demanded a combination of a respectful, sophisticated architecture and a dynamic shopping experience,” he said.

The mall is currently more than 80 per cent leased.

Tvsdesign has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dubai and Shanghai.

GB