Property company New World Development is tapping into a niche market through its revamped D.Park shopping mall in Tsuen Wan, creating the world’s first children’s mall.
Its playing, learning and retailing concept will target children up to 12 years old.
Hong Kong has a shortage of space where children can play and learn, says New World executive vice-chairman Adrian Cheng Chi-kong.
“We see it as a demand, so decided to create the world’s first children’s mall with a theme park and multiple-intelligence zones.”
D.Park has set aside 40,000 sqft (3716 sqm) of its 630,000 sqft for the multiple-intelligence zones, which will offer “experience” courses for children. Nearly 100 educational institutions and international educational groups will be offering 1000 courses for children of various age groups.
“As we are the pioneers, we don’t see any competition,” says Cheng.
New World has invested HK$700 million (US$90 million) to revamp the mall since 2012, with the new look ready in January. Rental income has grown by more than 30 per cent since, with about 3 million visitors a month.
Cheng says the concept will be expanded to mainland China, with Wuhan likely to be first.
Eight years ago, New World introduced the K11 art mall concept in Tsim Sha Tsui, an art-meets-retail concept that is now being rolled out in Chinese cities.