The recently opened (Oct. 1st, 2007) Elements Mall atop Kowloon MTR Station in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district, is not only the newest mall in the city, it’s the largest. With over 1 million-square-feet of retail space, the four-story Elements Mall was built to give consumers the ultimate luxury shopping experience. Designed by architectural firm Benoy – best know for Bluewater in the U.K., Europe’s largest mall – the mall’s design is based on the five elements of nature: water, earth, fire, wood and metal. Each zone features a different mix of retailers as well as artwork and interactive installations reflecting the theme.
Chris Lohan, senior associate director of Benoy, said that although the concept had changed over the years, one idea stayed the same: The mall had to be both entertaining and comprehensive. “We wanted to give something unique to both the Hong Kong population and to tourists,” said Lohan.
Famous brand retailers include Armani Exchange, Cartier, Coach, Daks, DKNY, Gucci, Prada and Zara, but shopping isn’t the only attraction. Atop Elements Mall is a 700,000-square-foot rooftop garden with alfresco dining options, 700-seat cinema, and ice rink.
If you’re planning to visit, the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel will be the perfect place to stay. While the Elements Mall occupies the first four floors of International Commerce Centre (118 story skyscraper), the Ritz Carlson (opening in 2009) will occupy the top 15 floors of the tower – making it the highest hotel in the world.
Wow, simply amazing, especially the hockey rink with the natural light to fill the space. Why does Asia get all these crazy malls and America get nothing. I went to Philippines and Japan over the summer and they put our malls to shame. Bring some of that crazy shopping experience over here!!
There’s a mall here in Canada in Edmonton, called the West Edmonton Mall and it is one of the biggest malls in North America. I been to it twice, first time when I was a small kid and the second time I went was back in summer of 2004. I’m not sure how it compares to Elements, but it seems that people in Hong Kong can expect some big boutique shops there. Speaking about shopping… Elements is going to be on on my to-do-list when I first visit Hong Kong. :)
From the photos, the mall looks very chique. I really like the 5 elements theme, hence the mall name “Elements”. I noticed that there is a ice rink in the mall, which is maybe only unique to Elements, cause it’s going to occupy a vast amount of space. As for the hotel, Ritz-Carlton will be 15 floors in the Internation Commerce Centre, to achieve the title of highest mall in the world, it really seems like HongKong is trying to get new tourists and make themselves even more well known. I really wonder how this mall will compare as compared to the Vaughan Mills mall in Toronto, or like Eatons, cause ambience of the mall can be it’s success or downfall.
When I travel in asian next year, hopefully I’ll make a side trip and check out the Elements Mall!
-AllaN
If it has to do with shopping I’m there!
[...] a peninsula not speaking Chinese but still able to communicate with our drivers – and got lost in a MALL. It’s my version of a nightmare come to life! Finally made good our escape (asked for [...]
[...] setting trends. Likely. But what they may soon be well-known for is shopping. Why? The newly opened Elements Mall located in Kowloon West, boasts the largest Mega-Mall in Hong [...]