Following the launches of Funan and Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore earlier this year, CapitaLand has opened Raffles City Chongqing in China.
The first component in the 1.12 million sq m megastructure to welcome the public was the 235,000 sq m shopping mall, which launched on 6 September 2019, Friday, with a 95% committed occupancy.
About 40% of the over 400 international and local brands are new-to-market brands, flagships or new concepts. The largest mall to open in Chongqing this year and the latest must-visit destination in the bustling metropolis, Raffles City Chongqing registered shopper traffic of over 900,000 during its opening weekend.
Raffles City Chongqing is located in Chaotianmen, a historic site referred that offers magnificent views of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers converging. It is Singapore’s and CapitaLand’s single largest development in China at S$4.8 billion. In addition to the retail podium, the integrated development comprises Ascott Raffles City Chongqing serviced residence, InterContinental Raffles City Chongqing hotel, Grade A office space and luxury apartments housed within eight skyscrapers.
Lucas Loh, President, China, CapitaLand Group, said: “The opening of Raffles City Chongqing marks a new milestone in CapitaLand’s contribution towards and benefitting from China’s urbanisation push. As the ninth Raffles City development to turn operational, it is by far our largest and most complex integrated development. Seven years in the making, Raffles City Chongqing is a megastructure that melds astounding architectural design with sustainable urban planning.
“The development was purposefully built to spearhead the renewal of the Chaotianmen riverfront district with world-class live-work-play amenities and improved accessibility. We are confident that Raffles City Chongqing will catalyse new opportunities to fulfil Chongqing’s global city aspirations.”
RPA Perspective Chin Phei Chen, Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Management, China, CapitaLand, said: “As the representation of CapitaLand’s new-gen malls in China, Raffles City Chongqing combines experiential retail concepts with digitalisation to excite and engage shoppers. Value-added services such as augmented reality navigation, restaurant booking and carpark reservation are supported by the CapitaStar app. In addition to curating an attractive tenant mix, we have also created public spaces with regular art and heritage showcases for the public to enjoy, learn and discover.”
Raffles City Chongqing features about 40 local names. Shoppers are greeted by authentic local experiences at the first level of the mall, with a Yangtze River zone designated as a local cuisine and dining cluster, and a Jialing River zone for local gifts and memorabilia. Tickets to the viewing gallery at The Crystal, Raffles City Chongqing’s much anticipated 250-metre high sky bridge, will also be available for purchase at the first level when it opens in 1H 2020.
International brands making their first foray, opening flagship or new concept stores at Raffles City Chongqing include C&A, Old Navy, GAP and UGG. These names complement other international favourites such as CASA BIJOUX, DKNY, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Salvatore Ferragamo, Lego and Alienware.
F&B brands marking their debut in Chongqing include Haidilao hotpot, TWG Tea and Spacelab, an “internet celebrity” restaurant that uses spiral slides to serve food to its customers. Experiential retail and lifestyle brands include online-to-offline retail store Jiwu by Suning, e-sports operator CLSA and Whyte Woolf Fitness Club. Anchor tenants at the mall include leading movie theatre chain CGV, electric vehicle company NIO’s showroom-cum-clubhouse, bookstore chain Yanjiyou, and gourmet supermarket Ole’.
The interior of the mall has been designed to enhance shoppers’ comfort and well-being. In addition to providing personalised guest relations, the mall also features family-centric amenities including a 300 sq m nursing room with panoramic river views. A specially concocted signature scent welcomes shoppers upon entering the mall, immersing them in a multisensory experience.
Located at one of Chongqing’s top attraction sites, the shopping mall features a 24-hour pathway connecting the Jiefangbei pedestrian street with Chaotianmen Square.
