When a shopping trip becomes an adventure – our selection of the best shopping centres offers stunning architecture, a welcoming atmosphere and entertainment.
5. HarrodsLondon
Harrods in London was originally founded in 1849 as a grocery store. Today, the department store ranks among the world’s most famous shopping destinations. Located south of Hyde Park in the Knightsbridge district, it provides a grand setting for all the renowned luxury brands, a beauty salon, restaurants and various delicatessens to showcase their offerings and goods. The current Beaux-Arts-style building was designed by architect Charles William Stephens and constructed between 1901 and 1905 – including London’s first electric escalator. The terracotta façade with its elaborate stucco work and a high-quality interior featuring marble floors and ceiling frescoes epitomise wealth and luxury – an exclusive shopping experience.
4. MyZeilFrankfurt
With a total floor area of 77,000 m², MyZeil in the city centre of Frankfurt am Main may be comparatively small, but its architecture in particular makes the shopping centre a truly special shopping destination. With his design comprising some 3,200 triangular glass elements, Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas seems to draw passers-by right into the mall. The structural engineering for the steel and glass structure was carried out by the engineering firm Knippers Helbig. Sustainability was also a key consideration in the 2008 plans. Rainwater is collected from the approximately 6,000 m² roof and used as service water. All in all, the six-storey MyZeil, with its nearly 100 shops, numerous restaurants, a fitness centre and a multi-storey car park right in the heart of Frankfurt, leaves nothing to be desired.
3. Galéries LafayetteParis
The French department store chain Galeries Lafayette has 65 branches worldwide. Its flagship store in Paris is a veritable palace. The Art Nouveau gallery hall, with its imposing, stained-glass dome, opened on 8 October 1912. The building complex, constructed using a reinforced concrete skeleton structure, now covers a retail area of 68,000 m² and houses six restaurants. According to official figures, around 60,000 people visit this exquisite shopping palace every day. For those on a tighter budget, affordable trinkets and souvenirs can be found here alongside luxury brands and designer boutiques. A stroll beneath the huge glass dome through the opulent galleries is free – and certainly not to be missed.
2. ASE Mall BaoshanShanghai
The ASE Mall Baoshan in Shanghai covers 175,000 m² and opened in December 2021. The four above-ground floors are arranged in nine blocks, creating a spacious atrium. The atrium, along with all the public interior spaces and the shopping centre’s façade, were designed by Chapman Taylor. The design, which stands out above all for the interplay of light created by the large-scale LED lighting, is intended to capture “the vibrancy and energy of traditional, long-established Asian business environments”, according to Chapman Taylor. With its experience-oriented shopping and leisure offerings, the ASE Mall Baoshan is a modern shopping destination for every audience. The interplay of light on the façade, which changes with the seasons, and a well-thought-out interior design make a shopping trip here a truly special experience.
1. EmporiaMalmö
Our number one is located in Malmö, Sweden: Emporia, designed by architect Gert Wingårdh of Wingårdh Arkitektkontor, opened in 2012. The building received BREEAM environmental certification for sustainable building design and won first prize for the best shopping centre at the 2013 World Architecture Festival. Spanning a total area of 93,000 m², it houses more than 200 shops. The publicly accessible, green roof area – including a roof terrace – is particularly impressive; at 27,000 m², it is almost as large as four football pitches. With its curved forms, the façade mirrors the organic interior design. Colour-themed areas inside – such as Sea, Forest and Amber – make it easier to find your way around and are designed to enhance well-being. The building’s specially created sound design and various soundscapes, developed by the Radja Sound Design Agency, also contribute to a greater sense of comfort. This makes the Swedish Emporia our clear number one in terms of architecture, atmosphere and sustainability.
Shopping centrespowered by PORR
As one of Europe’s leading construction companies, PORR is naturally also a specialist when it comes to the design and construction of shopping centres. You can find all the relevant information, contact details and references here.
