Despite its massive size and ambitious design, it has garnered attention for being a “ghost mall” (Image: NA)
A massive shopping centre, built at a whopping cost of £1.06 billion, was nearly abandoned after being constructed in the wrong city.
The New South China Mall, located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China, is one of the largest shopping malls in the world in terms of gross leasable area.
Despite its massive size and ambitious design, it has garnered attention for being a “ghost mall” for much of its history due to low occupancy rates.
Opened in 2005, the shopping centre spanned over 6.46 million square feet of gross floor area, with approximately 4.84 million square feet of leasable space.
It was developed by Hu Guirong, a billionaire who made his fortune in the instant noodle industry, and was designed to attract both local shoppers and international visitors.
The New South China Mall, is located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China (Image: NA)
The huge building was designed to host more than 2,300 stores. But fate had something else in mind.
With authorities hoping to attract 100,000 visitors a day with a host of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, the actual numbers were actually far away from expectations.
However, for a decade, less than 10% of the mall was occupied. In the year 2011, that number plummeted to less than one percent.
The primary mistake during construction was reportedly the choice of location. Built on former farmland in the Wanjiang District, 34 miles from Dongguan city center, the site lacks direct transport connections.
The surrounding area is predominantly inhabited by migrant workers with lower incomes, making the mall’s high-priced offerings largely unaffordable for the local population.
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In recent years, efforts have been made to revitalize the New South China Mall.
The shopping centre shifted its focus to cater to local tastes, with a greater emphasis on affordable retail, dining, and entertainment options.
Recent reports suggest a significant improvement in occupancy rates, with parts of the mall bustling with activity, including popular fast-food chains, local brands, and attractions like cinemas and play areas.
In an interview with CNN, Ms Shu, head of New South China Mall’s marketing unit, said that following the refurbishment, they anticipate “almost full occupancy rate and no empty shops”.