Today, shopping is no longer just an activity where needs are met, but has become a pleasant experience with the construction of shopping malls. Shopping malls gather a large number of stores under one roof, providing customers with a convenient and comfortable shopping experience. Having become the center of not only shopping but also socialization and entertainment, shopping malls have become indispensable parts of modern cities.
History of the shopping mall
The roots of shopping malls can be traced back to ancient markets where people would purchase goods from farmers, artisans, and merchants. These ancient markets served as places where people could meet their basic needs. With the emergence of covered bazaars in the Middle Ages, the concept of commercial and social centers developed.
The first fully enclosed shopping mall was the Southdale Center, designed by Victor Gruen in Minnesota in 1956. The opening of Southdale Center attracted great attention and accelerated the opening of new shopping malls. Thanks to Southdale Center, shopping malls ceased to be places for shopping only for needs and became living centers where users could socialize.
Over the years, shopping malls have been constructed on a large scale in different cities around the world. These massive complexes, located worldwide, cater to a wide range of human needs, from shopping and entertainment to luxury and daily life. Today, shopping malls, which are still being built at a rapid pace, meet people’s socialization needs and continue to be structures that transform city skylines with their distinctive architecture.
Here are the 10 biggest shopping malls in the world:
1- Iran Mall
Year: 2018
Area: 1950.000 m²
Location: Tehran, Iran
The world’s biggest shopping mall, Iran Mall, is located near Lake Chitgar in Tehran. As a modern interpretation of Iranian Islamic architecture, Iran Mall features domes, arches, and traditional ornaments. Reflecting Iran’s rich cultural heritage while simultaneously catering to modern needs, the mall serves a wide range of activities,s including art, culture, sports, and tourism. This five-year project allocates 18% to cultural facilities, 31% to public and recreational areas, 24% to commercial spaces, 19% to parking, and 5% to a hotel. In addition to various stores, Iran Mall boasts Iran’s most advanced cinema, an ice hockey rink, one of the world’s most sophisticated musical fountains, a modern concert hall, a library, and a collection of restaurants and cafes.
The construction of a luxury hotel and international congress center is also ongoing. Offering users a pleasant shopping opportunity with its large and spacious spaces, Iran Mall has a more lively and bright atmosphere with the large windows and glass ceilings used for natural lighting of the interior. This massive shopping mall, which emerged by blending traditional Iranian architecture with modern architecture, offers a rich experience in terms of both architecture and the opportunities it offers and is an important factor in Iran’s economic growth and development.
2- Dubai Mall
Year: 2008
Area: 1200.000 m²
Location: Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Designed by DP Architects, Dubai Mall is the world’s second biggest shopping mall. Dubai Mall, considered a center of tourism and prestige, is a four-story shopping mall located next to the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa. Aiming to create the pinnacle of modernity and luxury, this massive shopping center houses one of the world’s largest aquariums, the largest candy store in the world, an ice skating rink, a huge indoor theme park called SEGA Republic, a 5-star luxury hotel, 22 cinemas, a chain of restaurants and cafes, and over 1,200 stores. Additionally, this grand mall is home to the Dubai Fountain, the world’s largest choreographed fountain system.
The facade, adorned with patterns of endless constellations, is inspired by the rich motifs of Arab culture. The interior, adorned with luxurious materials such as marble, mosaic, and crystal, offers visitors a visual feast. This structure, where modern design, luxury, and cultural diversity converge, is divided into eight distinct zones and designed with nodes, internal streets, and facades for better readability.
3- The Avenues Mall
Year: 2007
Area: 1200.000 m²
Location: Kuwait, Kuwait
The Avenues Mall in Kuwait is one of the biggest shopping malls in the Middle East. Standing out with its modern architecture, the mall also incorporates traditional Arab architecture, creating a traditional atmosphere while maintaining a modern appearance. Awarded the ICSC Gold Award in the “Best Shopping Center 2013” category for the Middle East and North Africa Expansion and Design, Avenue Mall comprises 12 distinct zones inspired by both modern and classic engineering styles:
The Avenues, 1st Avenue, 2nd Avenue, Prestige, Grand Avenue, SoKu, The Mall, The Souk, The Arcades, Grand Plaza, Electra, The Forum, and The Gardens. With its magnificent architecture and rich facilities, this massive structure has over 1,100 stores and a large multi-story car park with a capacity of 13,000 vehicles.
3- IOI City Mall
Year: 2014
Area: 820,887 m²
Location: Putrajaya, Malaysia
With the opening of its second phase in 2022, IOI City shopping mall has become the biggest shopping mall in Malaysia and the 4th biggest in the world. This massive shopping mall, which tries to reflect Malaysia’s tropical nature and cultural richness with details such as green areas and the use of water elements, has an Olympic ice rink, an indoor adventure park called District 21, a 13-screen movie theater, and an education and entertainment exhibition area called IOI City Farm, in addition to more than 650 stores.
Additionally, the mall is home to the IOI Sports Center, which features 15 badminton courts and two indoor futsal arenas. Offering a spacious and refreshing environment for visitors with its wide and open indoor spaces, IOI City Mall combines sports, culture, and entertainment.
5- New South China Mall
Year:2005
Area: 659.612 m²
Location: Dongguan, China
The New South China Mall, which was the biggest shopping mall when it was opened and the 5th biggest today, is located in Dongguan, China. This huge shopping mall has thematic sections that include iconic structures such as Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Venice, Egypt, the Caribbean, and California on a miniature scale. The shopping mall, which is a spectacular structure, includes a roller coaster, gondola rides, a marine mammal park, and an IMAX-style cinema.
Despite its architectural ambition, the mall has failed to achieve the expected success due to the relatively low-income levels of the local population, earning it the nickname “Ghost Mall” after being vacant for 10 years.
6- SM Mall of Asia
Year: 2006
Area: 590.299 m²
Location: Manila, Philippines
Known as the biggest and most popular shopping mall in the Philippines, SM Mall of Asia consists of 4 masses connected by walkways. Located near Manila Bay, the mall offers stunning sea views and is a prime example of the fusion of functionality and aesthetics. With over 3,500 stores, an IMAX cinema, state-of-the-art restaurants, an ice skating rink, five hotels, and the Galeon Museum showcasing a collection of artifacts from around the world, including ship models, the mall is a multi-functional destination.
Offering easy navigation with its spacious indoor and outdoor areas, SM Mall of Asia also features a 20-seater tram that takes shoppers on a tour of the mall. SM Mall of Asia is an important shopping and living center for the Philippines, with its architecture and functionality.
7- Golden Resources Mall
Year: 2004
Area: 557,419 m²
Location: Beijing, China
Golden Resources Mall, also known as the “Great Mall of China”, is the 7th biggest shopping mall in the world located in Beijing, China. A prime example of engineering and consumerism, the mall spans six floors and features a grand entrance approximately 63 meters high. This massive shopping mall offers various services such as an ice skating rink, a restaurant area the size of two football fields, a gym, a cinema complex, and a musical fountain in addition to its more than 750 stores.
Golden Resources Mall, which goes beyond being a shopping mall and is a living center, offers a pleasant and functional shopping opportunity for visitors with its wide corridors and good natural light. While showcasing modern architectural features, the mall’s facade and interior also incorporate Chinese motifs, reflecting both its international identity and local heritage.
8- Utama Petaling Jaya Mall
Year: 1995
Area: 520.000 m²
Location: Selangor, Malaysia
One of Malaysia’s biggest shopping malls, Utama Petaling Jaya, has undergone several expansions since its opening. The mall is divided into distinct zones dedicated to shopping, entertainment, sports, and more. In addition to over 750 stores, Utama Petaling Jaya boasts an indoor rock climbing gym, a rooftop tropical rainforest, Southeast Asia’s largest rooftop garden known as the Secret Garden, cinemas, and a karaoke center. Allowing ample natural light, this massive structure impresses with its spacious open areas and aesthetic design.
9- West Edmonton Mall
Year: 1998
Area: 492.375m²
Location: Alberta, Canada
The biggest shopping mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall, holds the title of being the 8th largest shopping mall in the world. West Edmonton Mall, which exhibits the standard architectural style for shopping malls of the period it was built, was founded by the Iranian Ghermezian brothers and designed by Maurice Sunderland.
Entirely built of steel, the mall’s open glass dome roof is supported by curved steel roof trusses. Constructed in three phases, this massive living space houses retail stores, Galaxyland, a water park, an NHL-sized ice rink, a miniature golf course, and restaurants. Additionally, West Edmonton Mall offers visitors themed areas where they can experience different cultures and nature.
10- Central World
Year: 1989
Area: 429.500 m²
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Central World, one of the biggest shopping malls in the world, is a major retail and entertainment center located in Bangkok, Thailand. The building, which was damaged by fire, has undergone several expansions, making it one of the biggest shopping malls in South Asia. Standing at an average height of seven stories, this massive structure features wide and deep foundation slabs. Thematically organized floors provide visitors with diverse experiences. Serving as a hub for social and cultural activities, the mall houses over 500 stores, more than 100 restaurants, an ice skating rink, a children’s area, and a learning center.
Central World, featuring a modern design, boasts giant LED screens approximately 180 meters long on its vibrant glass façade. Another striking feature of the shopping mall is the sky bridge that connects the shopping mall to the surrounding buildings.
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