Top 10 Biggest Malls in The World

Shopping malls have become an integral part of our lifestyle. It is normal to see a mall full of visitors and customers. We see new shopping malls appearing in every corner of the planet. They all become unavoidable destinations for serious shoppers, both shopkeepers and tourists. What makes them the best? How can we qualify them? I took the liberty of classifying them according to their area, the top 10 shopping malls in 2010, and what I found was incredible! China is the destination of four shopping centers on the list and why not, for a country that is making great strides to be known as the largest luxury goods market in the world, this was bound to be.

1) South China Mall – China

The South China Shopping Center is at the top of the list, of course. Although it was founded recently (in 2005), the mall has 6.46 million square meters of gross leasable floor space, and most of the commercial space remains vacant. The South China Shopping Center has seven separate areas designed according to international cities, states and regions, such as, Paris, Rome, Venice, Egypt, the Caribbean California and Amsterdam.

2) Golden Resources Mall – China

The second runner up also comes from China – the Golden Resources Mall, also known as the “Great Mall of China”. With over 6 million square meters of gross leasable floor space, the shopping center houses 230 escalators, an ice rink, over 1,000 stores and huge restaurant spaces.

3) The Dubai Mall – Dubai

This wonder in the Middle East is promoted as the largest according to its total area, a huge 12.1 million square meters. However, only 6 million square meters of gross leasable area. The shopping center houses a skating rink, a water world and a golden souk. It is known to have set a record in 2008 with the opening of 600 stores.

4) West Edmonton Mall – Canada

Located in Canada, this former world’s largest shopping mall is the largest in North America. It held the title of the world’s largest for two decades, from 1981 to 2004, with a gross lettable area of 3.77 million square meters.

5) Istanbul Cevahir – Turkey

The Cevahir in Istanbul is considered the largest shopping center in Europe. Located in Istanbul, Turkey, it has 343 stores, about 50 restaurants, 12 cinemas, including a private theater, a bowling alley, a roller coaster and a glass roof with the second largest clock in the world under one roof. It is the fifth largest, with 3.47 million square meters of gross leasable area.

6) Berjaya Times Square – Malaysia

This twin-towered complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, houses a shopping center and two five-star hotels. The 48-story building is 666 feet tall and includes the largest indoor theme park in Asia – Cosmo’s World, and Malaysia’s first 2D and 3D IMAX theater. Berjaya Times Square is listed with a gross leasable area of 3.44 million square meters.

7) Beijing Mall – China

This shopping center has not only become the 10 largest in the world, but also has space in the 10 most luxurious shopping malls in Beijing with a gross lettable area of 3.4 million square meters.

8) Eastwood Mall – USA

Located in Ohia, Eastwood Mall is one of the largest and most diverse shopping malls, which opened its doors more than forty years ago. Including a 6,300-seat stadium, exhibition center, hotels and theaters, Eastwood Mall is one of the largest in the United States. Its gross lettable area is 3.2 million square meters.

9) Grandview Mall – China

With an ice rink, an amusement park, a five-star cinema, fashionable stores and beautiful music venues, the Grandview Shopping Center in Guangzhou, China, has entered the top ten with a gross lettable area of 3 million square meters.

10) King of Prussia Mall – USA

Last but not least, there is the King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia, USA, which opened its doors in 1963, almost five decades ago, when shopping malls were only for the cheapest. It is a popular tourist attraction in Philadelphia and tourists make up 20% of the mall’s shoppers. It has a gross lettable area of 2.79 million square meters.