Mall of Asia, Megamall and SM North in the Philippines made it to the World’s 10 Largest Shopping Malls

Henry Sy, a Filipino-Chinese business tycoon, has three of his properties named in Forbes’ Ten Largest Shopping Malls in the World. Although he has yet to create a shopping galaxy that could boot out China’s 7.1 million square feet giant from the number one spot, the fact is that those three malls can accummulate a whopping 10.8 million square feet of land area when combined - and not to forget that he still has other SM malls in Bacoor, Molino, Las Piñas, Bicutan, etc. Suffice it to note, the 349th richest man in the world has more than enough resources to build a castle in the sky. Heck! He was able to build a shopping mall on a body of water (check out the Mall of Asia:) So watch out world!

10 LARGEST SHOPPING MALLS IN THE WORLD

1. South China Mall

Location: Dongguan, China Year Opened: 2005 Gross Leasable Area: 7.1 million square feet In the Chinese mall arms race, this facility opened a year after the Golden Resources Mall to displace it as the country’s and the world’s largest. The space includes wind mills and theme parks, plus a replica of the Arc de Triomphe.

2. Golden Resources Shopping Mall

Location: Beijing, China Year Opened: 2004 Gross Leasable Area: 6 million square feet Not sprawling, this is a stacked-up five-story mall. Approximately 1,000 stores, selling plenty of familiar global brands like Nike and DKNY. A truly ambitious real estate project, with new apartments and offices, surround the mall. A tough location outside the heart of the city has resulted in disappointing traffic from foreign tourists.

3. SM Mall of Asia

Location: Pasay City, Philippines Year Opened: 2006 Gross Leasable Area: 4.2 million square feet Includes the first Olympic-sized swimming pool and first IMAX theater in the Philippines. Spread over four buildings, customers can get around on a 20-seat tram.

4. Cevahir Istanbul

Location: Istanbul, Turkey Year Opened: 2005 Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet Europe’s largest shopping mall has a roller coaster, wave pool and several IMAX theaters.

5. West Edmonton Mall

Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Year Opened: 1981 Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet The biggest in North America, the West Edmonton Mall has over 800 stores, along with attractions like a water park, skating rink, casino and rides.

6. SM Megamall

Location: Mandaluyong City, Philippines Year Opened: 1991 Gross Leasable Area: 3.6 million square feet Fun stuff includes bowling, ice skating and a 12-cinema movie theater, along with traditional mall fare like arcade games. Customers can also get a haircut or see a doctor at the Manila clinic.

7. Berjaya Times Square

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Year Opened: 2005 Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet Built with an adjacent hotel and convention center. In addition to over 1,000 retail shops, the mall includes a 12-story-high roller coaster, plus a pool, skating rink and “Cosmo’s World,” a children’s theme park.

8. Beijing Mall

Location: Beijing, China Year Opened: 2005 Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet The first real suburban mall in China, located about an hour from downtown Beijing, this center has four levels with parking for 8,000 cars, plus a man-made beach. Bootlegged DVDs of American movies are a top seller.

9. Zhengjia Plaza

Location: Guangzhou, China Year Opened: 2005 Gross Leasable Area: 3 million square feet Has been known to attract over half a million shoppers on a good day. Another mixed-use space, the mall has a hotel and office tower in addition to retail stores.

10. SM City North Edsa

Location: Quezon City, Philippines Year Opened: 1985 Gross Leasable Area: 3 million square feet The first major “mega mall” built by SM Prime Holdings, which now claims three of the largest 10 in the world. It’s a five-story complex that boasts over 100 retail outlets and restaurants, along with 12 cinemas, a bowling alley and skating rink. An IMAX theater could be added soon.