Malls with a new dimension

With the popularity graph of malls and multiplexes soaring northwards in Punjab several new projects have been lined up by
different companies. However, the stress now seems to be on futuristic theme-based malls so that the footfalls do not ring hollow at the cash counters. The Punjabi jet set is going to be wooed by mega brands through these mega-buck projects with the developers claiming to add a new dimension to the shopping and entertainment profiles in ‘sada Punjab’.

Mr Anuj Malhan, director, M/s Spirit Global Constructions Pvt Ltd, the company that last month announced a Rs 2000-crore project of building 60 malls and multiplexes in Punjab, is keen to bring theme-based malls as “this is the most effective way of beating competition,” he says. “We plan to change the themes every four to five months to keep up the uniqueness and
customer interest,” he adds while disclosing that one project in Ludhiana would be based on a European city theme while the other one will have a 5-star hotel in it. All these 60 malls will be anchored by Pyramid, the largest theatre chain in the country.

The cities selected in the first phase of development include Ludhiana, Kapurthala, Muktsar, Patiala, Nawanshahr, Moga, Zirakpur, Hoshiarpur, Bathinda, Amritsar, Ropar, Mansa, Jalandhar, Ferozepore, Sangrur, Gurdaspur and Faridkot.

“Customer profile of each of these cities has been a major factor in the conceptualisation and designing of these malls,” said Mr Malhan.

The company has already launched its project, Global Mall, located on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar bypass. “This will be the first mall and multiplex to be situated on this stretch,” said Mr Malhan. The mall will have a hyper market, anchor store, 4-screen multiplex, night club on the rooftop along with shops, restaurants etc spread over an area of 2,30,000 sq ft and is expected to be completed by early 2008.

The company’s another mall and multiplex project on Ferozepore Road, Ludhiana, having a total built up area of over 7,50,000 sq ft, is expected to commence by December 2006. All 60 malls are proposed to be completed by 2010.

Making shopping affordable and exciting for everyone at these malls is the major USP of Malhan’s project.

On the other hand exclusivity is what another project in Ludhiana has to offer. “The malls have to do positioning and cater to niche segments in order to create footfalls and convert footfalls into revenues,” says Mr Ajay Nayar, director, FMI Developments. And this is the cornerstone of his Rs 100-crore project, Silver Arc, which is coming up on Ferozepore Road, Ludhiana. Set to be operational by end of 2007, this has brought the 100 per cent zoned mall concept to the industrial hub of Punjab, he tells, adding that each floor will have a special purpose.

The mall, designed by renowned architect Sanjay Puri from Mumbai, lays “special emphasis on positioning, visibility and circulation by providing a large atrium, and placing the department store at the back of the mall and the cinemas on top.”

PVR has planned a top-of-the-line six-screen multiplex for this development, which will include upmarket ‘Gold Class’.

Pantaloon will be situated on three floors over an area of 40,000 sq feet.

Giving details Mr Nayar said, “The total development of over 3,00,000 sq feet will have an optimum mix of national and international shopping, food leisure and entertainment. International and national brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Fcuk will be brought to Ludhiana for the first time and other brands like Nike, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, Woodland, Archies, Sensa, Lilliput, Lee Cooper, too, are going to set exclusive retail outlets in the mall. One floor will be completely dedicated to the top designers of the country, including Suneet Verma, Tarun Tahiliani, Kimaya, Rana Gill, Renu Tandon and Ashima-Leena, to name a few.”

It has placed international brands taken Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Fcuk, and French Connection on the ground floor while top Indian designers mentioned above would be on the second floor.

Multi-level parking for 500 cars is going to take care of the parking concerns of those visiting the malls.