Largest department store-world record set by
Shinsegae Centum City
BUSAN, Korea -- Shinsegae
Centum City, a shopping and entertainment complex
consistsing of two wings, which are connected on every level
to facilitate shopping, has a floor area of 509,810 sq. meters
(5,487,594.84 sq. ft.), setting the world record for the Largest
department store.
Photo: The 14-story east wing houses
a department store, restaurants, a gym, and a golf driving
range, whilst visitors will find spa facilities, an ice rink,
a multiplex cinema, and an art gallery in the 9-story west
wing. (enlarge
photo)
Shinsegae Centum City is part of a 12.6
million square-foot shopping and entertainment complex in
the coastal city of Busan, announces Callison,
the number one retail design firm in the world.
“Centum City is rapidly becoming the center
of Busan’s retail industry,” said Bill Lacey, Callison
Principal. “It offers something for everyone and has quickly
become a hub for the immediate community and surrounding area.”
The previous world record for the Largest
department store was held by Macy's Herald Square
flagship, with a department store measuring measuring 198,500
square meters (2,150,000 ft²) of selling floor.
Built on the former Busan airport site,
Shinsegae Centum City is comprised of 14 floors above ground
and four below ground. It cost 1.025 trillion won (USD 1.09
billion) to build.
Anchored by an eight-floor department store with
separate buildings including an office tower, the multi-facet
mixed-use center hosts a golf course, a movie theater, spa,
grocery store, bookstore, ice skating rink and driving range.
"The floors are all marble and there are
crystal chandeliers in the middle of the store as one goes
up or down the escalators.The first time I went there, I walked
around on the floor that sold the kitchen accessories and
bedding and I could not believe the number of people working
on just that floor. It was as if they had a worker for each
rack or shelf. It was a bit intimidating." ("An
American in Pusan" Blog)
The seven major luxury mall brands including
Chanel and Cartier plus 60 various brands of cosmetics and
clothes illustrate the high standards of this huge department
store.
Developed by one of South Korea’s leading developers
– Shinsegae – the lifestyle destination is the country’s largest
shopping center to date.
The name of Shinsegae literally means "New
World" in Korean.
At Centum
City not only can you enjoy shopping for luxury and
foreign brands, but there’s also almost every entertainment
facility you can imagine.
The complex is directly connected to
“Centum City Station” (Busan Subway Line #2) and a 10-minute
drive away from Haeundae Beach. So you can shop, sightsee
and relax at the beach all in the same day.