China’s appetite for shopping seems insatiable. Come 2014, the cash registers will be ringing in the southern city of Sanya as work is completed on phase 1 of the world’s largest duty-free shopping centre. Phase 1 alone will be the size of 17 football fields.

Situated on Hainan Island, Sanya is China’s first international tax-free tourism destination. It allows domestic Chinese visitors to claim tax refunds on imported luxury items.

In late 2010, an ‘International Duty Free Town’ strategic cooperation framework agreement was signed by CITS Group and the Haitang Bay management committee.

Now, CITS (Beijing) Investment Development Company Limited and CDF (Group) Company Limited are developing the Haitang Bay International Shopping Centre, which has a total investment figure of 3.45 billion RMB.

HASSELL is designing the mall’s interior, taking inspiration from the natural scenery of Sanya.

The project will be developed in three phases. Phase 1 is principally an international shopping centre with a GFA of 120,000sqm. 80% of the area will be occupied by duty-free stores while the remaining area will be used for duty-charging commodities and supporting F&B.

Phase 2 will focus on the lake islet to build large F&B, cultural and entertainment facilities. Phase 3 will include customised luxury products centres and museums.

HASSELL’s design divides the shopping centre into five areas. The design of each area is inspired by a particular natural theme: the ocean, the crabapple, flowers, fruits and nature. The idea is that the customer will feel the vitality of the ocean, the freshness of flowers, and the sweetness of fruits while shopping.

In the near future, says HASSELL, about 30 hotels will be built in the coastal area of Haitang Bay with the Haitang Bay International Shopping Centre as its centre. The Sanya government has listed Sanya Haitang Bay International Shopping Centre and the 301 Hospital as the two most important development projects in Sanya.

HASSELL

hassellstudio.com