tool001
05-18-2010, 07:40 AM
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/810797--asian-mall-set-to-be-largest-in-north-america?bn=1
Step aside Pacific Mall. A bigger and more upscale version is making its way to Markham.
The project, King Square, is striving to become North America’s largest Asian mall and will be nearly one million square feet when completed.
The monster mall will be built on a 4.8-hectare empty parcel of land on the northwest corner of Woodbine Ave. and Markland St. and will also include a banquet hall, convention centre, offices and a publicly accessible rooftop garden.
But at the heart of the project will be a mall, with over 1,000 mostly Asian and upscale shopping outlets as well as a grocery store.
“In terms of the square footage, yes, it will be the biggest mall,” said Dundas Kwok, director of sales and marketing for King Square.
Currently, Pacific Mall holds the title for being the largest Asian mall in the GTA. Last year, developers announced plans to revamp the adjacent Market Village to build another mammoth Asian-themed mall, hotel and condo tower.
Kwok says King Square will be different in that shopping will not be the only focus of the project, said Kwok.
“If it’s only a mall, we believe it’s not easy to survive for the individual retailer,” said Kwok. “It’s not like Asia, where there is a large population. During the week, business is very slow,” he said. “So our plan will be for mixed use.
“And our focus is not just the Asian market — we want to expand it to the mainstream market too,” he said.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti says King Square will be a place where the local community can meet.
“I think it will be a place where people will be able to come to enjoy the different cultures. And I think in a very high-end type of design,” said Scarpitti.
Kwok says local residents were informed of the plans during public meetings.
“We know there is always concern when you have a big development,” said Kwok. He says traffic woes should be appeased since all the parking will be underground.
The project received approval from the town last June, said Kwok. The final site plan has yet to get approval.
The goal is to begin construction on the first phase early next year.
good, more places to buy knock off stuff..
Step aside Pacific Mall. A bigger and more upscale version is making its way to Markham.
The project, King Square, is striving to become North America’s largest Asian mall and will be nearly one million square feet when completed.
The monster mall will be built on a 4.8-hectare empty parcel of land on the northwest corner of Woodbine Ave. and Markland St. and will also include a banquet hall, convention centre, offices and a publicly accessible rooftop garden.
But at the heart of the project will be a mall, with over 1,000 mostly Asian and upscale shopping outlets as well as a grocery store.
“In terms of the square footage, yes, it will be the biggest mall,” said Dundas Kwok, director of sales and marketing for King Square.
Currently, Pacific Mall holds the title for being the largest Asian mall in the GTA. Last year, developers announced plans to revamp the adjacent Market Village to build another mammoth Asian-themed mall, hotel and condo tower.
Kwok says King Square will be different in that shopping will not be the only focus of the project, said Kwok.
“If it’s only a mall, we believe it’s not easy to survive for the individual retailer,” said Kwok. “It’s not like Asia, where there is a large population. During the week, business is very slow,” he said. “So our plan will be for mixed use.
“And our focus is not just the Asian market — we want to expand it to the mainstream market too,” he said.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti says King Square will be a place where the local community can meet.
“I think it will be a place where people will be able to come to enjoy the different cultures. And I think in a very high-end type of design,” said Scarpitti.
Kwok says local residents were informed of the plans during public meetings.
“We know there is always concern when you have a big development,” said Kwok. He says traffic woes should be appeased since all the parking will be underground.
The project received approval from the town last June, said Kwok. The final site plan has yet to get approval.
The goal is to begin construction on the first phase early next year.
good, more places to buy knock off stuff..