Described as a ‘palace-like underground world’, the SKP Chengdu is designed to look like a park, with 33 crafted landscapes and scenic spots and only a few shops visible on the ground floor level. Some 99% of the mall is hidden underground. More than 75% of the buildings have 1.5 meters of soil above them to help accommodate and assist with vegetation, hence creating a giant tapestry of gardens — 3/4 km long, 1/3 km wide.
Masterminded by Sybarite, and in collaboration with a dozen of engineering specialists, the 500,000m2 complex covers five floors with spaces spanning 12 meters below ground, with more than 2,400 parking spaces. Multiple metro lines cross under SKP Chengdu, including line 18, direct to Tianfu International Airport. The retail and shopping space is divided into four areas: the luxury-filled Chengdu SKP; the younger-positioned and highly experiential Chengdu SKP-S; K Avenue, where major luxury flagships are located, and G Avenue, with some of the most in-demand restaurant brands. The avenues are 250 meters long each. The most notable landmark on the ground is a series of lantern-like towering water beacon sculptures on the south side of the complex, called ‘The Tower of Life.’
More than 1,300 brands are set to be in SKP Chengdu, and for more than 200 of them, the location will be their first store in Sichuan. All major luxury players are present. Gucci, Dior and Prada will open their third or fourth stores in the city here. Around a quarter of the tenants, including Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander, Moncler, Gentle Monster, Diesel, Marni, Tiffany & Co., and Boucheron, open for business by Tuesday. The rest, including Chanel, Hermès and Fendi, will open in the coming months.