Lots of shopping malls have water features. But few compare, in size and potential drawing power, with WaterGarden, a giant mall that opened in the Atasehir district of Istanbul, Turkey, earlier this year.
This 165,000-sm (1.78-million-sf) complex, which focuses on gastronomy and entertainment, has 49,000 sm of leasable space for more than 150 independent retail units. But what really stands out is its 5,000-sm exterior “show pool” that is this project’s “visual and functional center,” according to its interior designer, Gorkem Volkan Design Studio (GVDS). T Concept was WaterGarden’s architect.
This is Europe’s largest show pool within what the complex’s developer, Ziylan Gayimenkul, calls a “living center.” The pool, which Germany-based OASE constructed, stages a variety of events and performances accompanied by a choreography of water, music, lasers, and fire. The pool is surrounded by the complex’s Gastronomy Center, which consists of restaurants, bistros, cafeterias and food court that feature unique foods and flavors from Turkish and world cuisines.
WaterGarden Istanbul includes a variety of eating places that offer Turkish and world cuisines. Image: Courtesy Gorkem Volkan Design Studio
There’s a “Nostalgia Street,” which offers brands of food and drink from throughout Turkey that have been around for more than 50 years. An Organic Market sells fresh produce, and is designed to connect to the mall’s botanical garden.
The complex has 15,000 sm of open space that encompasses City Park, designed by DS Architecture, with a rope track, an adventure park, a skate park, and children’s park. WaterGarden Istanbul also includes an 11-screen cinema, an “event arena” with a 4,000-person capacity, a theater hall, a school of culinary arts, a sports center, and children’s playground and crèche.
Real Estate News Turkey reported last year that WaterGarden Istanbul is targeting 15 million visitors per year, and expects to contribute the equivalent of $300 million to Turkey’s economy annually. The complex is located next to the International Finance Center, and is drawing customers from a primary market with more than 1 million residents.
Related Stories
Retail Centers | Apr 2, 2019
Brick-and-mortar retail is not dead—here’s proof
We continually hear that “retail is dying,” but there are many foundational retail types essential to consumers—here’s a look at 3 of them.
Retail Centers | Mar 19, 2019
Porsche’s next-gen showroom prototype opens in Palm Springs, Ca.
The dealership is the first to showcase Porsche’s new design philosophy, ‘Destination Porsche.’
Retail Centers | Dec 3, 2018
Biotrack your shop
Sabrina Hilfer, a specialty retail designer, talks about the integration of biometrics in the retailscape.
Retail Centers | Nov 8, 2018
The Container Store moves into the next generation courtesy FRCH Design Worldwide
The next-gen prototype is located in Dallas, Texas.
Retail Centers | Oct 22, 2018
Stuck in the middle: What can save the average American mall?
Erich Dohrer doesn’t want to talk about the “dead mall” or the great mall success story—he wants to talk about design solutions for the ones that are just getting by.
Retail Centers | Oct 9, 2018
Kengo Kuma designs Taipei Starbucks from 29 shipping containers
The store will be part of a new shopping mall.
Retail Centers | Sep 27, 2018
Turkish bazaar takes the shape of the surrounding mountains
The project is designed by PDG Architects and ANTEPE.
Retail Centers | Sep 26, 2018
The future of travel retail
Kevin Horn and Shirley Cheng explore how a new generation of travelers is disrupting airport retail.
Retail Centers | Sep 20, 2018
BIG designs ‘restaurant village’ just outside of Copenhagen
The restaurant comprises 11 spaces, each with their own unique function.
Retail Centers | Sep 17, 2018
Iteration vs disruption: Designing for a great customer experience
One way to solve for the future is to disrupt the expected.
