Shenzhen's next big mall to open by high-speed rail

Like women always feel there’s a new piece missing from their wardrobe, Chinese metropolises are always looking to build their next mall.A computer-generated image of MixC Longhua upon completion. Photos from acme's official website

From Coco Park to Upper Hills, Shenzhen’s posh shopping malls are urban dwellers’ go-to leisure destinations for their wide-open spaces, futuristic designs, and popping new brands to discover — not just in retail, but also in food, drinks, and entertainment.

Now, a newcomer is on the horizon.

The next major retail development by China Resources Land and Shenzhen Metro is scheduled to open in 2027. Tentatively named "MixC Longhua," this new addition to the existing MixC malls in town will be connected to Shenzhen North Railway Station and the Metro station on three existing lines (and counting) via underground corridors. It will also offer over 2,000 parking spaces.

A view from the new mall under construction.

With the major architecture and interiors designed by U.K.-based firm acme, and Ma Yansong's MAD Architects responsible for an exhibition hall and a 160,000-square-meter urban park surrounding the project, the complex integrates retail, office, and residential apartments, enhancing its appeal as a transit-oriented development (TOD).

According to an introduction on acme's official website, the design draws inspiration from natural topography and introduces nature into the urban fabric, extending green space in three directions through a stepped landscape. Large, boulder-like forms are displaced to carve out atriums and circulation spaces, while tactile materials such as pebbledash, lime plaster, and stone create a grounded interior experience.

The interior of the mall under construction.

Longhua’s demographic profile includes a young, affluent workforce, with median household incomes supporting mid-to-upper tier retail. The expected tenant mix will likely mirror the MixC brand’s focus on international luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci, alongside mid-range options like Uniqlo and Zara, complemented by diverse dining outlets, entertainment venues, and experiential retail to attract families and young professionals.

The new mall reportedly plans to introduce over 380 brands, including a supermarket, beauty outlets, fashion retailers, and a wide array of dining options. The upper levels will feature entertainment facilities such as cinemas and KTVs.

The construction site of MixC Longhua viewed from afar.

Promising a quick and fuss-free shopping spree for those taking the high-speed rail from Hong Kong and other parts of the Greater Bay Area, MixC Longhua is expected to create a lot of buzz when it opens in 2027.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong too is eyeing a grand opening for a new mall that year. Yes, we’re talking about the 1.6 million-square-foot Central Yards.

Ma Yansong's MAD Architects will be responsible for a 160,000-square-meter urban park surrounding the project.