Espalanade Shopping Mall; Bangkok, Thailand

This structure of organic contours and ample space was designed by the same Paris-based architects who conceived Bangkok’s famous Emporium and Siam Paragon. Within is a music academy, a 12-theatre Cineplex, and ice skating rink (the latter to be launched sometime in 2007). This new addition to the mall scene operates 100 000 square meters of retail space, and introduces the intriguing concept of ‘artetainment’. In addition, it features one of the most modern auditoriums in the city, and the Cineplex movie theatres have devised a nifty way to save paper; the ‘now showing’ screens are electronic instead of the traditional posters. Aside from all the usual eateries, cafes and fashionable lifestyle stores, there are also several health and wellness outlets, from post-natal slimming and shaping, to fitness, hair and nails. Project Zen Bodyworks has a spa menu to delight, and Chaho Matcha Teashop stocks Japanese green tea. And for some action, Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl combines karaoke and bowling for good clean fun.

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