Shopping malls have evolved far beyond retail. Today’s mega malls operate as self-contained cities, combining shops, amusement parks, ice rinks, theaters, and even hotels under one roof. Built to serve millions of visitors annually, these complexes stretch over millions of square feet.
We have enlisted the malls here seeing their gross leasable area, total revenue-generating area, and some other factors. Have a look and pick the malls you are willing to visit for sure.
Biggest Malls in the world
| Rank | Mall Name | Location | Total Area (sq ft) | Leasable Area (sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran Mall | Tehran, Iran | 21,000,000 | 3,200,000 |
| 2 | South China Mall | Dongguan, China | 18,000,000 | 7,100,000 |
| 3 | SM Mall of Asia | Pasay, Philippines | 13,000,000 | 4,300,000 |
| 4 | Dubai Mall | Dubai, UAE | 12,100,000 | 5,900,000 |
| 5 | CentralWorld | Bangkok, Thailand | 11,900,000 | 4,600,000 |
| 6 | ICONSIAM | Bangkok, Thailand | 11,000,000 | 5,600,000 |
| 7 | Isfahan City Center | Isfahan, Iran | 7,500,000 | 1,500,000 |
| 8 | Berjaya Times Square | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 7,500,000 | 3,400,000 |
| 9 | Siam Paragon | Bangkok, Thailand | 6,600,000 | 2,700,000 |
| 10 | 1 Utama | Selangor, Malaysia | 6,500,000 | 5,000,000 |
| 11 | West Edmonton Mall | Alberta, Canada | 5,300,000 | 3,800,000 |
| 12 | Golden Resources Mall | Beijing, China | 6,000,000 | 5,500,000 |
| 13 | New South China Mall | Dongguan, China | 5,500,000 | 2,000,000 |
| 14 | Dubai Festival City Mall | Dubai, UAE | 5,200,000 | 2,000,000 |
| 15 | CentralPlaza WestGate | Nonthaburi, Thailand | 5,100,000 | 3,200,000 |
| 16 | Dubai Hills Mall | Dubai, UAE | 5,000,000 | 2,500,000 |
| 17 | Mall of America | Minnesota, USA | 5,600,000 | 2,800,000 |
| 18 | Mega Bangna | Bangkok, Thailand | 4,300,000 | 2,500,000 |
| 19 | Sunway Pyramid | Selangor, Malaysia | 4,200,000 | 2,000,000 |
| 20 | The Avenues | Kuwait City, Kuwait | 4,100,000 | 2,500,000 |
1. Iran Mall – Tehran, Iran
- Total Area: 21 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 3.2 million sq ft
The Iran Mall stands as the largest shopping complex ever constructed. Beyond luxury boutiques and global brands, it houses a library, museum, art gallery, and a sports complex. Its design integrates Persian architecture with modern engineering, aiming to be both a cultural and commercial center.
2. South China Mall – Dongguan, China
- Total Area: 18 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 7.1 million sq ft
Originally underused, the South China Mall underwent a major revitalization. Now fully operational, it features themed zones modeled after global cities, a massive indoor roller coaster, and over 1,500 retail stores.
3. SM Mall of Asia – Pasay, Philippines
- Total Area: 13 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 4.3 million sq ft
SM Mall of Asia includes an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, IMAX theater, science center, and an outdoor music hall. Its strategic location near Manila Bay boosts its popularity among tourists and locals.
4. Dubai Mall – Dubai, UAE
- Total Area: 12.1 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 5.9 million sq ft
Built near the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall houses over 1,200 retail outlets and the Dubai Aquarium. With its blend of entertainment and luxury, it ranks among the most visited destinations worldwide.
5. CentralWorld – Bangkok, Thailand
- Total Area: 11.9 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 4.6 million sq ft
CentralWorld blends retail, offices, and hotels in one vast footprint. It serves as a commercial hub in Bangkok, hosting major concerts, New Year celebrations, and brand launches.
6. ICONSIAM – Bangkok, Thailand
- Total Area: 11 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 5.6 million sq ft
ICONSIAM delivers an upscale shopping experience along the Chao Phraya River. It includes two luxury residential towers and SookSiam, a market-style cultural space.
7. Isfahan City Center – Isfahan, Iran
- Total Area: 7.5 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 1.5 million sq ft
Combining shopping, entertainment, and hospitality, Isfahan City Center features a museum, a 5-star hotel, and the largest indoor amusement park in the country.
8. Berjaya Times Square – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Total Area: 7.5 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million sq ft
With its indoor theme park, hotel, and over 1,000 shops, Berjaya Times Square continues to be a major attraction in Malaysia. Its twin towers are a landmark in the city skyline.
9. Siam Paragon – Bangkok, Thailand
- Total Area: 6.6 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 2.7 million sq ft
Siam Paragon features Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium, a luxury car showroom, and gourmet food courts. It’s a premier destination for high-end shopping in Bangkok.
10. 1 Utama – Selangor, Malaysia
- Total Area: 6.5 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 5 million sq ft
1 Utama ranks as Malaysia’s biggest mall by leasable area. It offers a rooftop garden, indoor surfing pool, and sports facilities alongside fashion and dining.
11. West Edmonton Mall – Alberta, Canada
- Total Area: 5.3 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million sq ft
Once the world’s largest, West Edmonton Mall includes a waterpark, indoor amusement park, ice rink, and over 800 stores. Its diversity makes it a key North American attraction.
12. Golden Resources Mall – Beijing, China
- Total Area: 6 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 5.5 million sq ft
Golden Resources Mall, often called the “Great Mall of China,” spans six floors with over 1,000 stores. It was once Asia’s largest before being overtaken by newer developments.
13. New South China Mall (Redesigned) – Dongguan, China
- Total Area: 5.5 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 2 million sq ft
After its redesign, the mall improved occupancy and tourism appeal. Now featuring more restaurants, leisure zones, and a large cinema, it draws growing foot traffic.
14. Dubai Festival City Mall – Dubai, UAE
- Total Area: 5.2 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 2 million sq ft
This waterfront development includes IKEA, a five-star hotel, and an outdoor laser and water show. The mall connects to office towers and residential blocks in its vicinity.
15. CentralPlaza WestGate – Nonthaburi, Thailand
- Total Area: 5.1 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 3.2 million sq ft
CentralPlaza WestGate caters to families with a mix of entertainment, retail, and education zones. Its modern layout includes interactive play areas and advanced cinemas.
16. The Dubai Hills Mall – Dubai, UAE
- Total Area: 5 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 2.5 million sq ft
Launched recently, Dubai Hills Mall aims to combine smart retail experiences with family-focused design. It includes a hypermarket, indoor coaster, and branded boutiques.
17. Mall of America – Minnesota, USA
- Total Area: 5.6 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 2.8 million sq ft
Famous for its indoor theme park and aquarium, the Mall of America welcomes over 40 million visitors yearly. It remains the largest mall in the U.S. by total area.
18. Mega Bangna – Bangkok, Thailand
- Total Area: 4.3 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 2.5 million sq ft
Mega Bangna’s low-rise design makes it accessible and spacious. Anchored by IKEA, it integrates open-air walkways and broad corridors for easy navigation.
19. Sunway Pyramid – Selangor, Malaysia
- Total Area: 4.2 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 2 million sq ft
Inspired by Egyptian motifs, Sunway Pyramid includes an indoor skating rink, themed atriums, and a strong entertainment lineup. It’s integrated into the Sunway Resort complex.
20. The Avenues – Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Total Area: 4.1 million sq ft
- Gross Leasable Area: 2.5 million sq ft
The Avenues features zones themed as European boulevards and high-end arcades. With an expanding footprint and an upcoming Phase 5 development, it remains the largest mall in Kuwait.
Conclusion
The world’s biggest malls reflect a shift in how urban spaces are designed. These structures serve as economic engines, tourism magnets, and social hubs.
Each listed complex pushes architectural limits and delivers unique experiences, setting global benchmarks in retail development. As shopping centers grow in both size and purpose, they continue to shape consumer culture at a massive scale.
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