City gets its first global supermall

Express News Service Posted: Jun 18, 2008 at 0310 hrs
Kolkata, June 17 The first global supermall in eastern India, Mani Square, opened its door to Kolkatans on Tuesday. The mall, which is located on EM Bypass next to Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, boasts an IMX movie theatre and a host of new brands like Amoeba, Scary House, Costa Coffee and Etam.

According to Lou Armstrong, CEO, Mani Square Limited, there are 21 new shops in the mall that have no other outlets in Kolkata. In collaboration with Friends 91.9 FM, the mall has also established its own radio station. Mani Square is built over an area of 700,000 sq ft with 150 retail shops and a parking space for 1,500 vehicles.

Created by Design International, Toronto, the project value of the mall is Rs 520 crore that has exceeded its initial budget by 20 per cent.

“The launch, which was earlier expected to be in December 2007, got delayed as it took more time to convince the municipal authorities over the complicated structure of the IMX theatre, said Subesh Ray, marketing head, Mani Square.

“Mani Group has planned to build sky bridges and a sky bazaar, said CEO, Mani Group. The group is also planning to expand its business in Jaipur, Durgapur, Siliguri and Bhubaneswar in the next four years.