Global Mall to Open Flagship Shopping Center at Kaohsiung Main Station by End of Next Year

This project originated from the undergrounding of the Kaohsiung urban railway, in conjunction with the Kaohsiung City Government's local development plans. Kaohsiung Main Station is a co-constructed station for Taiwan Railways and Kaohsiung MRT, and will include the construction of commercial and hotel buildings, with a total floor area of approximately 1.6 million square feet, all owned by Taiwan Railways Administration. The leased properties include the Kaohsiung Main Station commercial building and station commercial spaces. The commercial building is 10 stories above ground, located directly above the underground station; the station commercial spaces are distributed on the 1st floor above ground, 1st basement, and 3rd basement of the station. This is the first time Taiwan Railways has offered a tender for a station building combined with station commercial spaces. Continental Development Corporation secured the operating rights for the Kaohsiung Main Station shopping mall in the second half of last year, and the mall will be operated by Global Mall. Zheng Guangyuan stated that Banqiao Station is a classic case of Global Mall operating a station-type shopping mall. This time, Kaohsiung Main Station will integrate Global Mall's past experience and resources in rail economy and all-customer-segment development, hoping to transform Kaohsiung Main Station into a core urban highlight and a model for future station development. Ma Zhigang said that over the past 20 years, Global Mall has collaborated with Taiwan Railways, including Banqiao, Xinzuoying, and Nangang Stations. For Continental Development Corporation, it is not only property management but also an important foundation for jointly promoting the rail economy with Taiwan Railways. The Kaohsiung Main Station shopping mall, a major property development project by Taiwan Railways, will be positioned as a flagship shopping center, introducing the group's retail resources, and is expected to open by the end of 2027 at the earliest. In addition, Continental Development Corporation also obtained the development rights for Zones 4 and 5 around the station, planning to develop office buildings and residences, expected to be completed in 2034. Bai Jintang, Vice General Manager of Global Mall, stated that Global Mall has been deeply involved in the rail economy shopping mall model for many years, with 6 of its 8 malls being station-type malls; the other 2 are all-customer-segment malls, including the Zhonghe and Pingtung stores. He said that this entry into Kaohsiung Main Station will combine the operational experience of station-type malls with the all-customer-segment mall model, taking the "station living circle" as the core concept to create a mixed-use commercial space integrating travel, business shopping, and leisure. This project has a floor area of 1.6 million square feet, second only to Global Mall's Zhonghe store. Tenant recruitment has already begun, with plans to attract 150 to 160 vendors, and the future retail and dining ratio will be approximately 6 to 4.