In the past decade, Chengdu has emerged as a luxury capital and one of the most important transportation, economic, and cultural hubs in southwestern China. Not only does the city attract top brands and businesses, but the preservation of its historical and cultural landmarks has made it a must-see destination for domestic and global visitors alike. In October 2022, Sanlian Life Media released the "Humanistic City Spectrum Scheme" to evaluate 19 cities across the country based on their humanistic characteristics — and Chengdu was rated number one. Additionally, Chengdu ranked fourth after Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou in Barclays’ city store presence analysis for luxury companies, signaling its business potential. The rapid development of Chengdu in recent years is inseparable from the evolution and renewal of urban public space. Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu is one of the most outstanding projects shaping the city’s landscape, connecting consumers, local culture, brands and retailers. In 2022, Louis Vuitton officially opened in Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu its third Louis Vuitton Maison in mainland China, along with the house’s first restaurant in China – The Hall. Balenciaga’s global flagship store, Cartier Maison, and The World of Ralph Lauren (including China’s first Double RL boutique and the first Ralph’s Bar in Asia) were also unveiled there. This year, Alexander McQueen, Baccarat, Burberry, and Moynat launched their flagship boutiques in the shopping mall, while others including ARC'TERYX and STONE ISLAND are set to make their debut soon. April 2023 marked the eighth anniversary of Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu. To celebrate this milestone, the property unveiled a lifestyle and art exhibition named "All Around" at Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu’s Temple Plaza from April 28 to May 17. Below is a closer look at the exhibition and how the shopping complex is putting Chengdu on the map. Injecting brand value into architectural designs Mounting public art at commercial properties is nothing new in China. However, Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu does not simply display large-scale sculptures; it also invites architects, artists and brands to co-curate exhibitions. The renowned architectural design firm “Roarc Renew” has designed an exclusive hall for this celebration. Drawing inspiration from the Chinese character “八,” “入” and “人” (meaning eight, entrance, and mankind, respectively, in English), which are all composed of a left-falling stroke and a right-falling stroke, the pop-up hall showcases Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li’s dedication to traditional Chinese culture. Consisting of eight conceptual spaces, the hall presents the city of Chengdu from various perspectives. The interactive curatorial approach also encourages guests to spontaneously discover the objects and to be part of the public art program. Following the exhibition, the carbonized bamboo used for the hall can be disassembled and turned into bamboo stools, a characteristic of Chengdu. A batch of bamboo stools will then be placed in public spaces at Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu for visitors to rest, while others will be donated to Swire Properties’ Sichuan Community Centre for local villagers. Repurposing the architecture in this way aligns with the sustainability commitments of this luxury shopping complex. Partnering with artists and brands to create immersive visits The eight spaces present different concepts inspired by Chengdu’s local culture, such as its nightlife and laidback lifestyle As Molly Wu, general manager of Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu, shared, "Through our collaborations with architects, artists and brands, we present the unique rhythm, culture, art and creativity of urban life in Chengdu, and celebrate the inclusivity and diversity of the city." For instance, the “Night of Chengdu'' space draws inspiration from the glowing windows of households at night and presents contemporary poet Ma Lingli’s work named “Poetry Written by Time.” Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu also partnered with Byredo to present a special edition "Scent of Night" space, narrating the collective memory of the city through its night atmosphere. Artist Zhang Honglei presents his installation “Between Sunrise and Sunset” in the “Basking in the Sun” area to demonstrate local residents’ obsession with the sun and leisure. For this space, ARC'TERYX created a ReBIRD#x2122;#xfe0f; Green Folding Chair, which is part of the brand’s ReBIRD#x2122;#xfe0f; project to recycle and reuse leftover fabric, to represent sustainable outdoor lifestyles. Evolving with Chengdu’s dynamic city cultures Since its opening in 2014, Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu has created a number of forward-looking, experimental and artistic boutiques and programs with international brands, constantly breaking the boundaries of retail. Wu owes these results to the company’s localization strategy, explaining that “In the past eight years, Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu has taken root in Chengdu and has developed together with Chengdu. The lifestyles and scenes provided by Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu as urban public space is to restore the essence and tradition of Chengdu urban life from the emotional and cultural level and to connect residents with others, the world, and the future.” That said, Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu is more than a luxury shopping destination; it is a public arena that accommodates various lifestyles and offers dynamic cultural experiences to residents. In 2022, Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu unveiled a large-scale public art installation called "Land of Eternity" in Temple Plaza and launched an autumn-themed campaign named "Collective Greatness." That year, the Asian touring exhibition "Bags: Inside Out," —– presented by Swire Properties and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Vamp;A) —– also staged the final leg of its tour at the mall. With strong Chinese cultural roots and a global vision, Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu has set the standard for global high-end real estate developers. Its cultural vision has not only lured local shoppers from across China but also contributed to Chengdu’s global fame, helping it establish itself as a world-renowned cultural tourism destination.
