View source for CentralWorld

{{more citations needed|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox shopping mall
| name = CentralWorld
| logo = Logo Central World.png
| image = CentralWorld 20190825.jpg
| image_width = 300
| caption = Exterior of CentralWorld in 2019
| address = 999/9 Rama I Road
| location = [[Pathum Wan District|Pathum Wan]], Bangkok, Thailand
| coordinates = {{coord|13|44|49|N|100|32|23|E|type:landmark_region:TH|display=inline,title}}
| opening_date = {{Start date and age|df=y|1989|12|3}} (World Trade Center)<br />{{Start date and age|df=y|2002|12|23}} (Central World Plaza)<br />{{Start date and age|df=y|2007|11|8}} (CentralWorld)
<!-- Infobox does not support the following parameter:| Previously_name = World Trade Center (1989–2002)<br />Central World Plaza (2002–2007) -->
| developer = [[Central Pattana]]
| manager = 
| owner = [[Crown Property Bureau]]<br />TBF4
| architect = Altoon + Porter Architects LLP
| number_of_stores = 495{{sfn|Annual Report 2011|p=55}}
| number_of_anchors = 7{{sfn|Annual Report 2011|p=55}}
| floor_area = {{convert|187046|m2|sqft|2|sigfig=2}}{{sfn|Annual Report 2011|p=55}}
| parking = 7,000{{sfn|Annual Report 2011|p=48}}
| floors = 7{{sfn|Form 56-1 2011|p=20}}
| publictransit = {{hlist|[[Siam BTS Station]]|[[Chit Lom BTS station]]}}
| website = {{URL|centralworld.co.th/en/home}}
| footnotes = '''Other facts and statistics about CentralWorld:'''
* Renovated opening date: 21 July 2006
* [[Gross Floor Area|GFA]] of shopping mall: {{convert|550000|m2|sqft|2|sigfig=2}} include:
** [[Gross leasable area|GLA]] of stores rental: {{convert|409500|m2|sqft|2|sigfig=2}}
* GFA of 5-star hotel (exclude convention center): {{convert|90000|m2|sqft|2|sigfig=2}}
* GFA of convention center: {{convert|17000|m2|sqft|2|sigfig=2}}
* GFA of office tower: {{convert|80000|m2|sqft|2|sigfig=2}}
* GFA of indoor [[parking structure]] and parking underground of shopping mall and office tower: {{convert|287000|m2|sqft|2|sigfig=2}}
* No. of floors in CentralWorld complex:
** Shopping mall (zones A–C): 7
** Shopping mall (zones D, I): 8
** Shopping mall (zone E): 3
** Shopping mall (zone F—excluding cineplex and indoor parking structure): 3
** Shopping mall (zone F—only cineplex): 4
** Shopping mall (zone F—only indoor parking structure): ~20
** Central tower (Central Department Store and Central Tower @ CentralWorld): 20
** Isetan tower: 8 (to be renamed in 2021)
** Office tower: 45
** Hotel tower (include convention center): 57
** Convention center (part of 5-star hotel tower): 4
** Parking underground of shopping mall and office tower: 2
}}
[[File:ZoneCCW.jpg|thumb|upright|Central Dome]]
'''CentralWorld''' ({{langx|th|เซ็นทรัลเวิลด์}}, styled as '''centralwOrld'''), is a shopping plaza and complex in the [[Siam area]] of Bangkok, in Thailand,<ref name="AsiaWebCentralWorld">[http://www.bangkok.com/shopping-mall/centralworld.html Asia Web, CentralWorld]</ref> opened in 1989. It is the ninth-largest shopping center in the world. The complex, which includes a hotel and office tower, is owned by [[Central Pattana]]. In 2006, after three years of design and renovation, CentralWorld was expanded to {{cvt|550,000|sqm}} of shopping mall and {{cvt|830,000|sqm}} of remaining complex, topping nearby rival [[Siam Paragon]] in terms of size.
==History==
{{More citations needed|section|date=January 2025}}
===Original name===
The mall opened in 1989 as the [[List of World Trade Centers|World Trade Center]]. [[Central Group]] acquired the property in 2002 from the [[Wang Phetchabun]] group and changed the name to Central World Plaza. In 2007, it was renamed CentralWorld. It is on leased [[Bureau of the Crown Property|Crown Property Bureau]] land. In its acquisition, the Central Group's property development arm, [[Central Pattana]] ({{SET|CPN}}), secured a new 30-year lease on the site.<ref>Jitpleecheep, Sukanya. [http://www.bangkokpost.net/yearend2002/retailing.html "Plenty of new offerings in store"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012162949/http://www.bangkokpost.net/yearend2002/retailing.html |date=12 October 2006 }}, ''[[Bangkok Post]]'' Year-End 2002 Economic Review (retrieved 21 July 2006).</ref>
===Renovations===
Anticipating the opening of the luxury [[Siam Paragon]], CPN started massive renovations and expansion on the site in 2002. The original mall structure was {{Convert|300000|m2}}, and the expansion plans boosted that to {{Convert|430000|m2}}. Though work was not yet complete, CPN held an official opening of the renovated complex on 21 July 2006; it was expected to be fully operational by October 2006. By May 2007, the mall was fully opened, but some parts of the upper floors remained vacant. Major exterior construction was ongoing on the hotel in the northwest corner of the mall and the extension floors to the [[ZEN (department store)|ZEN]] department store in the southeast corner.
The renovated complex aimed to attract 150,000 customers per day, spending more than 7&nbsp;billion [[Thai baht|baht]] annually. It marketed itself as a middle-class shopping center, as opposed to the upper-class Siam Paragon.<ref>Nguyen, Lan Anh (21 July 2006). "Unfinished CentralWorld to hold grand opening", ''[[ThaiDay]]'' (print edition).</ref><ref>Thai News Agency (21 July 2006). [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23493 Thailand's largest shopping complex CentralWorld opens July 21] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312142603/http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23493 |date=12 March 2007 }}, [[MCOT]] (retrieved 22 July 2003).</ref>
====Offices at CentralWorld====
Renovations included completing an unfinished office tower, work on which had been halted in 2003, with only 39 of the planned 63 floors completed. Construction resumed in 2003, expanding the tower to a 45-story, {{Convert|204|m|adj=on}} design, with the completed tower opening in December 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seangsong |first=Pas |title=Bangkok Highrises – Central World Tower |url=http://geocities.com/topsyturvy_6051/cwt.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027060803/http://geocities.com/topsyturvy_6051/cwt.html |archive-date=27 October 2009 |access-date=15 October 2025 |website=geocities.com}}</ref>
===2010 fire damage===<!--
On 19 May 2010, CentralWorld was seriously damaged by fire in the aftermath of a [[2010 Thai political protests|military operation against anti-government protesters]] known as [[Red Shirts (Thailand)|Red Shirts]]. Initial media reports at the time indicated that the mall may have to be demolished. The owners later indicated that the rear of the mall could be renovated and portions might reopen in as little as six months, with damaged sections possibly requiring demolishing and rebuilding.<ref>Reuters (21 May 2010). [http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE64K07A20100521 Thai Central: mall may be partly restored in 6 months]</ref>
A portion of the shopping complex reopened on 28 September 2010 after months of repair work.<ref>[http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/198561/central-world-reopens Bangkok Post (28 September 2010)]</ref>
-->
CentralWorld was temporarily closed on 19 May 2010 due to severe arson damage, which occurred as troops dislodged protesters from the area during the [[2010 Thailand political protests|2010 political protests]]. The adjoining Zen section suffered massive damage from rioters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 May 2010 |title=CentralWorld on verge of collapse |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/178462/centralworld-to-collapse |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521143720/http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/178462/centralworld-to-collapse |archive-date=21 May 2010 |website=Bangkok Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2010 |title=CentralWorld costs Zen fire at B1.3bn |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/178720/centralworld-repair-to-take-over-6-months |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524144313/http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/178720/centralworld-repair-to-take-over-6-months |archive-date=24 May 2010}}</ref>
The Isetan portion was reopened soon after. Following repairs, a large part of CentralWorld was reopened on 28 September that year, with the Zen section reopening on 6 January 2012.
===Mall renovations 2016–2018===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2024}}
Renovations included enhanced circulation and simplified navigation, the addition of an escalator in zone A, enhanced linkage to the [[BTS Skytrain]], and opening of the second [[Apple Store]] in Thailand.
===2019 fire and ZEN renamed to Central===
During the evening rush hour on 10 April 2019, a fire that apparently started elsewhere spread to the eighth floor via air vent pipes, and the mall was ordered evacuated. At least two people, both employees, were reported to have died after jumping from the building.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47883708 "CentralWorld: Deadly blaze at Bangkok shopping complex"], BBC News, 10 April 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1659704/fire-kills-3-at-centralworld-in-bangkok "Fire kills 2 at CentralWorld in Bangkok"], ''Bangkok Post'', 10 April 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-fire/fire-at-bangkok-shopping-mall-kills-at-least-two-injures-16-idUSKCN1RM1JL "Fire at Bangkok shopping mall kills at least two, injures 16"], Reuters, 10 April 2019.</ref><ref>Jintamas Saksornchai, [http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/calamity/2019/04/11/2-mall-staff-likely-jumped-to-death-while-aiding-fire-rescue-official/ "2 Mall Staff Likely Jumped to Death While Aiding Fire Rescue: Official"], ''Khaosod English'', 11 April 2019.</ref>
That December, after three decades, ZEN was renamed to Central after a major revamp costing 1&nbsp;billion baht.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1804479/central-earmarks-b10bn-for-revamp|title=Central earmarks B10bn for revamp|website=Bangkok Post|date=29 November 2019 |access-date=4 December 2019 |last1=Jitpleecheep |first1=Pitsinee }}</ref>
===Isetan closure and subsequent renovation===
On 14 March 2020, [[Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings]] and CPN jointly announced the closure of [[Isetan]] Bangkok at CentralWorld as of 31 August 2020, due to the contract expiration.<ref>https://www.prahchachat.net/marketing/news-432211{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1878800/isetan-to-exit-thailand-after-28-years|title=Isetan to exit Thailand after 28 years|website=Bangkok Post|date=14 March 2020 |access-date=16 March 2020}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed">
CentralWorld Zone A New Atrium 201801.jpg|Zone A new atrium
CentralWorld Atrium in Level 1-2 201801.jpg|The atrium was removed from levels 1–2
CentralWorld Level 2 new shops 201801.jpg|Open shop-front design on level 2
</gallery>
==Location==
CentralWorld is located in the [[Pathum Wan District]], at the [[Ratchaprasong]] intersection, in one of Bangkok's busiest shopping and tourism districts.
==Facilities==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2025}}
[[File:CWZEN2015.jpg|thumb|CentralWorld Square]]
[[File:CentralWorld Atrium view 201801.jpg|thumb|right|Atrium in 2018]]
[[File:CentralWorld Zone F The Rink 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Zone F rink in 2011]]
===CentralWorld Square===
[[File:Christmas Tree outside CentralWorld.jpg|thumb|Christmas tree displayed outside of CentralWorld]]
Outdoor activity square covering an area of {{Convert|8|km2}}. In 2020, the Apple Store opened here.
===CentralWorld Avenue===
Six-lane road that circles the complex, linking [[Rama I Road]] and [[Ratchadamri Road]].
===Centara Grand at CentralWorld===
{{Main|Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre}}
===Anchors===
[[File:Cds-cw-2020.jpg|thumb|Central Department Store]]
====Main anchors====
* '''[[Central Department Store]]''' – previously known as Zen, it is the largest branch of the eponymous chain, at 50,000 square metres and seven stories.
* '''[[SF Group|SF World Cinema]]''' – upscale cinema complex located on the seventh floor, it has a total of 15 screens and 800 seats. The venue hosted the [[2007 Bangkok International Film Festival|2007]] and [[2008 Bangkok International Film Festival]].
[[File:Groove.jpg|thumb|upright|GROOVE at CentralWorld]]
====Key tenants====
* '''[[Apple Store]]''' – Apple's second store in Thailand
* '''SuperSports''' – large sporting equipment store
* '''PowerBuy x B2S Think Space''' – [[flagship]] branch of the Thailand-based bookstore and electronics store chain
* '''[[Tops (Thai supermarket)|Tops Food Hall]]''' – premium-level supermarket
* '''SB Design Square''' – flagship store of [[S.B. Furniture]]
* '''[[Toys R Us]]''' – Thai flagship location of the American toy store
[[File:UNIQLOTH.JPG|thumb|UNIQLO (first store in Thailand)]]
[[File:Kinokuniya Central World, Bangkok, Thailand, June 2024.jpg|thumb|Kinokuniya (first store in Thailand), 2024]]
* '''TK Park''' (Thailand Knowledge Park) – complex that includes a library, internet centres, a [[4D film|4D]] movie theatre, and other media facilities. It is owned and operated by the government of Thailand.
* '''Genius Planet''' – children's playground, arcade, and various learning centres
* '''[[Uniqlo]]''' – first Uniqlo store in Thailand
* '''[[H&M]]''' – clothing store
* '''The Rink Iceskate''' – indoor ice skating rink located in the Forum zone on the second floor
* '''The ZONE by [[Fitness First]]''' – fitness centre
* '''[[Kinokuniya]]''' – first Kinokuniya store in Thailand
* '''[[Nitori]]''' – first Nitori store in Thailand
<gallery mode="packed">
Apple Central World (January 2022) - img 01.jpg|[[Apple Store|Apple]] Central World (2022)
CentralWorld Level 1 Jewels & Watches 2011.jpg|Level 1 jewellery & watches (2011)
CentralWorld Level 1 Zone E water feature Void 2011.jpg|Level 1 Zone E water feature (2011)
CentralWorld Level 3 2011.jpg|Level 3 (2011)
CentralWorld Level 4 Zone B 2011.jpg|Level 4 Zone B (2011)
CentralWorld Level 5 Zone A 2011.jpg|Level 5 Zone A (2011)
CentralWorld Level 6 Zone C Genius Planet 2011.jpg|Level 6 Zone C Genius Planet (2011)
CentralWorld Level Level 7 Zone A Restaurant 201801.jpg|Level 7 Zone A restaurants
SF World Cinema View 2011.jpg|Level 7 SF World Cinema
CentralWorld Level 7 Central Food Hall 2011.jpg|Level 7 Central Food Hall
</gallery>
===Former tenants===
[[File:Centerpoint at CentralWorld 2011.jpg|200px|thumb|Centerpoint at CentralWorld]]
* '''[[King Power]]''' – Thai duty-free store that used to operate on the sixth floor of Zone A. It closed in June 2006 to make way for the expansion of the [[ZEN (department store)|ZEN]] department store (now Central Department Store).
* '''[[Major Cineplex]]''' – former cineplex boasting six screens and 24 bowling lanes. It closed after [[SF Group|SF World Cinema]] opened, in January 2008.
* '''Centerpoint at CentralWorld''' – complex of shops, restaurants, game zones, and entertainment venues on level 7. It closed in August 2012 to make way for the Edutainment Zone.
* '''[[Isetan]]''' – only branch of the Japanese department store chain in Thailand. It has six stories, with items ranging from apparel to domestic goods. It closed in August 2020.
==See also==
* [[List of shopping malls in Bangkok]]
* [[List of shopping malls in Thailand]]
* [[List of largest shopping malls in Thailand]]
* [[List of the world's largest shopping malls]]
==Further reading==
* {{Citation |first=Jim |last=Taylor |title=Larger Than Life: 'Central World' and its Demise and Rebirth – Red Shirts and the Creation of an Urban Cultural Myth in Thailand |journal=Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series |number=150 |date=March 2011 |url=http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/wps/wps11_150.pdf }}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}
==Notes==
{{reflist|33em}}
==References==
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Annual Report 2011}}|url=http://cpn.listedcompany.com/misc/ar/20120321-CPN-AR2011-EN.pdf|title=Annual Report 2011|date=21 March 2012|author=Central Pattana|access-date=30 March 2012|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308051005/https://cpn.listedcompany.com/misc/ar/20120321-CPN-AR2011-EN.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Form 56-1 2011}}|url=http://cpn-th.listedcompany.com/misc/FORM561/2011/20120405-CPN-FORM561-2011-TH.pdf|title=Form 56-1 2011|language=th|date=5 April 2012|author=Central Pattana|access-date=23 May 2012|archive-date=8 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308050747/https://cpn-th.listedcompany.com/misc/FORM561/2011/20120405-CPN-FORM561-2011-TH.pdf|url-status=dead}}
==External links==
{{commons category|CentralWorld}}
* {{official website|centralworld.co.th/en/home}}
{{Bangkok Malls}}
{{Shopping malls in Thailand}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:CentralWorld}}
[[Category:Shopping malls in Bangkok]]
[[Category:Central Pattana]]
[[Category:Pathum Wan district]]
[[Category:Shopping malls established in 1990]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in Thailand]]