Central Pattana Plc (CPN), the country's leading real estate developer and retail operator, yesterday formally opened Central Sri Racha, a 4.2-billion-baht fully integrated mixed-use development project.
Situated within a 27-rai plot of land in the centre of the city of Sri Racha, the project -- the largest mixed-use development and the first eco-friendly mall in the eastern region -- is poised to become a model for mixed-use projects of the future.
Covering a space measuring 140,000 square metres in total, the development has a semi-outdoor design and pet-friendly zones, together with seven "highlights for happiness", to offer new lifestyles to the people of Sri Racha under the concept "The Innovation Oasis".
The shopping centre and its opening activities are being managed under the strict public health measure "Central hygiene & safety safe plus+".
"We intend this mixed-use development to support and cater to the growth of Sri Racha as the key industrial city in the Eastern Economic Corridor scheme," said Preecha Ekkunagul, president and chief executive of Central Pattana.
Sri Racha has a high level of potential to become a logistics and transportation hub of Asean that can attract Thai and overseas investors, as well as turning the city into a new hub.
The project is expected to help stimulate the economy of Chon Buri province, create new jobs and distribute income to community members, and drive the overall economy, he said.
Central Sri Racha is Central Pattana's 35th shopping centre. It is located on Sukhumvit Road, the main highway linking the eastern region to the rest of the country, and is the most complete and fully integrated mixed-use development in the region, said Mr Preecha.
The project has the first semi-outdoor shopping centre outside of Bangkok, as well as convention halls, a hotel, a serviced apartment and a campus office. Its parking facilities can handle up to 1,800 cars and 800 motorcycles.