3 December 1989; 34 years ago (1989-12-03) (World Trade Center) 1989; 35 years ago (1989) (Zen Now Close 27 November 2019) 8 April 1992; 32 years ago (1992-04-08) (Isetan Now Close 31 August 2020) 2000; 24 years ago (2000) (Major Cinema Now Close 6 January 2008) 23 December 2002; 21 years ago (2002-12-23) (Central World Plaza) November 2004; 19 years ago (2004-11) (CentralWorld Offices) 2007; 17 years ago (2007) (SF World Cinema) 8 November 2007; 16 years ago (2007-11-08) (CentralWorld) 2008; 16 years ago (2008) (Centra Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld) September 9, 2011; 12 years ago (2011-09-09) (Uniqlo at CentralWorld) 28 November 2019; 4 years ago (2019-11-28) (Central @ CentralWorld) 31 July 2020; 3 years ago (2020-07-31) (Apple Store at CentralWorld) 30 March 2023; 15 months ago (2023-03-30) (Shake Shack at Centralworld) 31 August 2023; 10 months ago (2023-08-31) (Nitori at CentralWorld)
CentralWorld (Thai: เซ็นทรัลเวิลด์, styled as centralwOrld) is a shopping plaza and complex in Bangkok, Thailand.[5] It is the ninth largest shopping complex in the world. The complex, which includes a hotel and office tower, is owned by the company Central Pattana. In 2006, after three years of design and renovation, CentralWorld was expanded to 550,000 m2 (5,900,000 sq ft) of shopping mall and 830,000 m2 (8,900,000 sq ft) of complex, topping nearby rival Siam Paragon in terms of size.
The mall opened in 1989. Central Group acquired the property In 2002 from the changed the name World Trade Center to Central World Plaza. In 2007, it was renamed CentralWorld. It is on leased 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.[6]
Anticipating the opening of the luxury Siam Paragon, CPN started massive renovations and expansion on the site in 2002. CPN changed the name from World Trade Center to Central World Plaza. The original mall structure was 300,000 square meters. The expansion plans boosted that to 430,000 square meters. 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. At the time CPN change the name to Centralworld. 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 in southeast corner.
The renovated complex aimed to attract 150,000 customers per day, spending more than 7 billion baht annually. It marketed itself as a middle class shopping center, opposed to the upper class-market Siam Paragon.[7][8]
CentralWorld did not achieve its goal in term of daily visitors because of several reasons, including political turmoil and an ongoing economic downturn. However, shopper numbers soon increased, though reliable figures are lacking. Bangkok's New Year countdown celebrations were held in front of CentralWorld, which quickly became a tradition, with the number of people increasing every year.
Renovations included completing an unfinished office tower, work on which had been 2003 halted in with only 39 of the planned 63 floors completed. Construction resumed in 2003, expanding the tower to a 45-story, 204-meter, design, with the completed tower opening in December 2004.[9]
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. The adjoining 'Zen' section suffered massive damage from the rioters.[10][11]
The Isetan portion was reopened soon after. Following repairs, a large part of CentralWorld was reopened on 28 September that year. The 'Zen' section reopened on 6 January 2012.
Renovations included Enhance circulation and simplified navigation, add escalator in Zone A, re-zone merchandise to suit current market, use open shop-front design to enhance customer experience, enhance linkage to BTS Skytrain, and building for second Apple Store in Thailand.
The renovations started in Autumn 2016 and were due to be completed in 2018.
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.[12][13][14][15]
That December, after three decades, ZEN was renamed into Central, positioned as an experimental experience store. The whole Central Department Store's CentralWorld store will be revamped by hiring three famous designers from France, Italy, Germany, and Thailand. The revamp cost 1 billion baht.[16]
On 14 March 2020, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings and CPN jointly announced the closure of Isetan Bangkok at CentralWorld per 31 August 2020 due to expiration of contract between two parties. After Isetan closes, CPN plans to renovate the area and the façade while negotiating with new department store anchor replacing Isetan. Renovation will be completed per 1Q 2022, with the Japanese feeling and ambience and its authentic Japanese restaurant zone will be kept intact.[17][18]
The largest outdoor activity square in downtown Bangkok, this covered an area of 8 square kilometres, which was for large-scale activities such as The New Year's Eve Countdown party. There were 400 dancing fountain heads incorporated into the plaza. In 2020, Apple Store opened at this square.
Central Department Store – Previously known as Zen, it is the largest branch of Central Department Store and branded as Asia's first lifestyle trend megastore at that time. It has 50,000 square metres and is seven stories high. Managed by the Central Retail Corporation, the branch will serve as prototype of Central's new concept nationwide.
Apple Store – Apple's second Thailand store. Located at CentralWorld Square, right outside the Central Department Store. Recognized as the largest Apple Store in South East Asia.
PowerBuyxB2S Think Space – The flagship and largest branch of the Thailand-based bookstore chain and electronics store chain, it spreads one floor and offers international and local publications, books, stationery, office supplies and various forms of entertainment media. Also, electrical appliances ranging from refrigerators to home theatre systems.
Tops Food Hall – This premium-level supermarket offers household products, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, butcheries and seafood. There are also a wine cellar, a food court and a variety of restaurants and fast food outlets.
SB Design Square – The flagship store of S.B. Furniture, selling furnitures and home decorate products.
Toys R Us – The flagship location of the store in Thailand, it offers more than 10,000 square meters of imported toys and attractive gadgets and gizmos for teenagers.
UNIQLO First store in Thailand
TK Park (Thailand Knowledge Park) – A complex that includes a library, Internet centers, a 4D movie theatre and other media facilities. Owned and operated by the government of Thailand.
Genius Park – A newly added facility, replacing the Asian Senses, it consists of a children's playground, an arcade, and various learning centers for children and adults.
Uniqlo – The first Uniqlo store in Thailand and currently the brand's largest branch in South-East Asia.
H&M – The Largest H&M Store in Southeast Asia and 3rd Largest After Las Vegas' and NYC's.
The Rink Iceskate – An indoor ice skating rink located at the 2nd floor Forum zone.
The ZONE by Fitness First – The largest Fitness First fitness club in South-East Asia.
Kinokuniya – The first Kinokuniya store and currently the largest bookstore in Thailand. The store split into two parts, the first are Manga store, featuring largest line of Tankōbon and light novel from Japan, Thailand and manga series around the world. And the second are bookstore, offers publications, books, and stationery from Japan, Thailand and around the world.
King Power – A local duty-free store which used to operate on the sixth floor of Zone A. It eventually closed down in June 2006 to make way for the expansion of the ZEN Department Store (now Central Department Store).
Major Cineplex – A former cineplex boasting six screens and twenty-four bowling lanes. The cineplex eventually closed down due to poor business, after SF World Cinema opened in January 2008. This space has since changed into Zone I plaza of CentralWorld.
Centerpoint at CentralWorld – A complex of shops, restaurants, game zones and entertainment venues located on level 7. The complex was developed and operated by Pornpailin Development Co Ltd, who has previously operated the Centerpoint at Siam Square. It closed down in August 2012 to make Edutainment Zone. As of December 2021, this space has converted to Zone I plaza of CentralWorld.
Isetan – The only branch of the Japanese department store chain in Thailand. It has six stories, ranges from apparel to domestic goods. The fifth story of Isetan is dubbed Washoku Gallery, featuring food products imported from Japan. The sixth story features Thailand's first Books Kinokuniya branch. Managed directly by Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, it was permanently closed on 31 August 2020. All space of Isetan Bangkok store has since changed into Zone I plaza of CentralWorld.
Centara Grand is a chain hotel built on land leased from the Crown Properties Bureau. The flagship hotel, the Centara Grand at CentralWorld, is attached to both the CentralWorld mall and the Offices at CentralWorld.
