Jiangnan Global Harbor, one of the world’s largest leisure-led retail schemes, has officially opened near Shanghai.

The 500,000sq m (5.3 million sq ft), five-level project is located in the city of Changzhou, within the prosperous Jiangsu province. Designed by architects Chapman Taylor, the scheme has a vast Art Deco-inspired atrium with giant LED screens and musical fountains; 60,000sq m (645,800sq ft) of space dedicated to bars, restaurants and cafés; and 160,000sq m (1.9 million sq ft) of shops.

“Global Harbor is an entertainment leisure-focused shopping mall with a whole multitude of carefully combined elements,” said Chapman Taylor director Chris Lanksbury. “It features a rooftop urban farm, a Ferris wheel, an ocean liner-themed hotel tower, cinemas, bowling, kids’ clubs, family entertainment, edutainment, a soccer club, an archery club and climbing walls.

“Its unique combination of shopping and entertainment will make this one of the most popular family day out destinations in the Jiangnan region of China. It’s groundbreaking and Leads the way for future retail and leisure developments.’

More additions are planned in the future, including a connected 900,000sq m (9.6 million sq ft) development with more shops, apartments and a ‘Ports of the World’ theme park.

The project cost has not been revealed. The multidisciplinary Yuexing Group has developed the scheme.