kochiiiiiiiii
Kochi moves to the suburbs
Kochi’s first super-big mall, Oberon Mall is here, complete with a multiplex. Prema Manmadhan takes a dekko
Photo: Thulasi Kakkat
SHOPPING REDEFINED There’s excitement as Kochi gets it first multiplex
Kochi gets to be the gateway of Kerala where entertainment is concerned. The State’s first multiplex (Cinemax) is poised to open its doors wide to cinema lovers in six months, yes, at Oberon Mall. The city’s first big mall has opened part ially. Oberon Mall is right on the bypass, at Edappally. As you turn from the traffic signal at Edappally to the bypass, and drive ahead for a few minutes, its huge dome comes into view.
And more malls, big and small, will be opening their account in the city shortly, Q1, Prestige, Lulu, Grand, Souk…all on the Aroor-Edappally bypass and one, as the road turns to Aluva. Life is not going to be the same any more, with more hangouts for city folks to relax, and fewer reasons to put up with the choking heart of the city.
Well, is the tired city, sick with traffic jams, moving to the outskirts? Maybe, says M.A. Mohammed, chairman and managing Director of Oberon Mall, smiling. The mall is spread over an area of 3, 55,000 sq ft. The commercial space opened to business houses is awesome by the city standards so far.
The soft launch is over and work is progressing at a hectic speed. The finishing touches are being made in the building even as a few outlets have started functioning. The two decked basement and space all around can accommodate 400 cars at a time. “Yesterday, 700 cars came here during the day,” Mohammed says. Did anyone say something about recession? Not in the vicinity of Oberon Mall, anyway!
Reliance, spread over 27,400 sq ft is doing brisk business with its apparel sections catering to all segments. It has a footwear, section also besides toys. Reliance has bought its space but the rest of the area in the mall has been leased out.
As you enter the atrium, which has a dome, the entire mall is within view. The centrally air-conditioned mall has escalators and if you are scared of them, you can use the lift. Even if you park on the first level of the basement, there is a lift to take you up, don’t worry.
Top brands
The ground floor which is not fully ready yet, houses a hypermarket. The top brands will all be there, says Mohammed. No business can afford to ignore pester power and so it will have gaming stations and scary homes, where kids can scream away while parents shop.
Food courts for tired shoppers will have all cuisines. Arabic will be added to the Chinese, North Indian and South Indian fare, with lots of ice cream places and of course pizza outlets too.
In all, nine eating outlets and three kiosks, according to the plans. On the top floor, there will be an art gallery, where artists can showcase their works _ for a fee.. There is a place for health too. A spa called Ela.
Even if you don’t want to shop, just take a walk and chill out at the atrium or window shop. Not much prodding will be needed, though!
Kochi’s first multiplex
The multiplex at the Oberon Mall will be ready within six months, says Cinemax India president Sanjay Dalia in a telephonic interview. “It is a fourscreeen multiplex which can seat between 700 and 800 people,” he adds.
Ticket rates have not been fixed, as the market is still under study. But Sanjay Dalia feels that it will be in the range of Rs 200 or so, with all the facilities that are provided in the multiplexes in metros. Cinemax, which has ventured into movie distribution too, with Kismet Konnection , has 19 multiplexes in the country now.
Source: The Hindu : Metro Plus Kochi : Kochi moves to the suburbs
Last edited by samsha22; 01-14-2011 at 12:32 PM.
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Kochi kandavanu echi vendaaa
Highway gardens nte aduthaana?
Oberon MALL - Leading International Brands, Shoppertainment, Cochin, Kerala, India
so the Edappally bypass soon to be kochi's shopping destination!!
kochi pazhaya kochi alla...
heard Lulu will be the biggest Mall in India, complete with 7 multiplexes..