The Mall Group’s Emsphere opens its doors to the public

What: The Mall Group has cut the ribbon on its latest and most ambitious project, Emsphere.

Why it is important: Much more than a new landmark in Bangkok; this new project aims to influence the city structure itself.

The Mall Group has inaugurated a $403 million development, Emsphere, in downtown Bangkok. The Emsphere, envisioned by The Mall Group's chairwoman Supaluck Umpujh as a "sleepless metropolis," offers 24-hour dining and dedicates its fifth and sixth floors to entertainment with about 25 pubs and bars. It also features UOB Live, a large arena, Southeast Asia's first city-centre Ikea, and luxury car showrooms including Rolls-Royce and Porsche. This development is part of the EM district mega project, which also includes the Emporium and Emquartier shopping complexes, aiming to transform the district into a prominent urban area comparable to iconic districts in Dubai, Tokyo, and Shanghai.