Kochi gets a new landmark — the country’s biggest shopping arcade. The 2.5 million sq ft — imagine 33 football fields — Lulu Mall is all set to open its doors on Sunday.

Developed by the UAE-based Lulu group at an investment of Rs 1,600 crore, the mall is spread over 17 acres, rising three levels.

Located at Edappally, at the intersection of NH-47, 17 and the Kochi by-pass, the mall has easy access to the Cochin International Airport as also the railway station.

A spokesman for Lulu group said the mall, set to house the best of luxury and lifestyle brands, will redefine the shopping experience.

Cuisines international and Indian will be served up at the food court that can take 3,500 people at one go. Scattered about across the mall will be coffee shops and dine-in outlets. The first McDonald’s restaurant in Kerala will open at the mall next week.

Malls are also entertainment zones, and Lulu has set aside 22,000 sq ft just for this. A 5,000 sq ft Ice Rink, a 5-D cinema hall, bowling alleys, water rides and games arcades offer diverse engagements. By April, nine cinema screens with a total capacity of 2,250 seats will open.

For visitors from outside Kochi, there is Marriott’s 300-room hotel.

Designed by UK-based consultants WS Atkins, the mall has a parking facility for 3,000 cars with access from all the main roads.

The mall is expected to generate 8,000 jobs directly and more than 20,000 indirectly, said the Lulu group spokesman. The mall will be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

> sajeevkumar.v@thehindu.co.in

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