The Bailian Outlet mall is located on the western edge of Shanghai in Qingpu District, approximately 25 kilometers from the city center. Opened in 2006, it was the first outlet mall in the Shanghai metropolitan area. Due to its relative proximity to the city center, the mall quickly gained popularity and has remained a vibrant retail destination.
While the mall has achieved commercial success, the outdoor spaces now appear outdated. They were originally planned with a focus on circulation and traffic management and stand in sharp contrast to the new outlet malls emerging around Shanghai, which offer richer and more immersive outdoor environments. In addition, the site is vast—approximately 600 meters north–south and 300 meters east–west—and is traversed by a river that constitutes a valuable natural amenity. Nevertheless, the existing site configuration made little use of this environmental asset.
The recent renovation aimed to transform the outdoor environment into a stay-friendly outdoor landscape aligned with modern shoppers’ needs. The project scope included:
- Renovation of the Entrance Plaza, the primary arrival space from the main parking area.
- Enhancement of the Main Promenade, the central axis leading toward the central area.
- Comprehensive landscape improvements along the riverside area, activating previously underused natural spaces.
- Redevelopment of Buildings B9/B10 and surrounding zones, including new construction to create anchor retails for the mall.
Entrance Plaza
The Entrance Plaza is the first gathering point for visitors arriving from the main parking area. Over the years, a series of piecemeal alterations produced irregular paving treatments and multiple minor level changes that caused inconvenience to pedestrians. A spherical fountain, installed for feng shui purposes, caused water spray to scatter across the plaza, leaving the ground perpetually wet—an undesirable condition for such a prominent space.
In the renovation, the plaza was enlarged, allowing subtle gradients to replace steps and creating a barrier-free pedestrian surface. The fountain was retained at the client’s request but was enclosed by a planter to conceal its nozzles and prevent water from spilling into pedestrian areas. To enhance the symbolic character of the space, obstructive trees were transplanted, and a large trellis structure was introduced as a new visual landmark.
Main Promenade
Previously, the promenade functioned almost exclusively as a paved space with little shade, no resting facilities, and temporary kiosks. These temporary structures diminished the spatial quality and blocked visual continuity between different parts of the mall.
The renovation retained the existing paving but introduced rich plantings and seating along the promenade. Flowers and greenery now create a welcoming atmosphere and transform the axis into a pleasant linear park, enhancing both comfort and visual experience for shoppers.
Riverside Area
A river runs through the site east–west, forming a major spatial feature that divides the mall into northern and southern halves. Before renovation, overgrown vegetation had created a dense barrier that blocked views and discouraged access to the water. An adjacent children’s playground, obscured by overgrown trees and shrubs, was underused and visually disconnected from the mall as well.
The renovation preserved the mature trees while selectively clearing undergrowth to open sightlines. Lawns and flowers replaced dense vegetation, creating a bright, open riverside environment. New timber decks terraces were added, transforming the riverside into a lively, park-like setting where visitors can relax close to the water.
Buildings B9/B10
Located in the northeast of the river, Buildings B9 and B10 had previously been isolated from the mall’s main circulation routes. The renovation of the riverside and the former children’s playground created visual continuity with the surrounding spaces, clarified pedestrian circulation, and opened up sightlines, thereby repositioning the area as a strategic focal point. The buildings were redeveloped into flagship stores for sports brands, supported by an open lawn plaza in front that now serves as an outdoor event venue.
One of the defining features of the new building is the pale orange outdoor staircase. The adjacent event plaza and its shaded subspace have been landscaped with lush greenery, creating a pocket-park–like oasis.
Conclusion
Through strategic interventions—upgrading entry sequences, enhancing promenade and riverside landscapes, and redeveloping the B9/B10 zone—Bailian Outlets Plaza has been redefined as more than a shopping destination. It now offers an inviting outdoor environment that extends the shopping experience beyond retail.
Shanghai Bailian Outlet Mall
Location: Shanghai, China
Client: Bailian Group
Landscape architect: TOA Landscape Architecture
Design team: Okawa Yoshinari, Zhang Li, Li Yuanwei, Guo Ying, Feng Xuejing
Photography credit: TOA Landscape Architecture