Kandy City Centre

Kandy City Centre is a large commercial and retail complex in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Located close to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the country's most important religious and cultural landmarks, the complex was conceived as a modern shopping and services destination while incorporating architectural references associated with Kandy. It combines retail, banking, food, entertainment, office and service uses within a ten-storey building. The project originated on a site of approximately five hectares that had previously been occupied by buildings belonging to or associated with Walker Sons and Company, including a cinema and other commercial premises. The site was cleared and construction began in 1993. Work was halted in 1998, then restarted in 2003. Although the building was completed in 2005, its formal opening took place in December 2008. The development was the vision of Thusitha Wijayasena and was undertaken through Property Finance and Investments Kandy (Pvt) Ltd. Kandy City Centre was designed by AMC Architects of Singapore in collaboration with the Sri Lankan practice ADV Consultants and constructed by Maga Engineering. Its design sought to combine contemporary commercial facilities with elements reflecting traditional Kandy architecture. The project received flagship status from Sri Lanka's Board of Investment and is described as a Board of Investment-approved flagship project. It was also among the early buildings in Sri Lanka to incorporate an underground floor. The centre's tenant and visitor facilities include banks, a supermarket, restaurants, a multi-cuisine food court, a cinema complex, an entertainment zone, a bookstore, florists, clothing retailers, perfume stores, an Ayurveda facility and stalls operated by Sri Lankan and international companies. The complex is supported by fourteen elevators, extensive telephone infrastructure, full-time backup electricity generation with a stated capacity of 3 megawatts, and a modern security system. Six of the ten floors have direct road access, an arrangement enabled by the site's design and terrain. A five-level car park outside the main complex is managed separately by the Kandy Municipal Council. It is identified as the largest car park in Kandy and is an important part of the centre's role as an urban destination. Rather than operating as a single-product retailer, Kandy City Centre functions as a multi-tenant marketplace and destination complex serving local residents, businesses and visitors to the city. Publicly available reference material does not establish a current corporate parent, listed status, financial performance, or a complete roster of current executives.

Kandy City Centre was developed on a roughly five-hectare site in central Kandy that had previously contained buildings occupied by Walker Sons and Company, a cinema and other stores. The site was cleared in 1993, when construction of the planned commercial complex began. The project encountered a prolonged interruption, and construction was abandoned in 1998. Work resumed in 2003, allowing the building to be completed in 2005. The complex was not formally opened until December 2008. The development was conceived by Thusitha Wijayasena and undertaken through Property Finance and Investments Kandy (Pvt) Ltd. Its architectural team consisted of AMC Architects of Singapore, working with Sri Lankan firm ADV Consultants. Maga Engineering was responsible for construction. The building was designed to provide modern commercial facilities while responding to Kandy's architectural and cultural context. Its location near the Temple of the Tooth Relic gives it a prominent position within one of Sri Lanka's most visited and historically significant cities. Kandy City Centre is a ten-storey complex with an unusual arrangement adapted to the local site. Six floors have direct road access, and the building includes an underground floor, an early feature for a Sri Lankan commercial building. The project received flagship status from the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and is identified as a Board of Investment-approved flagship project. The centre's program is broader than conventional retail. It accommodates leading banks, a fully equipped supermarket, restaurants, a cinema complex, an entertainment area, a multi-cuisine food court, a bookstore, florists, local and international clothing stores, perfume retailers, an Ayurveda facility and outlets or stalls associated with leading Sri Lankan companies. The building has fourteen elevators, approximately 2,000 telephone lines, a full-time 3-megawatt backup power system and a modern security installation. Vehicle access is supported by a five-level car park outside the principal building. The facility is managed separately by the Kandy Municipal Council and is described in reference material as the largest car park in Kandy. Together, the mall, its service tenants and the parking facility created a significant mixed-use destination for residents, businesses and visitors. Public references do not provide reliable information on current ownership arrangements, revenue, listing status or present management personnel.

• 2008

  Formal opening

  [1]Kandy City Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Kandy City Centre formally opened in December as a ten-storey retail and commercial complex.

• 2005

  Building completed

  [1]Kandy City Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The physical construction of the complex was completed, although formal opening followed later.

• 2003

  Construction resumes

  [1]Kandy City Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Construction recommenced after the project had been dormant for approximately four years.

• 1998

  Construction is suspended

  [1]Kandy City Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Work on the project was abandoned, beginning a multiyear interruption in the development schedule.

• 1993

  Construction begins

  [1]Kandy City Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The development site was cleared and construction of the planned commercial and retail complex began.

A modern, full-service urban shopping and entertainment destination that combines contemporary commercial infrastructure with design references to Kandy's traditional architecture and location near the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

• Retail · 2008

  Retail and fashion stores

  The centre provides space for local and international clothing retailers, perfume stores, florists, bookstores and other specialty merchants. These stores form the conventional shopping component of the complex and are supplemented by stalls and outlets associated with leading companies in Sri Lanka.

• Food and beverage · 2008

  Food and dining facilities

  Dining facilities include modern restaurants and a multi-cuisine food court. The food offering is part of the centre's broader destination strategy, serving shoppers, workers, residents and visitors rather than functioning as a standalone restaurant brand.

• Financial services · 2008

  Banking and financial services

  Several leading banks operate within the complex, adding everyday financial services to its retail, dining and entertainment functions.

• Wellness services · 2008

  Ayurveda facility

  The centre includes an Ayurveda-related facility, extending its tenant mix into traditional wellness and personal-care services.

• 2003

  Resumption of construction after suspensionStrategy

  Background

  Construction had been abandoned in 1998, leaving the development incomplete.

  Action taken

  Work recommenced in 2003 and continued toward completion of the planned complex.

  Aftermath

  The building was completed in 2005 and formally opened in 2008.

  Source

• 1993

  Development of a major mixed-use retail complexStrategy

  Background

  The project was planned on a large cleared site in central Kandy to create a modern commercial destination near the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

  Action taken

  Property Finance and Investments Kandy undertook the development, combining retail, banking, dining, entertainment and service uses in a ten-storey building.

  Aftermath

  The project experienced a construction interruption but ultimately opened in December 2008 as one of Kandy's major shopping and services complexes.

  Source

1. 1Kandy City Centreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Kandy City Centre official websitekandycitycentre.lk