This undated photo shows the new Taikoo Li Qiantan commercial complex developed by Swire Properties, which includes the Grade-A office tower New Bund Center, and the Shangri-La Qiantan, developed by Lujiazui Group. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Swire Properties marked a new milestone last week when it opened a wellness-themed retail venture in Shanghai, its sixth project in the Chinese mainland.

Taikoo Li Qiantan, a wellness-themed retail venture of 250 shops, including luxury brands such as Cartier, Dior, and Louis Vuitton, opened in the prime Qiantan International Business District of Shanghai on Thursday.

Swire Properties launched the project in partnership with Shanghai Lujiazui Development (Group) Company, which is fully owned by the Pudong district government.

The complex is the third Taikoo Li project in the Chinese mainland following Taikoo Li Sanlitun in Beijing, and Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu. It has a gross floor area of about 120,000 square meters and adopts an open-plan architectural layout with staggered alleys

For Hong Kong-listed Swire Properties, the complex is the third Taikoo Li project in the Chinese mainland following Taikoo Li Sanlitun in Beijing, and Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li Chengdu. It has a gross floor area of about 120,000 square meters and adopts an open-plan architectural layout with staggered alleys.

This project also reflects the “placemaking’’ approach that Swire Properties adopts in its projects. In a study, Swire Properties identified four key determinants of a great location - vibrancy, livelihood, wellbeing, and resilience – to help inform future development decisions.

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Taikoo Li Qiantan is part of a commercial complex, which also includes a Grade-A office tower New Bund Center, and the Shangri-La Qiantan, developed by Lujiazui Group.

Xu Erjin, General Manager of Shanghai Lujiazui Group, said the Qiantan International Business District has “a visionary plan to combine quality commercial, residential, sports, cultural, educational and leisure resources.’’

Xu is confident that the new landmark “will not only redefine how a beautiful lifestyle is interpreted by customers in Qiantan, or the city, but also become a vibrant city landmark that reinforces Qiantan's position as an international commercial hub.’’

Swire Properties Chief Executive, Tim Blackburn, said Shanghai is a city of great significance to the group, “as the place where the Swire Group first set down roots in the Chinese mainland over 150 years ago.’’

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Fifty brands are opening their first stores in the complex in Pudong, Swire Properties said.

The Pudong New Area Government also launched the “Global Consumer Brand Gathering Plan, New Landmark and First Stores’’ to coincide with opening of Taikoo Lo Qiantan on September 29.