|
Post by juanmiguel on Oct 18, 2015 17:49:56 GMT -5
Cento Comercial Fontanar opened in Chia on October 15, 2015. Today was it's first weekend being open and the cars were lined up. Has anyone visited this new mall?
I did but was not impressed.
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Oct 18, 2015 18:30:08 GMT -5
My wife has been there. She was impressed....in fact I think her exact words were, "It is spectacular!" No doubt she is probably more easily impressed than you juanmiguel. Was your wife impressed?
I haven't been yet but I have a trip to Chia tomorrow so I suppose my wife is going to want to take me to have a look.
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Oct 18, 2015 18:35:35 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Oct 18, 2015 18:36:24 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Oct 18, 2015 18:38:17 GMT -5
Fontanar Centro Comercial
Bogotá, Colombia
Fontanar is a new 3-level commercial center nestled within the rural landscape of Chia, a suburb city of Bogotá, Colombia. This covered mall is the initial phase of a mixed use site that will later include a boutique hotel, office tower, additional retail and significant public parklands. The mall will include a 10-screen state-of-the-art Cineplex, a Hypermarket, two fashion retail anchors, a health club and a full range of food and beverage offerings.
www.ddg-usa.com/Projects/RT-Fontanar/Project.html
|
|
|
Post by juanmiguel on Oct 18, 2015 18:52:32 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by dandl93 on Oct 18, 2015 19:04:00 GMT -5
I am not a mall person but does any one know for sure yet if they do plan on building a Price Smart in that area?
|
|
|
Post by gallito on Oct 19, 2015 11:15:06 GMT -5
iT's another mall;Colombians embracing new ways to waste money...it's a sad way to the new world sell out.
|
|
|
Post by juanmiguel on Oct 22, 2015 8:20:53 GMT -5
Decided to give it another chance and went back on Wednesday. The entire facility lost electricity 14 times while I was there. Many places still not open.
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Oct 22, 2015 8:37:48 GMT -5
juanmiguel I still haven't been there yet but I am going to be in Chia tomorrow (Friday).......maybe we can get together for lunch or a coffee?
I don't know about the construction but the design is by a USA company.
DDG is an internationally renowned planning, architecture and design company unique in its ability to deliver dynamic, extraordinary solutions to place-making in cities, towns and suburbs all over the world. With a strong history of providing superior expertise in many successful commercial endeavors notably Istinye Park in Istanbul, Turkey, the award-winning themed movie destinations of Muvico Theaters and the ICSC award-winning Easton Town Center near Columbus, Ohio the firm's successful track record is reinforced time and again with numerous awards received for designs that work in the real world. DDG will formulate the highest and best use for property, utilizing our strongest asset: creative design.
www.ddg-usa.com/about_us/main.html
My experience with architects gives me the impression that they believe 'looks' is more important than functionality.
|
|
|
Post by juanmiguel on Oct 22, 2015 9:08:50 GMT -5
Never believe a company's own advertising.
"My experience with architects gives me the impression that they believe 'looks' is more important than functionality."
I call it more flash than substance - something, in my opinion, Colombians love.
And I am willing to bet that the company got the contract based entirely on being the cheapest. In that regards to me it is like the saying that, "If you want good clean oats then you will have a pay a fair price. But if you want oats that have already been through the horse, well, they are a little cheaper."
Also note that the designers drawings do not match the final product.
Ahh and I see the company did Atlantis mall - another one that has made my top ten worst designed malls.
|
|
|
Post by gallito on Oct 23, 2015 12:49:11 GMT -5
Mall mentality suits Colombians well;todo es apariencias en Colombia...it's all about appearances and being seen.
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Oct 23, 2015 20:03:15 GMT -5
I was there today. Very flash and modern.....but have to agree with juanmiguel....NOT a very clever design. Yes, it is bright and airy but huge amounts of wasted space. It will certainly be an upper middle class magnet. Lots of very expensive clothing stores and you can even buy a new Porsche or BMW while your wife is spending a couple of milliones on a new outfit.
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Oct 24, 2015 19:05:03 GMT -5
This a photo of a mall from 1960's Australia. Notice how the escalators are next to each other? You can go up 3 floors by only walking a few metres.........and if you decide you want to go down you only have to walk about 25 metres.
The escalator system at Fontanar is designed to make you walk past every shop on that level before you can go up or down to the next level.
|
|
|
Post by scumbuster on Oct 25, 2015 11:41:07 GMT -5
There were rumors there would be a Price Smart in the mall. Was there one there? It certainly would make it convenient for us Pacho inhabitance.
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Oct 25, 2015 12:39:58 GMT -5
There isn't one there and I had a look on the Pricesmart website and there is no mention of any new outlet anywhere in Colombia. I think that rumour started in Pacho jajajajajajaja
|
|
|
Post by barrumundi on Oct 25, 2015 15:04:44 GMT -5
Just heard a new rumour: Fontanar is owned by El Corral.
|
|
|
Post by gallito on Oct 25, 2015 15:59:29 GMT -5
Chia is attracting developers ;with the new mall it's turning into a upper middle class suburbia.The Sabana farm land is being swallowed up in its wake.
|
|
|
Post by juanmiguel on Oct 25, 2015 18:25:02 GMT -5
barrumundi - you are spot on about the escalators. We both know the reason they did it that way. But why to design against the customer. Notice that in the architect rendering that the up and down escalators are next to each other. Was it Colombians who made the changes?
|
|