The shopping area in Xinzhuang town, Shanghai's Minhang district, is set to undergo a fresh round of upgrades, as two major shopping destinations announce new openings ahead of the Spring Festival.

TODTOWN Mall, a large-scale retail complex above Xinzhuang Station on metro lines 1 and 5, has confirmed that its new southern-zone space, SOCIATER, will open by the end of January. Meanwhile, nearby Sky Mall+, a long-established shopping center with 15 years of operation, is nearing the completion of a major renovation carried out without suspending its business.

Together, the two openings reflect a changing retail landscape in Xinzhuang, where shopping is increasingly integrated with dining, culture, and social experiences.

TODTOWN Mall introduces a theater-style retail experience

SOCIATER, spanning the fourth and fifth floors of TODTOWN Mall, is designed as a hybrid space of dining, social interaction, and live performance.

The space features a multi-level open layout, large screens, professional lighting, and sound systems, as well as a sculptural spiral staircase that connects different zones.

Some restaurants on the upper level are designed like theater-style private boxes, allowing diners to enjoy their meals while watching live performances below.

According to the operator, SOCIATER plans to host a rotating program of stand-up comedy, live music, weekend craft workshops, and art pop-up events. Performances are intended to be part of the everyday experience, encouraging spontaneous interaction between audiences and performers.

Sky Mall+ completes major upgrades without closing

Just across Xinzhuang Station's South Square, Sky Mall+ is finalizing a 15-month renovation, with several key spaces set to open before Spring Festival.

At the basement level, newly built sunken plazas on both the north and south sides are close to completion, bringing in more natural light and creating outdoor-style social areas within the mall. The south plaza will introduce a popular "day coffee, night bar" concept, catering to changing urban lifestyles.

Large retail spaces once occupied by Carrefour and B&Q have been completely reworked. The former home-improvement outlet has been transformed into Sky High, a double-height themed street inspired by Southeast Asian aesthetics and anime culture. The former hypermarket space will soon welcome a much-anticipated membership-based supermarket.

Earlier phases of the renovation have already introduced new rooftop facilities, including a sports and social club featuring Shanghai's first open-air pink tennis court.

Sources: Shanghai Observer; WeChat account of Minhang district and Xiaohongshu account of Sky Mall+