Over 80% Leasing Rate! The First ‘Boonie Bears’ Themed Mall in the Country Set to Debut

As Urban Commercial Density Increases, People Start Paying More Attention to the “Personality” of Commercial Spaces.As urban commercial density continues to rise, people are increasingly focusing on the “character” of commercial spaces. A commercial space with an interesting soul not only means current traffic but also represents the ability to maintain a differentiated “core” within a city’s commercial landscape, where the city’s development is closely linked to its commercial stock. The upcoming commercial market in Shenzhen has drawn significant attention this year, with Bao’an Huaqiang Plaza gaining industry-wide focus since its preparation phase. On one hand, it is a large-scale complex occupying a key position in Shenzhen’s western core, Fu Hai district, acting as a pivotal element in the transformation of the shopping district. On the other hand, it is being operated by Huaqiang Commercial and will be the first “Boonie Bears” themed shopping center in China, as well as one of the few IP-based commercial projects in Shenzhen’s market. Now, as the project enters its final countdown to opening, Zhonggou Lian has conducted an in-depth investigation into its leasing progress and highlights. Let’s see how Huaqiang Commercial brings the “Boonie Bears” national IP to life and fully empowers its commercial space.A Winning Move Right from the Start: Huaqiang Commercial’s Cultural + Commercial Evolution.It’s not hard to see that many of the standout commercial projects in recent years are being led by true “multi-talented players” who possess diverse expertise beyond commercial real estate.

This indicates that “commercial +” has become a new solution for physical retail, and to some extent, confirms that cross-industry players are more likely to come up with creative, winning strategies. Huaqiang Group, a well-known Shenzhen-based enterprise with 45 years of history, has businesses spanning cultural technology, high-end electronics and information services, urban development and operation, emerging industries, and financial services. The upcoming Bao’an Huaqiang Plaza in Shenzhen represents a brand-new “cultural + commercial” exploration by its cultural technology arm, Huaqiang Fantawild, and its commercial real estate division, Huaqiang Commercial. If we had to pick a super IP from Chinese animation, Huaqiang Fantawild’s “Boonie Bears” would definitely make the list. With over 350 billion views across all series, and a domestic box office total of 7.7 billion RMB for its animated films, “Boonie Bears” has also become a favorite IP for shopping centers’ marketing collaborations. Now, this IP is being brought to life in the form of a themed shopping mall for the first time, a bold step that goes beyond breaking the dimensional wall and marks a new phase for Huaqiang Commercial.As a significant part of Huaqiang Group’s diversified strategy, Huaqiang Commercial has expanded across nine provinces and cities in China, with over 20 commercial projects completed, under construction, or in planning, totaling over 1 million square meters of commercial space. It has gradually formed several product lines, such as Huaqiang Center (core business district), Huaqiang Plaza (urban leisure shopping centers), Huaqiang New World (cultural and entertainment themed districts), and Huaqiang Le Tao Li (feature commercial streets in popular areas).

The upcoming Bao’an Huaqiang Plaza, with a floor area of 100,000 square meters, will represent its new flagship commercial project.Strategic Positioning and A Strong Gravity Pull for Themed Commercial Spaces.In the development trajectory of urban areas, certain commercial projects play the role of pioneers, uplifting the entire shopping district with large-scale, one-stop services and growing into landmarks with their strategic location. Bao’an Huaqiang Plaza, located in the western core Fu Hai area of Shenzhen, stands out with its remarkable location advantages. Fu Hai, situated in the high-tech manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, is home to major companies such as DaZu Laser, Pbo Medical, and CIMC Tenda. Especially after the expansion of Qianhai, Fu Hai has become a cutting-edge area for the integration of Shenzhen and Hong Kong’s industrial and urban development, which means that, with the normalization of Hong Kong customers coming to Shenzhen, the area will attract more visitors from Hong Kong and Macau in the future.Located at the intersection of Feng Tang Avenue and Bao’an Avenue, it is just a 10-minute drive from the city’s Fu Hai West rail station and a 15-minute drive from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and the International Exhibition Center. The project is seamlessly connected to Metro Line 11, Tangkou Station, making it easily accessible from major areas like Bao’an, Nanshan, and Futian via subway lines, making it a true TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) commercial center.

Creating a Unique “Boonie Bears” Themed Mall with IP-Driven Experiences.In the current era of “micro-vacations” becoming a new urban lifestyle, Huaqiang Commercial’s partnership with Huaqiang Fantawild has not only added a touch of cultural tourism to the project but has also revealed that the integration of commercial and animation IP goes beyond creating selfie spots; it’s about building a more “fun” commercial paradise. The themed mall in Bao’an will feature elements that explore nature, IP integration, and more, creating a vibrant and immersive shopping environment.Bao’an Huaqiang Plaza’s 880,000 square meters of space, with 100,000 square meters dedicated to retail, spans underground and six floors above ground. Notably, the project includes a double-first-floor layout with a vertical staircase that leads directly to the fourth floor’s sky garden. This not only reserves special space for IP linkages but also provides consumers with a 24-hour outdoor “secret garden” for relaxed socializing. To reflect the spirit of protecting nature, the mall features a variety of natural-themed spaces such as the “Flower Square,” “Fantasy Gallery Tunnel,” “Fun Tree Hole,” and “Precious Yew Tree Art Installation” to evoke people’s yearning for a better life in nature.As the first “Boonie Bears” themed mall, the project also integrates iconic character sculptures of “Boonie Bears” throughout the space and strengthens consumer immersion through themed areas like the Bear Café, Boonie Bears Amusement Park (a popular children’s theme park by Fantawild), and the Qiang Ge Research Institute. With thematic zones on each floor, the mall’s diverse mix of tenants will appeal to various consumer groups, ensuring a vibrant shopping experience.

Over 80% of Leasing Completed, Major Brands Already Onboard.With its unique space design, strong ability to attract traffic from a national IP, and clear tenant planning, Bao’an Huaqiang Plaza has already received a lot of interest from top-tier brands since the start of its leasing campaign. According to reports, the mall’s leasing rate has already surpassed 80%, demonstrating the significant brand appeal of its cultural and entertainment IP. Key tenants include a wide range of offerings, from retail brands such as Urban Originals, Semir, Polo Walk, Huawei Experience Store, and OPPO to dining options like Wu Zhuang, Taier Sauerkraut Fish, and Starbucks.The project also features a range of premium services, including a high-end medical service complex and wellness brands like “Zhima Health” and “Flying Bird Fitness.” These offerings add value to the community and attract even more lifestyle-focused brands to the area.The Countdown to Opening and the Commercial Power of Huaqiang.As the countdown to opening continues, Bao’an Huaqiang Plaza demonstrates strong operational capabilities, with cultural and commercial synergy at its core. Huaqiang Commercial has exhibited its expertise by integrating cultural industry into its commercial space during pre-opening events. Notably, Huaqiang hosted a “No Boundaries · New Life” brand salon early this year, where they created immersive experiences based on the “Boonie Bears” IP. At this event, the community experienced fun, warm, and beautiful scenarios brought to life by the popular animated characters.Once the project opens, the “Boonie Bears” IP will continue to co-create new experiences with the mall and its tenants, extending across scenes, theme parks, branded collaborations, film operations, and media promotions, continuously enriching the emotional value for consumers. This constant stream of content will give Bao’an Huaqiang Plaza a competitive edge, as it accelerates the pace of development for Shenzhen’s western commercial sector.