Entertainment + Culture Advisors (ECA), a global advisory firm that is focused on strategy, market analysis, feasibility and business planning for destination entertainment and cultural developments, is working with Bharti Realty Ltd., a leading Indian business conglomerate, real estate and mall developer on the planned Global Business District (GBD) at Aerocity, New Delhi. This will be the first and largest retail entertainment destination in India when it opens in 2026.
The attractiveness of Delhi Aerocity is poised to influence Global Business Districts’ rankings* with its urban environment comprising an integrated business, entertainment, and retail destination of the future.
ECA is the strategic entertainment advisor on overall attraction/entertainment development strategy (options), business planning and feasibility study. FORREC, a leading entertainment design specialist, is also advising on transformative guest experiences for location-based entertainment (LBE) at this GBD.
Gateway to the new India
The development, which is positioned as the ‘Gateway to the new India’, will be a globally recognised entertainment and retail destination with several attractions and a mix of never-seen-before brands, IPs, and experiences.
With the largest indoor branded entertainment venue, family attractions, and immersive experiences, this mega development is destined to become a landmark destination in Asia, similar to Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore and the upcoming 11 SKIES in Hong Kong.
GBD Aerocity is next to IG International Airport, which connects over 140 domestic and international destinations and records annual traffic of around 70 million passengers. GBD Aerocity is already a leading business, leisure, and entertainment destination with office spaces, world-class hospitality, F&B brands, and a vibrant urban environment.
Modelled on the smart city concept, GBD Aerocity offers safe and walkable districts with multimodal connectivity, open spaces, and modern amenities. Designed to ensure low environmental impact, it encourages resource conservation.
The already operational Hospitality District is home to Worldmark assets delivered by Bharti, as well as 11 established international hotel groups including JW Marriott, Accor, and Andaz by Hyatt.
The new development will feature around 500,000 square feet of space dedicated to branded entertainment and experience-based concepts, alongside a multiplex cinema and several restaurants as the key anchors to the mall. There will be luxury, bridge-to-luxury, and family shopping avenues. It is located close to the millennium city Gurugram with excellent transport connections. The immediate catchment of GBD Aerocity comprises over 75 million people each year, including national and international passengers, visiting crowds, and working professionals.
An exceptional global experience
“A Global Business District merits a compelling narrative at multiple levels right from strategic national relevance to multimodal connectivity, an exceptional mix of global brands and MNCs, integrated spaces, art, culture and new age readiness with technology, innovation and at the same time sustainability at its core,” says Sushil Kumar Sayal, MD & CEO of Bharti Realty.
“Our endeavour to get the first and the largest indoor entertainment destination is a testament to our commitment to bring an exceptional global experience to India and open the gates for businesses around the world”
ECA is also advising on entertainment strategy, business planning, brands/IPS and feasibility of specific concepts for another mega retailtainment complex – the 11 SKIES retail entertainment destination in SkyCity, an integrated business and entertainment complex adjacent to Hong Kong International Airport.
Operated by K11, the HK$20 billion project from New World Development will feature eight world-class attractions, with the first four set to open from late 2023 through early 2024. Once open, 11 SKIES will be the city’s largest retail and entertainment destination. Attractions will include Hong Kong’s first 4D flying theatre, the first KidZania in Greater China, a Paddington-themed play experience, and an immersive art experience.
This year, ECA and blooloop announced the new Global Attractions Landscape – a new resource to navigate a diverse, dynamic and interconnected attractions industry.
*Attractiveness of GBD: EY Report 2020
