Can Maryland Mall Rub Shoulders With Ikeja Mall?

The construction of the iconic Maryland Mall nicknamed “The Big Black Box” began in September 2014, and was opened to the general public on the 28^th day of June, 2016 after its commissioning by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state.

It’s no longer news that we now have a new grand mall on the mainland. Remember that sometimes this year Festival mall at Amuwo Odofin sprang up but not so much noise was made about it compared to the buzz that came with the Maryland Mall.

Maryland Mall’s proximity to the Ikeja City Mall has led to people asking questions about the possibility of a reduction in the crowd that troop in and out of the Ikeja Mall. But the big question is; “Will the new mall at Maryland really have any effect on the Ikeja City Mall?”

Truth be told, Maryland Mall is no-where close to Ikeja City Mall in terms of size, structure and maybe architectural design. The size of the main parking lot may be proof that the stakeholders at the Maryland Mall are fully aware of the competition at Alausa. Hence, there is provision for parking spaces at the basement for over 200 cars. This would make it the first purpose built basement parking for an urban built retail centre in Nigeria.

Having said that, is it then right to say Maryland mall would be able to stand the heat in the kitchen side by side with Ikeja City Mall? Can it even rub shoulders with Ikeja Mall talk less being a threat?

In addition, the mall has a number of facilities inherent at the IKeja Mall when it comes to shopping and entertainment. So, residents of Maryland and environs do not really stand to lose anything if they decide to frequent it more than the Ikeja Mall. They may as well forget about the mall at Ikeja, except for die-hard fans of the Silverbird Cinemas which is conspicuously missing from the new Maryland mall.

However, even that is being replaced by the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, while Shoprite completes its relevance.

The mall also plays host to Stanbic IBTC Bank, a DSTV retail outlet, Axa Mansard, Chicken Republic, Barcelos, Samsung, Tecno mobile, Sweet Kiwi, Playzone, 3 Zees Restaurant and Bar, and the first ever purpose built skating rink in Nigeria, Skate City.

Other tenants include;  Lifemate Furniture, Medplus Pharmacy, Montaigne Place, Twice as Nice, Little weavers, Tesla Mobile, Asset Chemist, Plug Devices, Nett Pharmacy, Baker Street, Okele, Shuttle, Smoothies, Oliver Twist, Euphoria, LAX, Babybliss and Bollywood Hair.

The fact that the Maryland Mall is strategically located could make it a crowd puller, but if we were to compare the size to that of the Ikeja Mall, would it live up to the expectations of a crowd it might not be able to fully cater for?

Maryland Mall’s proximity to major roads, banks and hotels will make it a hot-bed, no doubt. But it is said that to whom much is given much is required.

Again, it may be quite difficult for people around the Ikeja, Maryland, Ojota, and in fact the entire Ikorodu road axis to consider visiting other malls like the Ozone centre in Yaba, Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall in Surulere, Festival mall in Amuwo Odofin and just maybe the Ikeja City mall in Alausa with the introduction of the new mall.

The Mall boasts the largest LED Screen in sub-Saharan Africa. The screen which is 60 metres long is the longest in West Africa, also ensures revenues opportunity for the mall, and is unconventional with no windows, yet adequate lightning.

The Maryland mall is another feather to our cap as Lagos is set to become Africa’s real estate and retail capital.

The Mall was built by leading developer and financier, Purple Capital Partners, and was designed by Architect Tosin Osinowo