Chennai is on the brink of a retail revolution with the impending completion of Forum One OMR, a colossal shopping destination poised to redefine the city’s commercial and cultural fabric. Spanning an impressive 19.6 lakh square feet, this development by the Prestige Group is set to become Chennai’s largest mall upon its anticipated opening in 2027.
Strategically located along the bustling Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) corridor in Perungudi, Forum One OMR is designed to cater to the city’s growing demand for premium retail experiences. The mall will feature five expansive floors and two basement levels, housing over 300 retail stores, a 1,781-seat multiplex cinema, and a 166-room hotel. Anchor tenants such as Westside and Lifestyle will be complemented by specialty retailers like RMKV Silks and FabIndia, offering a diverse shopping experience. Beyond shopping, Forum One OMR aims to be a cultural hub, hosting art exhibitions, fashion weeks, and live concerts. The mall is also committed to providing a comprehensive customer experience with amenities including 24/7 security, wheelchair access, prayer rooms, and even a shoe repair service.
In a parallel development, the Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development Department is constructing a striking 22-storey twin-tower complex in Ashok Nagar. This project, featuring a 24,000 square foot mall at its base, represents a unique public-private model, combining luxury apartments with premium retail space. The development’s distinctive wine glass-shaped design has become a local landmark near Ashok Pillar. With 17 floors already completed, the project is expected to be completed within three years. These developments reflect Chennai’s evolving urban identity and competing visions for its retail future. Forum One OMR caters to the affluent IT corridor demographic, while Ashok Nagar’s complex serves traditional residential communities. Real estate analysts predict that Forum One OMR alone could generate over 15,000 jobs and attract 40,000 daily visitors, potentially shifting the city’s commercial center of gravity southward.
However, challenges loom as these projects near completion. Urban planners are assessing OMR’s infrastructure capacity to handle increased traffic, while retailers debate whether Chennai’s market can sustain two mega-malls simultaneously. As construction cranes dominate both skylines, one certainty emerges: by 2027, Chennai will join the ranks of global cities boasting world-class retail destinations, setting new benchmarks for India’s urban development narrative. The race to become Chennai’s definitive retail hub has entered its final lap, with the city’s shoppers poised to emerge as the ultimate winners.
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