New Town Plaza
| Company type | Shopping mall |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Sun Hung Kai Properties |
| Headquarters | Sha Tin , Hong Kong |
Area served | Hong Kong New Territories |
| Owner | Sun Hung Kai Properties |
| Website | www |
New Town Plaza stands as a prominent shopping destination situated in the heart of Sha Tin, Hong Kong. Developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties, it was recognized as the largest retail complex in the New Territories when it opened in the early 1980s. Covering an area of 200,000 square metres (49.4 acres), the plaza comprises Phase 1 (the principal mall) and Phase 3, which are interconnected, along with the Grand Central Plaza located less than one kilometre away. Between 2003 and 2008, Phase 1 experienced a major refurbishment.
This nine-level structure is positioned next to Sha Tin station and Citylink Plaza, ranking among Hong Kong's most frequented shopping centres. It enjoys excellent transportation connections, including shuttle buses serving nearby residential areas, various minibus lines, and direct entry to the MTR station within the complex.
Phase 1
- LB: Play Park
- UB: Play Park
- Level 1: MOVIE TOWN Cinema and dining options
- Level 2: c!ty'super, Uniqlo, Beauty & Health Care outlets
- Level 3: Luxury & Beauty brands, Fashion, Cosmetics such as agnès b., Bally, Coach, American Eagle, ZARA, Tommy Hilfiger, SaSa, plus a rooftop garden featuring a pet play area
- Level 4: Fashion & Accessories stores including Apple Store, IT, G2000, and H&M
- Level 5: Trendy, Casual & Sports Apparel with an additional rooftop garden
- Level 6: Electronics hub hosting Fortress, DG Lifestyle, Broadway, Suning, AV Life
- Level 7: THE MENU@Level 7 dining area, CD shop, and a rooftop garden with a musical fountain
- Level 8: Maxim's Chinese Restaurant
- Level 9: Rooftop garden
Phase 3
New Town Plaza Phase 3 () is a private residential estate combined with a three-level shopping arcade comprising five high-rise towers built between 1990 and 1991. It underwent comprehensive renovations from 2017 to 2019 to enlarge retail space; notably, the atrium connecting Levels 1 and 2 was removed.
Layout after renovation:
- Level 1: Yata () Department Store and drop-off zone
- Level 2: Toys "R" Us, Commercial Press, MUJI, children's apparel and various shops
- Level 3: Decathlon, Foot Locker, GU, cosmetics outlets and dining establishments
Layout before renovation:
- Level 1: Toys "R" Us, Commercial Press, children's clothing and assorted shops with drop-off area
- Level 2: Yata Department Store
- Level 3: Yata supermarket and food court alongside fashion and cosmetic retailers
Grand Central Plaza
The Grand Central Plaza complex () houses HomeSquare shopping mall.
- Levels 1–3: Furniture stores
- Levels 5 & 6: Hong Kong’s flagship IKEA outlet featuring a Swedish restaurant
Snoopy's World
Situated on the podium of Level 3 in Phase 1, "Snoopy's World" () is Asia’s inaugural Peanuts themed outdoor playground, inaugurated on September 1, 2000.
Main Attractions at Snoopy's World
- Doghouse Entry: Snoopy’s House
- School Plaza: Peanuts Academy
- Boating Canal: Canoe Ride experience
- Baseball Playground: Peanuts Dugout
- Mini Town Area: Peanuts Boulevard
- Covered Sitting Pavilion: Party Pavilion
Musical Fountain
Once a signature attraction and recognized as Asia’s largest musical fountain located in the center of Level 3 at New Town Plaza Phase 1, it was dismantled in August 2004. By November 2005, it was reconstructed on the rooftop garden of Level 7. The fountain ceased operations in 2015, coinciding with the mall’s celebration of its 30th anniversary.
Adjacent Shopping Complexes
- New Town Plaza Phase 3 ()
- Grand Central Plaza ()
- Citylink Plaza ()
- Shatin Centre ()
- Shatin Plaza ()
- Lucky Plaza ()
- Wai Wah Centre ()
- Hilton Plaza ()
Nearby Amenities
- Sha Tin Town Hall ()
- Sha Tin Public Library ()
- Sha Tin Marriage Registry ()
- Sha Tin Park ()
- Royal Park Hotel (), developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties, is regarded as the second phase of New Town Plaza. It functioned as the Olympic Village for Hong Kong athletes during the Beijing Olympics 2008.
Role During the 2019 Anti-ELAB Protests
New Town Plaza became a significant site amid the Anti-ELAB movement. On 14 July, a peaceful demonstration in Sha Tin escalated into confrontations when protesters were contained inside the mall. Sun Hung Kai Properties came under criticism for allowing police access without proper clearance.
Throughout September 2019, demonstrators frequently assembled in shopping centers to perform Glory to Hong Kong. On 11 September, approximately 1,000 individuals united in song at New Town Plaza, mirroring similar events held across various malls in Hong Kong.