Easter Garden at Trafford Centre

How shopping mall refurbishment drives placemaking. 

Since opening in 1998, Manchester’s Trafford Centre has grown into one of the UK’s largest and most recognisable retail and leisure destinations. With over 200 shops, restaurants, and attractions, and more than 30 million annual visitors, the retail centre is a place of constant activity and movement. The shopping mall's distinctive architecture, theatrical interiors, and diverse mix of retail, dining, and entertainment have shaped its strongly recognisable identity for nearly three decades. 

Eastern Garden is part of one of the shopping mall's main dining areas, Upper Orient, known for its thematic design inspired by Eastern culture. Design International was appointed to refresh the area, with the aim of creating a more contemporary and engaging meeting place for the community within the existing space, while remaining true to Trafford Centre's essence and distinctive character.  

The reimagined space takes visitors through a series of dining areas, using natural elements and materials to create a sense of calm and relaxation within the wider energy of the mall. East Asian features like a welcoming moon gate, hanging lanterns, and elements of Kintsugi are combined with contemporary detailing, geometry, and planting to create a balance between tradition and modernity throughout the space. As a focal point, the design accentuates the existing skylight, framing a cherry blossom installation that uses natural light to create a dynamic dining atmosphere. The result is a revitalised dining environment that responds to the existing character of Trafford Centre while giving Eastern Garden a distinct contemporary identity.