(1 June 2024, Macau) M8, the Oval Partnership’s record-breaking and multi-award-winning revitalisation project, is slated to open in Macau in Q3 of 2024. Situated in the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macau and a 50-metre walk from Senado Square, M8 is the city’s latest lifestyle retail destination that serves to promote cultural tourism in Macau through the development of a harmonised mixed-use urban cultural quarter.
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The Oval Partnership has been at the helm of the project’s master planning,
architecture and interior design, bringing to life a cultural and commercial landmark that evokes an authentic sense of place with inspirations from the city’s rich heritage and stories of the past. With a spatial layout that draws cues from surrounding local heritage buildings, the nine-storey mall—three storeys of basement and six storeys of retail space across a Gross Floor Area of 7,426m2—welcomes visitors through its sculptural entrances that lead to an inviting, open-plan hall. The central escalator hall seamlessly connects shops, events, exhibitions and restaurants on each floor. Visitors are greeted with magnificent views of Macau’s local streets as they ascend to the rooftop garden, which also offers a space for events and cultural celebrations.
At the intersection of modernity and history, the building’s rhythmic, sculptural form responds to its neighbouring context with fluidity and harmony, visually weaving together other notable landmarks, such as the famed Ruins of St. Paul’s, with intimate historical streets and laneways while nodding to Portuguese and Chinese architectural traditions. Paying homage to Macau’s architectural vernacular, recycled materials have been thoughtfully incorporated into its designs in innovative ways; a congruent terrazzo palette can also be seen in both the building’s interior and exterior
spaces.
The project team actively made green choices in design and material selection, which include the use of thermal insulation boards to reduce energy consumption of airconditioning; openable glass doors made of insulating glass units and cold bridge window frames to reduce indoor power consumption; an exterior green wall to reduce the heat island effect; and a building management system (BMS) to control indoor MEP equipment such as water, electricity, air conditioning, fire protection systems and elevator systems to effectively reduce energy use and achieve low-carbon emission needs.
Even before its opening, the M8 project has garnered numerous accolades and international awards. Most notably, M8 now holds the Guinness World Record for the largest curved stone-laminated glass, measuring an impressive 20.4504 square metres. A testament to the project team’s pioneering approach to technology and manufacturing, this translucent stone façade—created by sandwiching a 1.5mm translucent stone within laminated glass—enables the transmittance of natural light into indoor spaces, adding a charming stateliness during the day. As the sun sets, it captivates those on an evening walk outside the structure with a serene luminescence and an enchanting rhythm of light. This resonates with Macau’s urban charisma and unique aesthetics, while further enhancing the overall visitor experience.
‘‘We are deeply honoured to have the opportunity to co-create with a wealth of talented local and international experts in crafting this unique UNESCO-designed destination – a canvas upon which the evolving cultural neighbourhood shall cultivate many captivating stories for the years to come.’ says Justin Lau, Project Director at The Oval Partnership.
At the intersection of modernity and history, this revitalised UNESCO site combines thoughtful and responsible design choices inspired by Macau’s history and culture with cutting-edge technology and innovation. Set to open for visitors from [date], M8 promises to be Macau’s celebrated social and cultural hub where locals and travelers alike can immerse themselves in the city’s rich cultural heritage and dynamic atmosphere.
List of Awards
- Winner of Best Retail Development (Hong Kong and Macau) – PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards
- Winner of Best Retail Development (Asia) – PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards
- Winner of Best Landmark Development (Hong Kong and Macau) – PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards
- Winner of the International Safety Award 2023 by the British Safety Council
- Silver Award of Accidents Health & Safety Awards – Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
