Historically, shopping malls have been synonymous with convenience: bringing together fashion, entertainment, and dining under one roof. Today, the focus has shifted toward ecosystems, where every space serves the same principle: creating value beyond shopping through experiences.
This shift responds to a new culture of consumption, in which customers expect more than quick transactions; they seek places that provide purpose, entertainment, well-being, and a sense of belonging.
In a landscape where digitalization is redefining consumption and shoppers are looking for more authentic experiences, the shopping mall—specifically the Lifestyle Center format—emerges as a living environment designed to connect with emotions, the senses, and community life.
A format setting the pace
Developers and investors have identified Lifestyle Centers as spaces with strong potential to attract consumers in consolidated urban areas, as well as to revitalize previously overlooked districts by transforming them into hubs of commercial activity.
According to figures from the Asociación de Desarrolladores Inmobiliarios (ADI), Lifestyle and open-air formats in Mexico have grown by more than 25% over the past five years.
Examples of this can be found in areas such as Miguel Hidalgo in Mexico City or San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León. According to reports from Datoz, in Polanco, the weighted average rental price stands at 774 MXN/m²/month, reflecting the area’s high demand.
San Pedro, on the other hand, offers a much broader supply, with 86 spaces across 31 buildings and an average rental rate of 465 MXN/m²/month, making it one of the most competitive markets in northern Mexico.
In western Mexico, Guadalajara has positioned itself as a strategic destination for Lifestyle formats, with 66 spaces across 12 buildings and an average rental rate of 227 MXN/m²/month, offering more accessible options compared to other cities.
Zapopan presents an even larger scale, with 215 spaces in 46 buildings and an average rental rate of 243 MXN/m²/month, making it a strategic counterpart that complements Guadalajara’s commercial dynamics.
Brands: the key to success and positioning
In most cases, investments in commercial environments have targeted higher socioeconomic levels. This is largely due to the brand selection within the retail mix, as their presence determines whether a development is perceived as aspirational, a convenience hub, or a true lifestyle destination.
The Mexican market confirms this trend: by the end of July 2025, the country had welcomed 10 new international chains in the fast fashion and designer apparel segments, surpassing the total of 9 that entered in 2024.
The rise of this format represents a step forward in the evolution of retail real estate, but it also raises questions about today’s consumers and their relationship with brands.
The key, then, is not simply to replicate the model, but to envision each project as an integrated ecosystem: well-designed infrastructure, open community spaces, and a balanced mix of global brands and local businesses.
Only in this way can shopping centers avoid becoming isolated luxury islands and instead transform into true community hubs, fostering emotional connections both with brands and the urban environment itself. Lifestyle Centers represent the natural evolution of the shopping mall: open spaces designed to deliver enriching consumer experiences.
The major challenge for developers lies in balancing profitability with the creation of spaces that generate social value through hybrid strategies. Therefore, the priority must be to focus on integrated experiences, attractive retail mixes, and flexible formats that can adapt to a constantly evolving environment.
Want to know which commercial projects are setting the trend in Mexico? Request a Datoz demo.
