Astana is a city of the future and shopping is no exception. Shopping in the capital is currently restricted to large trade centres in the microdistricts, but things, as they say, are changing. The opening of a number of new shopping malls by early 2008 will bring a welcome addition of international brands to the capital.

Capital Partners, the Almaty-based real estate development company, wellknown for its high-end, luxury projects in Almaty and Astana, is taking the lead with the opening of the Sary Arka shopping complex in winter 2007 on Astana’s Left Bank. Sary Arka will introduce brands such as Nike, Timberland, Beauty Planet, Esprit, Adidas, and even Apple to the capital’s anxious and consumerready customers. Not only will Sary Arka be first up market mall to provide shopping relief, but will also house an eight-screen cinema and will introduce Il Patio Pizza and Planeta Sushi to Astana’s restaurant scene (two favourites among Almaty regulars). Perhaps, the most anticipated of Sary Arka’s new tenants is Hediard, the classic Parisian gourmet food and luxury gift store that is
sure to take Astana by storm.

Just beyond Sary Arka (also on the Left Bank) is the Mega Center Astana, whose opening will include a new Ramstore (the well-respected Turkish supermarket chain) that’s the place to go when in need of basic essentials.

One of the largest construction projects in Astana is Khan Shatyry, the giant transparent tent that will contain an indoor city. Located at the end of the Central Boulevard on the Left Bank and just behind the KazMunaiGas complex, Khan Shatyry is the second of Norman Foster’s colossal projects in Astana, and is set to become the world’s largest tent. It will have a 500 ft high dome and will be constructed from a material that absorbs sunlight and creates a summer-like temperature year round.

Covering an area larger than ten football stadiums, Khan Shatyry will be a city with cobbled streets and squares, and will have an urban-scale internal park, shopping and entertainment venues, a golf course, sidewalk cafés, restaurants and an indoor beach resort. With construction expected to be completed in late 2008, the residents of Astana will soon have a year round summer shopping paradise, even when it’s –30ºC outside on the snow-covered steppe.

brands. Perhaps better known, but only if you want to buy traditional kitsch (think fluorescent coloured Baiterek lighters, Golden Man key chains and Kazakh-themed shot glasses), is Talisman on Respublika (not far from the Museum of Contemporary Art).

At the time of print, there are not enough individual shops to include a separate shopping section, but get ready because we know things in Astana move faster than we can keep track of. Keep your eyes open as you pass through the capital, and in the meantime, revel in a wonderful break from consumerism…