Saturday, August 16, 2003

Thousands turn up at the new Ikea



By THOMAS HUONG


http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2003/8/p21Ikea.jpg


The new IKEA Mutiara Damansara is not only the biggest home furnishing store in Malaysia, at 35,811 square meters, it is also the biggest IKEA store in Asia.

It opened its doors on Aug 14 with a traditional Swedish log sawing ceremony and lots of fun activities.

These included lucky draws where members of the public stood to win the two grand prizes of a dining set and living room set worth RM3,000 each.

With the first 1,000 early birds getting free gifts and IKEA product vouchers, it wasn’t surprising that thousands of visitors swarmed the RM180mil store, causing a massive traffic jam on the Damansara Puchong Highway (LDP) leading to the turn-off into Mutiara Damansara.


The event was attended by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, chairman of IKEA/IKANO Group of Companies Hans Goran Stennert and Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia Bruno Beijer.

“With this new store, we expect an increase of 50% in visitor turnout as we used to receive two to three million visitors annually at the previous store,” said Stennert.

He said IKEA Mutiara Damansara had more than 450 staff to attend to visitors’ needs.

“This store is strategically located as it forms part of the shopping and commercial belt comprising the CURVE, Cineleisure Damansara, Tesco Hyper-market and Mutiara Damansara corporate offices,” said Najib.

The new store offers home furnishing ideas in the form of 54 room settings including bedroom, living rooms, kitchens, work areas, children’s rooms and bathrooms.

There are also furnishing options for four “typical lifestyle” homes, including a three-bedroom terrace house.

There are over 7,000 items to choose from including sofas, beds, tables, chairs, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, textiles, kitchen utensils, lighting, carpets and bath accessories.

The 184th store in the successful chain of IKEA stores worldwide, it also places heavy emphasis on children with lively kiddie room settings and interactive playing in the children’s department.

http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2003/8/p21trafficJam.jpg
Crawling all the way to Ikea.


Parents can leave their little ones in IKEA’s Smaland (Swedish for “magic forest”) where children engage in activities such as painting, drawing, simple carpentry tasks or relax at the little video viewing centre.

Eight IKEA co-workers will take care of the children and in case of emergencies, Smaland is equipped with first-aid kits, storage and special kiddie toilets.

Tired shoppers can relax and stop for meals and Swedish coffee at a 450-seat restaurant, two smaller cafes or a Swedish speciality shop inside the new store.

Other facilities and services available include rest areas, a nursing room, special shopping trolleys for mothers with toddlers, shopping trolleys for the disabled, a prayer room for Muslims and sewing facilities.

Mothers should appreciate the baby-changing facilities available as they are equipped with changing tables, armchairs for nursing, wash basins, waste bins and diaper vending machines.

Visitors also need not fret about parking, the store with 2,000 bays in a brightly-lit area. There’s also no fear of long queues as the store has 26 checkout counters.

IKEA Mutiara Damansara will make it even easier for customers by enabling them to drive to pick-up areas where IKEA staff will help them load their purchases into their cars.

IKEA Mutiara Damansara is open from 10am to 10pm daily. For details, log on to www.ikea.com.

Wah, so many people!!!! I also heard from the radio that the road to Mutiara Damansara always jams every hour. Are you among those thousands szehoong :D

actually.. the road to ikea also not fully completed.. i had to drive and turn to the other side of the building (nyaris tak masuk tesco next to it) for the entrance..

it's very big.. very penat to walk around.. the showroom takes large portion of the floor area, i thnik.. but the carpark is free.. :D

Originally posted by ethan

Wah, so many people!!!! I also heard from the radio that the road to Mutiara Damansara always jams every hour. Are you among those thousands szehoong :D

Haha....I am 'smart' enough not to get there on the first day. One of my friend went and said that he waited for more than an hour queueing up to pay!!! And they have like 26 payment counters! :D

Originally posted by szehoong
Haha....I am 'smart' enough not to get there on the first day. One of my friend went and said that he waited for more than an hour queueing up to pay!!! And they have like 26 payment counters! :D

have you been to the asia largest Ikea sezhoong???? how about the curve. when the project will be finished and open to public????

Originally posted by archilless

actually.. the road to ikea also not fully completed.. i had to drive and turn to the other side of the building (nyaris tak masuk tesco next to it) for the entrance..

it's very big.. very penat to walk around.. the showroom takes large portion of the floor area, i thnik.. but the carpark is free.. :D

YEA....Just went there yesterday early evening (to avoid crowd!).

The upper storey is the showroom and the lower storey is the storage and goods area so I think same size lar....just one upper floor and the other lower floor ;)

yea.....my leg feels like giving way after the showroom section!!! The place is just HUGE!!!

Hopefully the carpark would remain free....they are testing some carpark system yesterday but still free lar! And they certainly needs improvement on the access roads. I can't imagine the Sunday traffic!!! :D

Now only Tesco and Ikea. Next year, there would be The Curve (an outdoor/open mall just opposite Ikea) and the Ikea Phase 2 extention! I just can't imagine the crowd then........:)

Originally posted by szehoong
YEA....Just went there yesterday early evening (to avoid crowd!).

The upper storey is the showroom and the lower storey is the storage and goods area so I think same size lar....just one upper floor and the other lower floor ;)

yea.....my leg feels like giving way after the showroom section!!! The place is just HUGE!!!

Hopefully the carpark would remain free....they are testing some carpark system yesterday but still free lar! And they certainly needs improvement on the access roads. I can't imagine the Sunday traffic!!! :D

Now only Tesco and Ikea. Next year, there would be The Curve (an outdoor/open mall just opposite Ikea) and the Ikea Phase 2 extention! I just can't imagine the crowd then........:)

yeahh...mutaiara damansara will be an awesome place. I also remember apart from tesco, ikea and the curve, they will also open Cineleisure cinema right???

Originally posted by ethan

yeahh...mutaiara damansara will be an awesome place. I also remember apart from tesco, ikea and the curve, they will also open Cineleisure cinema right???

Yea...forgot bout Cineleisure pulak!....wow....just looked at the development there!!! :D

Heard that HARVEY NORMAN of AUSTRALIA ( Biggest electrical and computer store in Australia ) are coming too!!! It's cool mate:D

shop till you drop hah~:D :D

The Curve

City & Country: Malaysia's first pedestrianised street mall


By Sreerema Banoo

The Klang Valley today is bloated with an estimated 91 shopping malls offering total retail space of 26 million sq ft. :eek: (Actually I think got more!) This is against a backdrop of declining growth in national retail receipts - about 4.0 per cent for 2002 from 10.4 per cent in 2000.

So, is there room for more shopping complexes? Yes, insist retail consultants, but only after detailed planning.

Obviously, innovation and creativity are the name of the game. Which explains the effort and thought put into the 13-acre retail development called The Curve in the up-and-coming 355-acre freehold Mutiara Damansara township in Petaling Jaya.

To be developed at a cost of RM260 million (excluding land cost), the 700,000 sq ft lifestyle shopping centre will have 220 outlets with sizes ranging from 300 to 15,000 sq ft (average 1,400 sq ft). Naturally, the developer, Mutiara Rini Sdn Bhd (also developer of the township), is pleased with what it says is Malaysia's first planned specialty shopping centre, which does away with a conventional departmental store as its anchor. Instead, The Curve is anchored by home furnishing retailer Ikea, hypermarket Tesco and Cineleisure Damansara, all of which are located around it.

From the start, it was the developer's aim that The Curve, targeted to be opened in October next year, house specialty stores instead of large departmental stores.

Regroup Associates managing director Allan Soo says although the address offers a large captive market, it lacks food outlets. Bangsar is seen as the best alternative (as a food destination) but it has problems like parking and traffic. (Regroup Associates is the consultant for the Mutiara Damansara development.)
Still, just a stone's throw away from Mutiara Damansara is the popular and expanding 1 Utama shopping mall. Soo is confident the area can support yet another retail development. Last year, the estimated population within a 10-minute drive from the township was 350,000. The good news for the developer is that 71 per cent of these are from the middle-income group and another 18 per cent the upper-income group. In fact, the area boasts the highest density of middle- to upper-income population in Malaysia located within a 10-minute drive.


Not another box

Contrary to general market opionion, Soo discounts competition between The Curve and 1 Utama. He says surveys conducted in Bangsar, Sri Hartamas, Bintang Walk and Mid Valley Boulevard revealed that the optimal number of food and beverage (F&B) outlets was 80.

The Curve, he says, will be the first shopping mall where al fresco dining will be a major draw. A third of the outlets will comprise F&B outlets compared with 15 per cent in conventional shopping centres. Fashion stores will make up 40 per cent of the outlets.
"We want points of differentiation so that The Curve not only looks different but also sells different merchandise. We want brands that are recognisable, the latest and newest in the world and have exciting new concepts," offers Soo.

He expects to sign on 20 per cent of the retailers by next month and 70 per cent by August. Some of these will be making their debut in Malaysia at The Curve, for example, Marché, a Swiss restaurant chain which is already in Singapore. "We are talking to new fashion names like Wai Pai (a European apparel brand)," says Soo, adding that about 10 per cent of the retailers will be "new names". Others, apparently, are keen to adopt new concepts for their outlets.


Street mall

The Curve's developer calls it Malaysia's "first purpose-built pedestrianised street mall". Streets are deliberately drawn closer for ambience and to create areas of permanent shade. Parking will be simple and hassle-free, with 2,400 bays and the car park will be accessible via several escalators, lifts and stairs. The developer is also spending RM14 million on a tunnel to link the Damansara-Puchong Highway to the car park at The Curve.
Although al fresco dining or even street malls are not new to Malaysia, one major concern has been the heat. To address this, The Curve's shaded al fresco dining area will be provided with cool ventilation from air-conditioning ducts. "We have designed the street environment so that it is cool enough for people to browse, shop and dine," says Soo, adding that the mall will also be planted with trees to provide shade.

Sharing the ideas of the development, he says that during the conceptualisation stage, humidity and the direction of the sun's rays were also considered.

"One of the first things we decided upon was for the shops to avoid facing the sun directly… this we achieved by aligning the shops such that they did not face west. Thus, all the shops have a north-south direction."
But what about the rain? "We are looking at water-proofing the al fresco area," says Soo.


Turnover-driven

To manage the tenant and product mix, the retail space is only available for lease. Rents will be "below market," Soo says. This is to ensure that the retailer has a shorter payback period. "With the retailers successful, we can ensure we have a long-term shopping centre," he adds.

To push retailers to perform, rents will be calculated on both base rent and rental-based turnover. "We also want to understand retailers better… we want to know what is good for the retailer and what is not," Soo says.

Acknowledging the importance of managing the centre, the developer is putting in place centre management systems where all sales analysis, collection, invoicing and reminders are automated.

Ikano Power Centre


City & Country: 'Our tenants are our partners'


If you think the buzz and excitement at the gargantuan new IKEA store in Petaling Jaya has been awesome, just wait until December.

The owner of the building where this traffic-stopper of a store is housed is raring to jazz up the local retail scene again.
At press time, the date has not been fixed but for sure before Christmas, the doors of the Ikano Power Centre will open to unveil 420,000 sq ft of net lettable retail space. The new three-level building costing a total of RM125 million (land: RM25 million; building: RM100 million) sits next to IKEA and the two buildings are linked at the basement and ground floor. Beyond the physical link lies the common ownership of the two buildings, Ikano Corp Sdn Bhd - IKEA is a tenant while Ikano Corp is also the franchise holder of IKEA Malaysia.

So, there you go, yet another mammoth mall in the Klang Valley, and with a rather unusual name, one may say. While size is a definite talking point, more significant and interesting are the strategic and innovative differentiations in store, the likes of which are unique, at least by local standards.

Imagine a 70,000 sq ft (that's more than an acre-and–a half) overseas electrical chain store whose array of goods are creatively displayed and can be viewed from a 100ft-wide frontage! Nearby, on the first floor, a home furnishing product flagship store shows off its wares over a luxurious 22,000 sq ft (just over half an acre).

Also on the first floor will be a bookstore with a display area of over 31,000 sq ft. Its neighbours will include a 28,000 sq ft studio of popular Cartoon Network characters complete with gifts, souvenirs and clothes; a 28,000 sq ft pet specialist store from Singapore; and a 23,000 sq ft food court that claims to operate with a difference.

By the way, there will be 11 of these biggies or, in retail jargon, big category killers, in the power centre. The smallest of the 11 major anchors occupy a space measuring 15,000 sq ft each while the largest is the 70,000 sq ft Australian electrical store Harvey Norman, which will be making its debut in Malaysia. Combined, the 11 major anchors will take up the bulk or 80 per cent of the 420,000 sq ft lettable space. The remaining 20 per cent will be occupied by smaller and specialist tenants, which will be located at spaces ranging from a tiny 350 sq ft to a huge 6,200 sq ft. In all, there will be 90 tenants.

At press time, 94 per cent of the space has been taken up. By the time the power centre is opened for business, Ikano expects the take-up to rise to 98 per cent.

Creativity and innovation the trump card
If the mammoth size of the largely grey and yellow wall cladding of the power centre is news to you, be prepared for more surprises.

Added to the space is a significantly wider-than-normal frontage and high ceilings that offer immense possibilities for both product display and branding, key words in the same year, the competitive retail world.

Landlord Ikano is working hand in hand with the tenants to ensure that the stores open with a bang. And that they continue to succeed.

"To us, our tenants are our partners," Ikano executive director Joseph Lau tells City & Country. "It's very simple; if they do well, we do well..."

Simple logic, no doubt. Sure, there will be duplication of products by IKEA and the Ikano Power Centre tenants.

Take Harvey Norman. Its electrical fittings will be pitched against IKEA's which, incidentally, constitute one of the key sales turnover for the Swedish furnishing retail giant now present in 184 countries. IKEA Malaysia, spread over 360,000 sq ft of lettable space, is the largest in Asia.

Lau is not fazed by the suggestion of any direct competition. He reasons: "Since we cannot stop competition, we invite them in. If they are successful, we are successful."

Then again, electrical fittings are but one of the products sold at Harvey Norman. "We see them complementing IKEA."

Lau's nonchalance is understandable. As it is, it looks like the Ikano group is in a win-win situation. This is because the tenancy rental is structured partly based on a fixed rate plus undisclosed but negotiated components such as a certain percentage of the sales revenue. Retail players will attest to the common application of such a practice that basically rests on the principle of supply and demand - in other words, who seemingly needs who more; landlord or tenant?

So, on a macro level, for the Ikano group, it's okay if customers should decide to contribute to the till of either IKEA or the power centre. Okay, as long as they spend

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: MEGA SHOPPIN METROPOLIS!!!:master: :master:

KLites sure love to shop!

Damansara, the next best thing!

got any picture??? or construction pic??

Originally posted by SEED

got any picture??? or construction pic??

Scanner not working.....can't scan the pictures in the article! :D

no construction pix........actually now still doing ground works only lar.........;)

Only can find one pic of the Cathay's Cineleisure on the net

http://www.davislangdon-asia.com/images/pictures/my/cineleisure.gif

OMG!!! thats sooooo cooooooooooool:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

wow! Can't wait!

yeh mama~ :banana: :banana: that buildin... WOW!!!:master: Thx for the pic yo!!!! :okay: hope it get build FAST!!!!!

Construction is already in full swing on The Curve building... Looks immense, as the site is much bigger than Tesco and IKEA (exc'l the Power Center) combined!

As for the CineLeisure, i think that will only open in 2005... The first component to open there was Tesco in 2002, followed by IKEA in September 2003.

IKEA really is huge! The popularity of the Swedish furniture giant is such that there is a never-ending traffic congestion going into that place...

Originally posted by THT-SJ22

Construction is already in full swing on The Curve building... Looks immense, as the site is much bigger than Tesco and IKEA (exc'l the Power Center) combined!

As for the CineLeisure, i think that will only open in 2005... The first component to open there was Tesco in 2002, followed by IKEA in September 2003.

IKEA really is huge! The popularity of the Swedish furniture giant is such that there is a never-ending traffic congestion going into that place...

Actually the size of The Curve is the same as IKEA's at 13 acres. Tesco is 8 acres while Cineleisure is 3 ( or izzit 6? I forgot:D )acres.

Anyway the never-ending traffic congestion is only on the weekends....I would NEVER go there on a weekend.....only weekdays! ;)

This is a bummer to the project....... :(

Stop-work order slapped on project


BY BEH YUEN HUI

PETALING JAYA: Construction work of a development project in Mutiara Damansara here has been suspended after two workers were killed when a section of an incomplete building collapsed on Sunday.

MPPJ president Datuk Abdul Karim Munisar said the council had issued a stop-work order on the project pending investigations, which would take at least two weeks.

Based on the outcome of the investigation, the council would decide if construction work would be allowed to continue, he said.

During the 4.30pm incident on Sunday, two construction workers – a 33-year-old Vietnamese, Dang Van Quyet, and a 50-year-old Malaysian, Lai See Chiang – were killed.

Their bodies were extricated from the rubble last night and were sent to the University Malaya Medical Centre for a post mortem.

The rescue operation, which was carried out by personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, police, Civil Defence Department and the SMART team, was called off after confirming that no other victims were trapped under the debris.

Mohd Saelal, the general manager of project developer SCB Developments Bhd, said its main contractor WCT Construction Sdn Bhd was responsible for safety on the site.

The collapsed section was the ground floor driveway of the three-storey commercial building, which was for emergency service vehicles, he said in a statement.

The building was expected to be ready by next year but so far, only the structures of its ground floor and a basement car park have been completed.

The proposed shopping mall is situated near the Ikea and Tesco hypermarkets.

Mohd Saelal added they had notified the victims' families about the incident and they had yet to ascertain the cause of the collapse.

Condolonces to the family.
But <sigh>, why does this have to happen? Now project halted lah.

another "good" news:rant:

Eh any new pics of this "instant Bukit Bintang"?
How's the highway project that connects this place directly to KL?

Originally posted by baqthier

Eh any new pics of this "instant Bukit Bintang"?
How's the highway project that connects this place directly to KL?

look at the star lah. sometimes got pic in ads

New Komuter halt to ease jam at mall area
By LEONG SHEN-LI
THE new KTM Komuter halt, which is under construction next to the Mid Valley Megamall, will provide shoppers with a much needed jam-free alternative to get to the popular shopping centre.

KTM Bhd expects the halt – which should see its first passengers in August next year – to be one of its busiest with around 4,000 passengers daily.

http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2003/12/p3halt.jpg
Work in progress a the new halt, which is along the KTM Komuter's Rawang-Seremban lines.

“The halt is merely 100m away from the mall.
“With traffic congestion in and around the area, especially during the weekends, we believe the construction of the halt will be welcomed by many shoppers,” KTM managing director Mohd Salleh Abdullah told The Star recently.

Besides the mall, he said the halt would also serve visitors to the nearby Thien Hou Kong Temple in Robson Heights, as well as the residents of various apartments around Taman Seputeh.

He added that a lot of further development was planned for the area, such as a new hotel, service apartments, office blocks and a second phase to the mall, and this would put further pressure on the roads in the area.

“The halt will certainly be able to help provide an efficient public transport alternative,” he said.

Work on the RM12mil project began last month.
The stop, to be located between KL Sentral station and Seputeh halt, would be served by commuter trains operating between Seremban and Rawang.

“This effectively allows people from Seremban or Rawang to reach Mid Valley Megamall directly without needing to change trains,” he said.

As for commuters from the Sentul-Port Klang line, he said they would need to change trains at KL Sentral which was only 2km or just over three minutes away.

The first halt to be added to the KTM Komuter network after it began operations in 1995, the Mid Valley halt would also be its most modern.

“This will be the first stop besides KL Sentral to have lifts for the disabled to access the platforms,” Mohd Salleh said.
It would have tactile lines to guide people who were visually-impaired.

“Furthermore, it will have toilets with facilities for the disabled,” he said.

He added that it would also be the first where the entire platform was covered.

Mohd Salleh said the ticket gates would be located on an elevated concourse that was at the same level as the bridge linking the two platforms as well as the station entrance along the Mid Valley-Taman Seputeh road.

“The concourse, bridge and ramp to the entrance are all covered,” he said, adding that these features would make it very convenient and comfortable for commuters.

He said the nearby Seputeh halt would remain open after the Mid Valley halt became operational

wah....finally MidValley to have a metro stop! (....and finally someone notice there isn't any in the area!) :D

Cool! Confirmed! Thank you KTM! So I don't need to go to midvalley/cititel(my fave hotel) :D by taxi anymore :master::master:

"The concourse, bridge and ramp to the entrance are all covered,” he said, adding that these features would make it very convenient and comfortable for commuters.

That is what the construction is all about. The concourse, bridge and the ramp are all part of the new station. cool. but at the time being the jam created from the construction is damn bad.:rant:

notice that there are also seem to be another development to the midvalley area. one at the area near to the condominium construction side, the other one on the other side of MidValley. near the flyover that heading to Federal Highway.

Very good indeed!! At last when i want to go to Mid Valley Megamall, i can use the KTM Komuter to go there :happy:

notice that there are also seem to be another development to the midvalley area. one at the area near to the condominium construction side, the other one on the other side of MidValley. near the flyover that heading to Federal Highway.

I have no idea where you talkin about! :D :?

...there are quite a number of constructions goin on around Midvalley....... ;)

A pic of the condo constructions I took in August
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/9midvalley1.jpg

Originally posted by szehoong

wah....finally MidValley to have a metro stop! (....and finally someone notice there isn't any in the area!) :D

i tot abdullah hukum station is near to midvalley?? maybe looks near in the map only:D

Originally posted by TYW

i tot abdullah hukum station is near to midvalley?? maybe looks near in the map only:D
Abdullah Hukum is the closest to Midvalley but troublesome.. have to cross the highway! So Bangsar station so far is the best place to stop. You can walk on the pedestrian path on the flyover and walk to Midvalley, or wait for a 70c No.5 Intrakota bus ride.:D

Originally posted by baqthier

Abdullah Hukum is the closest to Midvalley but troublesome.. have to cross the highway! So Bangsar station so far is the best place to stop. You can walk on the pedestrian path on the flyover and walk to Midvalley, or wait for a 70c No.5 Intrakota bus ride.:D

i tot abdullah hukum station is near to midvalley?? maybe looks near in the map only



Actual fact is that Abdullah Hukum station is the nearest BUT it isn't passable to Midvalley because there is a river and the highway.

Actually the highway isn't the big problem as if you walk from Bangsar station (Baq.....I wouldn't call the walkway beside the road as pedestrian path as it is too small and dangerous) you still need to cross the highway. The only problem is that near the Abd Hukum station....there isn't any bridge crossing across the river. ;)

I know cos when MidValley opened end of 99.......I do not have a car then....so I experimented with the roads all over the place and have walked from Bangsar to MidValley many times. Last time there isn't any Intrakota from Bangsar Putraline station to MidValley. ;)

Originally posted by szehoong

Actual fact is that Abdullah Hukum station is the nearest BUT it isn't passable to Midvalley because there is a river and the highway.

Actually the highway isn't the big problem as if you walk from Bangsar station (Baq.....I wouldn't call the walkway beside the road as pedestrian path as it is too small and dangerous) you still need to cross the highway. The only problem is that near the Abd Hukum station....there isn't any bridge crossing across the river. ;)

I know cos when MidValley opened end of 99.......I do not have a car then....so I experimented with the roads all over the place and have walked from Bangsar to MidValley many times. Last time there isn't any Intrakota from Bangsar Putraline station to MidValley. ;)

ic.. they should also build a pedestrian bridge to maivalley magamall besides the stop KTM is gonna make

There is definitely a lot of construction activity going on around the MVMM area... Other than the Condo, there is also a new office tower (izzit?) being erected at the exact other opposite end of the IGB Tower... U know, just opposite Real Rewards office?

But yeah, the construction of the new MVMM halt is most welcome! Can at least see a reduction of that notorious congestion around the area especially on weekends...

I live in PJ and with the completion of the halt, at least can take PutraLRT from Paramount / AsiaJaya to Sentral and then hop on the KTM to go to the MVMM... So convenient!

Ikano keen to open more stores
By: 9.26am (Friday, 19-12-2003)
The Edge


IKANO Corporation Sdn Bhd, the franchise owner of the home furnishing store IKEA, is keen to open several more stores in the country, its director, Joseph Lau, said today.

“We have such plans in the medium to long-term. But the question is when. Only time will tell,” he said at the official opening of the IKANO Power Centre retail mall by the Ambassador of Sweden, Bruno Beijer.

Lau, who is also IKEA’s general manager, said the company had been looking for land to build new IKEA stores in Penang, Johor Bahru and the Klang Valley but nothing has been finalised. — Bernama

cool!! hope to hear more news.

I read an article like 4 years ago about JB will be having an IKEA in less than 15 years...but I think soon lah then :D

:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

oh my parents sure very happy 1...hehehehe:okay:

IKANO and IKEA is the same izzit?

Originally posted by Pablo

:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

oh my parents sure very happy 1...hehehehe:okay:

wah, been there once so fast fall in love with it ar??

maybe my aunt and mom will go mad over it as well:D

Eh, the IKEA Power Mall opened already? Wow, seems like I have been away from KL for some time lah...

I'm currently in Australia, but coming back this Sunday

Originally posted by CLié-SJ33

Eh, the IKEA Power Mall opened already? Wow, seems like I have been away from KL for some time lah...

I'm currently in Australia, but coming back this Sunday

which one is IKEA power mall??

Originally posted by TYW

which one is IKEA power mall??

I think he meant IKANO Power Centre..... ;)

Originally posted by TYW

wah, been there once so fast fall in love with it ar??

maybe my aunt and mom will go mad over it as well:D

dun just say the females would be crazy...even guys loved that place......the furniture and stuffs they sold there are very attractive! :D

When you are in KL did you go there? ;)

Originally posted by Kevinkhoo1986

IKANO and IKEA is the same izzit?

Ikano Sdn. Bhd. is the local franchise holder of Ikea stores in Malaysia.

Ikea is the Swedish furniture retailer which currently had an outlet at Damansara Perdana.

Ikano Power Centre is a mall set up next to Ikea at Damansara Perdana by Ikano Sdn. Bhd.

So Ikea is a brand and Ikano is Malaysia's Ikea franchise holder.

;)

Originally posted by szehoong

dun just say the females would be crazy...even guys loved that place......the furniture and stuffs they sold there are very attractive! :D

When you are in KL did you go there? ;)

haha..my father loved that place very much...but he just want to c..not thinking to buy..female different..everthings want to buy.....:D :D :D

Originally posted by TYW

wah, been there once so fast fall in love with it ar??

maybe my aunt and mom will go mad over it as well:D

told ya b4...next time they wanna drive LORRY to KL:okay::D

Any picture of Ikano Power Centre?:D

oh thats great~ open one outside KL~ hopefuli its one of the biggest in Asia too~ hehe~:D :D

Originally posted by szehoong
Ikano Sdn. Bhd. is the local franchise holder of Ikea stores in Malaysia.

Ikea is the Swedish furniture retailer which currently had an outlet at Damansara Perdana.

Ikano Power Centre is a mall set up next to Ikea at Damansara Perdana by Ikano Sdn. Bhd.

So Ikea is a brand and Ikano is Malaysia's Ikea franchise holder.

;)

Damansara Perdana is that huge area still being developed that also comprises that huge Petronas retail complex, am i right?

Originally posted by szehoong

dun just say the females would be crazy...even guys loved that place......the furniture and stuffs they sold there are very attractive! :D

When you are in KL did you go there? ;)

i didn't go there. only went 2 days, no time:(

Bandar Utama grows in strength


BY ELAINE ANG

SEE Hoy Chan Holdings Group plans to offer a richer variety of properties at its veritable gold mine Bandar Utama, thus turning it into a more integrated township.

The Bandar Utama township has grown from strength to strength since the first phase of its houses went up for sale in October 1991. Since then, the company has completed over 5,000 residential and commercial units in the township – the latest being the expansion of 1 Utama, one of the premier shopping centres in the Klang Valley.

According to director Datuk Teo Chiang Kok, the group still has many projects up its sleeve for Bandar Utama.

Groundbreaking activities have started recently on its four-star, 468-room hotel, the first for Bandar Utama; and on a 600,000 sq ft office building to be situated between 1 Utama and TV3 headquarters. The office building is expected to be ready by end-2006 and the hotel, which would have the value-added facilities of a five-star hotel, by 2007.

“There is a need for complimentary services in Bandar Utama to make it into a full township. We believe it is a good opportunity to have a hotel here as there is a lack of such facilities in the area,” Teo said, adding that the group planned to manage the hotel on its own.

He said that by having a hotel in the vicinity would also ensure more potential visitors for 1 Utama in terms of tourists. “We intend to tap the tourist market,” he added.

Teo said the 1,000-acre Bandar Utama township, which was only 60% completed, would also have a retirement village and medical centre in the near future.

“Many have asked me when the retirement village will be up since hearing about our plans; however, it will not be for another two to three years,” he said, adding that the village would cater to his generation who wants to be close to the family but does not want to stay under one roof and be a burden to them.

The group currently has 250 completed link houses to be launched soon, with plans to build another 300 units.



http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2003/12/22/business/p4teo.JPG
Datuk Teo Chiang Kok at the newly expanded 1 Utama.




“We have five blocks of condominium with a total of 600 units under construction which have been snapped up already. We plan to start the second phase of condominiums soon after Chinese New Year,” Teo said.

Bukit Utama, the township's condominium zone located on 200 acres, is expected to be completed in nine phases, interspersed with a nine-hole golf course, to finally yield 6,000 condominium units.

Going forward, Teo feels mass housing township development would not be so lucrative anymore.

“Big plantation boys like Guthrie and Sime Darby are in there and their land cost is very cheap so it is very hard to buy a big tract of land, hold it and develop it over time. Those opportunities are limited now.

“Secondly, a lot of the market segments are saturated in many locations so we have to become a bit more judicious in selecting the right location and product.

“The way to go would be niche development, new concepts, ideas and products. Not run-of-the-mill link houses and shop houses.

“This is where competition is good as it brings out the best in everyone,” he said, adding that the trend over the last five years was moving towards gated communities and resort living.

On See Hoy Chan Holdings' land bank, Teo said it would take at least another 10 years to exhaust the balance 400 acres of Bandar Utama.

“Even so, we are always looking out for more land but it is very hard to find another piece of land to measure up to the same potential as Bandar Utama,” he said.

The group is also looking to expand its plantation holdings to balance its activities.

“Property development is cyclical while plantation is daily and long term, so we need a balance to even out our activities and revenue generation,” he said, adding that the company was targeting to increase its plantation division, which consists of mainly oil palms, to 30% of its business.

Although having been asked about the group's listing plans for the umpteenth time, being the gracious person that he is, Teo said listing was not in the cards as the group was not in a situation where it needed to obtain public funds for expansion.

“We are a quiet performer. We want to stay focused and concentrate on business,” he said.

See Hoy Chan Holdings' core business consists of property development, which accounts for about 60% of its revenue, followed by property investment, plantations, mortgage lending and education.

Some of the companies under the group are Bandar Utama Development Sdn Bhd, See Hoy Chan Plantations (Sabah) Sdn Bhd, Mortgage Corp Sdn Bhd and KBU International College.

Shoppers’ haven at 1 Utama


By ELAINE ANG
1 Utama shopping centre, the crown jewel of the Bandar Utama township, is considered by many as a shopper's haven.

The area had experienced an unprecedented growth that in turn strongly boosted the demand for retail space at the mall, which was first opened for business in 1995.

See Hoy Chan Holdings Group director Datuk Teo Chiang Kok said the very long tenant waiting list for 1 Utama led the group to commission a research to see if there was a need for expansion.

“The research came back very positive. There was a big demand and need for more space to cater for the more sophisticated and upmarket crowd. These were the guidelines we used to expand 1 Utama,” he said, adding that the tenant mix of 1 Utama was also trending towards the upmarket segment.



http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2003/12/22/business/p4parkson.JPG
The flagship U Parkson at 1 Utama's new phase.



The group spent a total of RM300mil for the expansion, which had its soft opening on Dec 13 with 60% of shops opened. All shops are expected to be fully open by end January 2004.

1 Utama currently has a net lettable area of 1.6 million sq ft and 398 shop units (compared with 220 units in the old phase) of which all have been taken up. The group would be expecting a 12% return on investment for 1 Utama.

Its anchor departmental store is U Parkson, a more upmarket and trendy flagship Parkson outlet taking up 140,000 sq ft while its anchor supermarket is Giant Fresh, which has 40% of its space for fresh food and perishables with 120,000 sq ft.

It also has 12 junior anchors, each taking a floor space of 20,000 to 40,000 sq ft. The new phase would also incorporate an aviary, bio park and petting zoo which will be opened in March 2004 as well as a diving pool and rock climbing wall.

“For a mall to be successful, we need to cater for all the needs of the shoppers, including food and entertainment. Shopping has now become a family outing,” Teo said.

Another important aspect was traffic. With the expansion, 1 Utama now has more car park bays, which increased from 3,000 bays to 7,000 bays. “There is also an underpass to provide a free flow of traffic to the new phase, thus improving traffic flow,” he said.

According to Retail Network director Robert Jalleh, who also acts as See Hoy Chan Holdings' retail consultant, 1 Utama is expected to attract 25 million people per annum from next year compared to 15 million in 1996.

On increased competition from its neighbours in the vicinity like Ikano Power Centre and The Curve, Teo remained unfazed.

“We are all servicing different market segments and complementing each other. The whole stretch will be like a magnet to attract shoppers and it will be advantageous as there will be a spill-over effect of shoppers visiting all the complexes,” he said.

"Groundbreaking activities have started recently on its four-star, 468-room hotel, the first for Bandar Utama; and on a 600,000 sq ft office building to be situated between 1 Utama and TV3 headquarters. The office building is expected to be ready by end-2006 and the hotel, which would have the value-added facilities of a five-star hotel, by 2007."

For sure there will be skyscrapers! The proposed hotel even has more rooms than Hilton Sentral and 600,000sq ft is pretty big! Bandar Utama is the instant Bukit Bintang! :master:

very interesting. next time must go there:D

Menara Telekom and suburb
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9cititel1.jpg

KL is dense lah!
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9cititel2.jpg

Suasana Sentral condos
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9cititel3.jpg

CBD skyline
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9cititel4.jpg

Genting!
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9cititel5.jpg

Berjaya Times Square
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9cititel6.jpg

Wow the views from your hotel are awesome! Gentings looks impressive perched up there:cool:

:applause: :cheers: :applause:

Thanks guys!:cheers:

:master: :master: :uh: nice men~ the Mid Valley shot is the best~

One Utama new phase!
Very nice and unique from other malls! My favourite mall..:)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9mallmy1.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9mallmy2.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9mallmy3.jpg

:okay: Great pix......just went the other day.......took some pics too but would post later.......no time lah.....gotta 'spring clean' my room and house lah! :D

Why does the 2nd phase of One Utama look so empty? It is open already kan...it look so spacey though ;)

Sze...why one earth you have to do a 'spring cleaning' for your own room? People visit your house during Chinese New Year will not come in and look around inside your room mah :D

Still new..there are still many shops which are preparing themselves. They also have Parkson. Parkson now even sell much more branded stuff ..kalah metrojaya...and there are also MANY security guards everywhere in One U :eek:

great view!! i love the Genting shot

1 utama looks cool!! the top floor of midvalley looks very interesting

To me One U now is huge!similar to midvalley la!Manage to go there!:D I love it but not all shops were opened yet.Browsed through the whole building.Went there last month to watch LOTR.
Btw,ill be posting tones of pics taken during my holidays next week.Now a little busy.

We'll be anticipating, dude! :cool:

MIDVALLEY INTERIOR

Midvalley top floor!
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9mallmy4.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9mallmy5.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9mallmy6.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9mallmy7.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9mallmy8.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9mallmy9.jpg

Here's my pics! :D

....taken last Sunday (I NEVER go shopping mall on Sundays....but this time dunno why....)

The 'Rainforest' section of One Utama II ....still under construction......most of the cafes and restaurants faced this area for example Starbucks and Nando's .....

http://ftp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/Selangor/One Utama/rainforest2sm.jpg

http://ftp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/Selangor/One Utama/rainforest1sm.jpg

One of the many atriums.....

http://ftp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/Selangor/One Utama/pano1sm.jpg

WOW! Nice man! Hey buy how come no shop lots in pic above..waster..or probably got booths lah..

The main atrium.......


http://ftp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/Selangor/One Utama/pano2sm.jpg

The 'older' section of One Utama with the new 'skybridge' :D


http://ftp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/Selangor/One Utama/pano3sm.jpg

Bandar Utama Central Park taken from the rooftop carpark of One Utama II........I still can remember that during college days....muh bunch of friends used to lepak and sing loud-loud at this park in the middle of the night! :D

NOTE : Looked at the stoopid jam! :rant:



http://ftp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/Selangor/One Utama/pano4sm.jpg

The arch bridge at the Rainforest section......


http://ftp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/Selangor/One Utama/IMG_6400sm.jpg

Look at the traffic congestion getting out of One Utama II........gila wan.......:D ........anyway also note how near is Ikano Power Centre from One Utama ....only separated by a school and a golf driving range! ;)


http://ftp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/Selangor/One Utama/IMG_6384sm.jpg

Originally posted by D_Y2k.2^

To me One U now is huge!similar to midvalley la!Manage to go there!:D I love it but not all shops were opened yet.Browsed through the whole building.Went there last month to watch LOTR.
Btw,ill be posting tones of pics taken during my holidays next week.Now a little busy.

Actually MidValley is still larger....This is because there are many 'hidden' and unaccounted for spaces. For example:

- Carrefour
- Jusco
- Sweat Club
- Kamdar
- Ace Hardware
- Toys R Us
- MPH
- Cosmic Bowl
- MECC Convention Ctr
- GSC Cinemas
- Optical City
- IT World
- Metrojaya

These are the anchor tenants and the spaces they took are huge.......so we can only see the atrium so we tot it is not that big afterall :D But if you take all the spaces of these anchors and merged together with the visible space - you get one of the largest mall in Asia! :colgate:

Nice pics. Couldn't help but notice the traffic congestion.. almost couldn't distinguish the open-air car park from the road!

Should there be a future expansion of the current LRT system, the respective authority should seriously consider extending the service to this area.

The traffic is insane.

Hindu Temple near MidValley

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9midview12.jpg

:eek: that rainforest stuff is really cool!!

Any latest pics? I'm very sure Sze have lah since he just visited ler

From TheStarOnline

http://www.star-space.com/stories/story.asp?artfolder=news&file=archives/news/2004/01/20/md200104

What makes Mutiara Damansara shine
By ELAINE ANG

SO what makes Mutiara Damansara, the jewel of SCB Developments Bhd's property projects, one of the most sought after properties in the Klang Valley?

This is a subject close to executive director Datuk Ghazali Mohd Ali's heart and he knows them all at his fingertips – location, good planning, maintenance and security.

And it would seem that he has every reason to be proud as Mutiara Damansara recently won the Best Planned Township award (less than 500 acres category) from the Malaysian Institute of Planners. This is the second award won by the developer as Mutiara Rini, its development in Johor, also won the same award in 1999.

According to Ghazali, much thought has been put into the planning of the township to make it the successful development that it is now. In terms of accessibility, SCB has created a road system to make Mutiara Damansara highly visible and accessible.

''The Surian tunnel has just been completed along Persiaran Surian at a cost of RM17mil to ease traffic congestion. We also commenced construction of a link from Mutiara Damansara direct to the Sprint Highway, which is expected to be completed by end-2004,'' he said, adding that other links would also be put in place to make it more accessible through the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong and Mont Kiara.

Ghazali said with this, the area would be easily accessible to a population of 500,000 to 600,000 within a 20-minute radius, once all the links were completed. Another area of focus is security.

''One of the basic rules of crime control is urban planning. All our residential areas are provided with perimeter fencing. We also have a lot of cul-de-sacs to discourage traffic into these areas,'' he said.

Ghazali said the group had also taken a temporary occupational lease of all the public open space and road shoulders to control landscaping and continue the highest standards of maintenance.

''The lease is renewable every year but we are applying for a long-term lease,'' Ghazali said, adding that SCB was also in the process of getting MPPJ to gazette Mutiara Damansara as a local planning area to prevent purchasers to build, for example, factories in the area.

He said the group's efforts to promote a maintenance culture were aimed at adding value to the development and this would increase the real estate value.

''It is the role of a developer to add value to any land bank,'' he stressed.

Finally ....an upgrade for the Ampang Point area which is kinda popular amongst the espats......I have wanted to see this place upgraded for a long time liao......I frequnted this place a lot last time but the parking problem had kept me away so this is a welcome news! :rant:




RM20mil makeover for Ampang Jaya's shopping hub


By ESTHER CHANDRAN



Ampang Point, a popular shopping centre in Ampang Jaya, will take on a new look by the middle of next year when it will sport the municipality’s very own Ampang Walk which will include a multi-storey car park aimed at solving the shortage of parking space in the area.

The RM20mil makeover will be undertaken by Pantai Barat Resources Sdn Bhd through a smart partnership enterprise with the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).

The build, operate and transfer (BOT) project is expected to kick off within the next three months.




http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/1/m_pg02ramli.JPG

Ramli briefing Ampang Point’s property owners and tenants on the Ampang Walk project at Menara MPAJ on Tuesday.






Under the BOT agreement, Pantai Barat Resources will manage Ampang Walk and will hand back the property to MPAJ after 30 years.

Although Ampang Walk will not be of the same magnitude as Kuala Lumpur’s famous Bintang Walk in the city’s Golden Triangle, it is a place to watch out for due to Ampang Point’s strategic location on the Kuala Lumpur-Ampang border where development is progressing at a steady pace.

MPAJ president Ramli Mahmud said under the project Lorong Mamanda 1 and Lorong Mamanda 2 would be closed to motorists and turned into walkways.

“The development will significantly improve the value of property in the area as the number of visitors to Ampang Point is expected to increase.

“One of the main reasons deterring people from visiting Ampang Point now is the parking problem.




http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/1/m_pg02ampang.JPG

Ampang Point Shopping Centre.






“We are undertaking this project so that people in Ampang Jaya as well as other areas will come here as an alternative place to unwind,” he said at a briefing on the project for Ampang Point property owners and tenants at Menara MPAJ on Tuesday.

The main reason for the facelift is to overcome traffic-related problems as there are not enough parking bays and the traffic flow needs to be reviewed.

The council has long been aware of the lack of parking space and the need to redesign traffic flow by implementing a new traffic management plan.

In early 2000, MPAJ’s initial action was to remove hawker stalls from Jalan Mamanda 2 as they occupied parking lots facing the Ampang Point Shopping Centre.

The removal of the stalls provided more parking space but this was still insufficient.

The council then decided to come down hard on motorists by implementing towing operations in October 2001.

Motorists visiting Ampang Point during towing hours had to adhere to MPAJ’s guidelines or risk paying a hefty fine to claim their cars.

The implementation of the towing system helped to reduce double parking and illegal parking in the area.

However, these measures did not solve the need for more parking lots.

Last year, after much brainstorming MPAJ came up with a proposal to convert two of its parking lots in Lorong Mamanda 1 and Lorong Mamanda 2 to build a multi-storey car park facing Jalan Mamanda 2 and the shopping centre.

This proposal was given the go-ahead by the state government.

The five-storey car park will have retail outlets, three levels designated for car park space while the remaining floors will be for sports and recreation.

Pantai Barat Resources representative Datuk Kim Yap H. H., who was also present at the briefing, said Ampang Walk would be a lightweight structure development meant to portray modernity and simplicity.

“There will be 615 parking lots, 20 kiosks and a sporting arena with several futsal courts, a gymnasium and recreation space.



http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/1/m_pg01changing.JPG

An artist's impression of Ampang Walk and the multi-storey car park.




“CCTVs will also be installed at appropriate places inside and outside the multi-storey car park,’’ he said.

At present, there are 926 parking lots in the area. However, 140 parking lots in Lorong Mamanda 1 and Lorong Mamanda 2 will have to make way for the Ampang Walk.

“Although we will lose 140 parking lots during the construction period, 320 temporary parking lots will be opened up near the Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital and surrounding Ampang Point.

“Our target is to make Ampang Point the destination in Ampang Jaya as the project includes beautification of the area with landscaping works and covered walkways,” Ramli said.

He said MPAJ was studying the overall traffic situation in the area and would make improvements to the traffic flow.

This includes the permanent closure of certain roads as well as opening new entry points into the area via Jalan Hulu Kelang.

Ramli said the council believed that the project would not only enhance Ampang Point’s image but also alleviate traffic congestion and be a significant boost for businesses in the area.

“The new Ampang Point will not only appeal to locals but tourists as well,’’ he added.

Ramli advised property owners and tenants to form a pro tem committee to ensure that any issues which cropped up during the project’s construction would be channelled to the developer and MPAJ.

Originally posted by baqthier

Any latest pics? I'm very sure Sze have lah since he just visited ler

aiyoh....kinda busy for CNY lah ;)....I'll post some pics later.....:D

For those who don't know where Ampang Point is..here's a pic(red arrow)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9ampangpoint1.jpg


It looks small, but inside pretty variety of things and I love the British India Warehouse :D. The architecture is nice too

Originally posted by baqthier



It looks small, but inside pretty variety of things and I love the British India Warehouse :D. The architecture is nice too

You bet! :D The British India Warehouse in the main attraction there for me as well!!! :lol:

Originally posted by baqthier

For those who don't know where Ampang Point is..here's a pic(red arrow)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9ampangpoint1.jpg


It looks small, but inside pretty variety of things and I love the British India Warehouse :D. The architecture is nice too

At the very right end of this picture one will see the huge Galaxy Ampang...pity cannot see it from this one :D

Suria KLCC shines on in face of competition



KUALA LUMPUR: Suria KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre), which has stamped its mark as a world class shopping haven in a relatively short time of six years, is targeting an eight per cent growth in retail sales this year besides maintaining its lead position as Malaysia’s top retail complex.

In 2003, its total retail turnover came to RM1.3bil.

In terms of productivity per square foot, Suria KLCC stands out strongly against its competitors as the figures represent a significant portion of the total Malaysian market share, said its general manager, Andrew Brien.

Located below the world’s tallest twin structures, the renowned Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC’s growth is also expected to grow in tandem with the relatively bright outlook for the domestic retail industry and the overall Malaysian economy this year.

“Our market share is growing as we are meeting the needs of the market and by being relevant to the market,” said Brien, an Australian who was appointed three months ago to manage the complex which boasts of two department stores (Isetan and Parkson Grand) and other anchor tenants like the Tanjong Golden Village Cineplex and Kinokuniya Bookstore in addition to 280 specialty stores spread out over 139,400sq m of floor space.




http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2004/2/1/business/p31suria.JPG

Making Suria KLCC 'the place to be at' for both locals and foreigners has been due to a combination of easy road and LRT access, good retail mix and availability of quality customers services.





“The highest profile international brands and the best local brands are already in Suria KLCC,” he said. These include Bvlgari, Montblanc, Tiffany & Co, Habib, Edmund Ser and British India.

Although Suria KLCC is in a strong position against its competitors, its management is working hard to ensure the shopping mall remains attractive and exciting, Brien said.

“I believe that shopping complexes of today have become the ‘town centres’ of the new millennium. People come to shopping complexes to relax and enjoy (the facilities); they just don’t come with a wallet for shopping,” said Brien, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the retail business.

About 15% to 25% of Suria KLCC’s sales come from foreigners. And Brien wants this to increase further as more foreigners learn of Malaysia’s reputation as a “value-for-money” shopping destination.

A chunk of the targeted increase in growth is likely to come from specialty shops, which account for a major portion of the floor space at the six-level shopping complex.

Three strong anchor tenants –Isetan, Parkson Grand and Cold Storage (formerly Tops) – are also expected to chalk up positive growth from their loyal customers.

But Brien conceded that the majors (or main tenants) cannot suit the taste of all consumers and that was why the “specialty shops have quite a strong pull” with their designer clothes, branded luxury goods, jewellery and consumer electronics.

Based on the forecast economic outlook for Malaysia and the expected rise in tourist arrivals, he said he is confident that Suria KLCC would be able to attract strong numbers of traffic this year through innovative customer service, training and marketing programmes.

“Suria KLCC has become a destination of choice. Even in the worst conditions such as traffic jams in the city, you can get in and out of Suria KLCC,” he said, adding that many other shopping malls in the city do not enjoy the same convenience.

Making Suria KLCC “the place to be at” in downtown Kuala Lumpur for both locals and foreigners has been due to a combination of sheer convenience (easy road and LRT access), good retail mix and availability of quality customer services.

Convenience and value for money – not necessarily cheap pricing – are what customers are looking for and Suria KLCC will capitalise on these strong attributes, said Brien.

To achieve the quality desired by customers, Suria KLCC has to “sweat the small stuff because small ideas might grow into something significant for its business,” he stressed.

It works closely with retailers by reviewing every store design with top designers so that they remain relevant by international standards, evaluating service levels and even conducting visits to shopping malls overseas to study the latest retail trends.

“In other words, constant research and development,” said Brien, adding: “when you walk the mall, there is a sense of pleasure in just looking at the stores because they are well-designed and well-presented.”

Presenting this sense of pleasure costs Suria between RM4mil and RM5mil annually in terms of maintenance. But the money spent has been worth every penny, Brien said.

Besides the good retail mix, Suria KLCC’s attractiveness is also boosted by the nearby 20ha park which gives visitors a grand view of lush greenery as they relax in the sidewalk cafes or by the pool, and Petrosains, an exhibition-cum-educational amusement centre based on Malaysia’s oil industry.

The upcoming convention centre, which will have an aquarium that will be the biggest in this region and KLCC’s location next to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, will also help to pull in the crowds.

Talking about expansion plans and maximising the available floor space, he disclosed that some areas below the concourse level would be turned into retail shops while the 1,200-seat food court would be refurbished later this year.

“It will be a complete facelift as it will help us serve our daily customers. We have a large number of customers from offices in the twin towers,” he said. – Bernama

This one is not Ampang Park shopping mall near KLCC rite...got connected by Putraline one.

Indeed its a great news!Hopefully the food court will look ultra modern.Do you think there is any proposal for an expansion to the complex in future?

Tops in KLCC is now cold storage?Is it the first in Malaysia?I thought all the Tops in Malaysia is now Giant.

Originally posted by D_Y2k.2^

Indeed its a great news!Hopefully the food court will look ultra modern.Do you think there is any proposal for an expansion to the complex in future?



I am not too sure bout external expansion but there are plans (like what they said in the article) about expansion to the concourse level of Suria. But there are plans to include retail in the new convention centre but I am not too sure how it is joined to Suria proper. ;)

Originally posted by D_Y2k.2^

Tops in KLCC is now cold storage?Is it the first in Malaysia?I thought all the Tops in Malaysia is now Giant.

okay......this might be a bit complicated..... :D

Cold Storage and Giant are both owned by Dairy Farm. When Dairy Farm bought Tops (Malaysia) last year......all Tops outlets are converted to either Cold Storage or Giant.

Cold Storage had better branding therefore only the top tier supermarkets under Tops brand like those at Great Eastern Mall & Suria KLCC are rebranded as Cold Storage while the rest are rebranded as Giant. ;)

However existing Cold Storages and Giants aren't affected. :)

The first Cold Storage in Malaysia (if I am not mistaken) is the one at Section 14..........I believe its been there since the 70s (could be longer!) :D

Apart from that, there is also one that's been around for a long time - at Bangsar Shopping Centre. :)

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

At the very right end of this picture one will see the huge Galaxy Ampang...pity cannot see it from this one :D

oh......are you really sure that one is Galaxy Ampang? I saw that many times.......now I know which one you talkin bout! :D

Originally posted by hypermount

This one is not Ampang Park shopping mall near KLCC rite...got connected by Putraline one.

yaloh.....that one is Ampang PARK ......this one is Ampang POINT .......there's also a Ampang PLAZA (opposite Ampang Park....used to be known as Yow Chuan Plaza) :D

Originally posted by szehoong

oh......are you really sure that one is Galaxy Ampang? I saw that many times.......now I know which one you talkin bout! :D

Yup. Damn sure. Beside if you happen to pass by this couple of days, you will see this huge yellow banner 'advertisement' about the soon to be open Galaxy Ampang shopping mall :D

This is Ampang Park..a heritage building! :cool:
Nice one..I dunno why Sze said he prefer the old mall beside Maxis than this :D

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9ampark.jpg

old mall beside Maxis??? what mall is that? Plaza Central ke :?

Originally posted by szehoong

I am not too sure bout external expansion but there are plans (like what they said in the article) about expansion to the concourse level of Suria. But there are plans to include retail in the new convention centre but I am not too sure how it is joined to Suria proper. ;)

How one can make another expansion to the current concourse level of Suria :?

Dunno also hehe

But here's a pic of it's future rival! :devil:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/9avenuek.jpg

I don't think Avenue K can give Suria KLCC a run for its money. Maybe more like a complementary for each other. ;)

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Yup. Damn sure. Beside if you happen to pass by this couple of days, you will see this huge yellow banner 'advertisement' about the soon to be open Galaxy Ampang shopping mall :D

oh...interesting.....yet something extra for me to check out! :D

When you off? Me this Thursday and Friday! :)......on 25th me not free lah ....sorry I din call ya:(

Originally posted by baqthier

This is Ampang Park..a heritage building! :cool:
Nice one..I dunno why Sze said he prefer the old mall beside Maxis than this :D



errr....because it is much much nearer to my office? :D

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

old mall beside Maxis??? what mall is that? Plaza Central ke :?

Plaza Central is the Ken Yeang building along Jln Sultan Ismail lah.......this is called Wisma Central :D

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

I don't think Avenue K can give Suria KLCC a run for its money. Maybe more like a complementary for each other. ;)

yup.....just like all the 8 malls complimenting each other at Bukit Bintang! ;)

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

How one can make another expansion to the current concourse level of Suria :?

yea...there are still some space. Remember there are still a sizeable parking area next to Burger King? That could be it..... ;)

Originally posted by szehoong

Plaza Central is the Ken Yeang building along Jln Sultan Ismail lah.......this is called Wisma Central :D

Wah..always got the name confuse. I've only been to Wisma Central 3 times in my whole life as a KL citizen. ;)

Originally posted by szehoong

oh...interesting.....yet something extra for me to check out! :D

When you off? Me this Thursday and Friday! :)......on 25th me not free lah ....sorry I din call ya:(

Today. Sunday and Monday. This week I'm working night shift mah :ohno:

25hb? Its okay. Me quite busy too. :D

Originally posted by szehoong

yea...there are still some space. Remember there are still a sizeable parking area next to Burger King? That could be it..... ;)

Hmmm...I know that section. Yeah, probably this time around there will be McDonald for the future expansion. :D

I see.
Btw,when is Avenue K gonna open?Any news about the office towers?

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Hmmm...I know that section. Yeah, probably this time around there will be McDonald for the future expansion. :D

NO! I wanna see a shopping mall which dun have McD..........KLCC still holds the record! :D I tot they could hold the record for Starbucks but too bad it opened last year......somemore now we got 2 there :D

Originally posted by D_Y2k.2^

I see.
Btw,when is Avenue K gonna open?Any news about the office towers?

Sometime this year....the construction should also resume sometime end of this year.......dunno lah....that's what I read in the papers :D

was this the one pablo said was dirty??

Originally posted by TYW

was this the one pablo said was dirty??

nolah......Ampang Point is a few KMs down the road from Empire Tower ;)

Originally posted by szehoong

nolah......Ampang Point is a few KMs down the road from Empire Tower ;)

wah, looks so near in the pic, like across the road

Originally posted by TYW

wah, looks so near in the pic, like across the road

Across the road from Empire Tower one is Ampang Park. Beside is there is a mall called Ampang Plaza. ;) Below Empire Tower is City Square. .....

Originally posted by szehoong

Across the road from Empire Tower one is Ampang Park. Beside is there is a mall called Ampang Plaza. ;) Below Empire Tower is City Square. .....

oh, ic.. got ampang park and ampang plaza mixed up:D

Originally posted by TYW

oh, ic.. got ampang park and ampang plaza mixed up:D

ha..ha..see. Another one who got mixed up and confused. Just like me and my Wisma and Plaza Central :D

Originally posted by szehoong

NO! I wanna see a shopping mall which dun have McD..........KLCC still holds the record! :D I tot they could hold the record for Starbucks but too bad it opened last year......somemore now we got 2 there :D

Well, Times Square does not have KFC mah :D

say..is the rainforest section open air??

My Top 10:

1) One Utama
- Well done. Shops are the kind which are out of the box! Lotsa
memories too back in the 90's :D
2) MidValley
- Never felt complete before! 3 dept stores can't be wrong! :D
3) IKEA and IKANO complex
- Creative shops! More than just IKEA
4) Sungei Wang
- Bargains! Full!
5) Suria KLCC
- Kinokuniya!
6) Low Yat Plaza
- HW and SW! I also love the indoor chinatown. Nice deserts.
7) Berjaya Times Square
- Lotsa nice shoe shops! More things to come :cool:
8) Sunway Pyramid.
- Hartz Chicken Buffet with a great view of the artificial beach!
Great architecture too.
9)Ampang Point.
- British India Warehouse!
10) Maju Junction.
- Food court is nice and the shops are pretty decent + the
interior layout makes the mall look damn big.

Originally posted by baqthier

7) Berjaya Times Square
- Lotsa nice shoe shops! More things to come :cool:


Wah...Baq. Your into shoes ke? :D

Come on lah man...it's the shoes that make the feet hehe

My top 10 malls:

1. 1utama
2. Ikano Power Center
3. Suria KLCC
4. Mid-Valley
5. Ikea Home Furnishings
6. Sg. Wang Plaza
7. Sunway Pyramid
8. Bukit Raja SC, Klang
9. Great Eastern Mall
10. Times Square

(not in order)

times square
Suria KLCC
Midvalley Megamall
1 Utama
Sunway Pyramid

er.... some more leh?? i dunno:D

Originally posted by CLié-SJ33

My top 10 malls:

1. 1utama
2. Ikano Power Center
3. Suria KLCC
4. Mid-Valley
5. Ikea Home Furnishings
6. Sg. Wang Plaza
7. Sunway Pyramid
8. Bukit Raja SC, Klang
9. Great Eastern Mall
10. Times Square

errr......IKEA isn't a shopping mall lah :D If you count IKEA then how about Jusco and Tesco? :colgate:

Originally posted by szehoong

errr......IKEA isn't a shopping mall lah :D If you count IKEA then how about Jusco and Tesco? :colgate:

I think IKEA can be consider as a shopping mall lah:D. But I like Jusco Maluri. ;)

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

I think IKEA can be consider as a shopping mall lah:D. But I like Jusco Maluri. ;)

IKEA can't be considered a shopping mall lah.......it is the sole tenant in the building. However, Jusco stores like the one in Cheras have many tenants like MPH, Guardian etc..... are shopping malls. ;)

You need to have multi-tenants to be eligible to be a shopping mall. Oh ......and speaking of tenants, kiosks and small shops dun count. If it counts......then we could virtually have all the hypermarts as shopping malls in their own right! :D

Among my favourite malls are also Starhill and KL Plaza. Never seen soo many top brands under one roof as this is the case with Starhill. Yes, probably tourist trap, but nonetheless an architectural masterpiece showing that YTL is Malaysia best developer.:cool:

Hmmm, good point there szehoong...

Let me revise the list again...
1. 1utama
2. Ikano Power Center & IKEA
3. Suria KLCC
4. Mid-Valley
5. Sg. Wang Plaza
6. Starhill Center
7. Sunway Pyramid
8. Bukit Raja SC, Klang
9. Great Eastern Mall
10. Times Square

Sorilah, forgot to mention Lot10:D

HMM BB Plaza and SG Plaza are still the best despite they're so old.

Originally posted by hypermount

HMM BB Plaza and SG Plaza are still the best despite they're so old.

Yup.....BB Plaza - Sg. Wang combi are perhaps one of the rarest success story in Malaysia's history. It would be packed eventhough there are competition from much nicxer and newer malls in the vicinity. ;)

One could find the cheapest, rarest and most expensive stuffs there! :D .....there's always a surprise around the corner! :)

Originally posted by szehoong

Yup.....BB Plaza - Sg. Wang combi are perhaps one of the rarest success story in Malaysia's history. It would be packed eventhough there are competition from much nicxer and newer malls in the vicinity. ;)

One could find the cheapest, rarest and most expensive stuffs there! :D .....there's always a surprise around the corner! :)

Yeah. BB is the best in Malaysia. That's remind me of something. Sze, you have to teman me to window shopping for a digital camera. The Sony one that you recommend before :D

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Yeah. BB is the best in Malaysia. That's remind me of something. Sze, you have to teman me to window shopping for a digital camera. The Sony one that you recommend before :D

sure....you want to do that within these few days? :)

Originally posted by szehoong

sure....you want to do that within these few days? :)

Yeah. Since you can kelentong the seller much more convincing than me :colgate:

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Yeah. Since you can kelentong the seller much more convincing than me :colgate:

hehe....just say I know people in the camera industry lah! :D

Originally posted by szehoong

hehe....just say I know people in the camera industry lah! :D

Precisely why I think it is good to have you to accompany me for that. Wah...know some insider mah...sure I can get discount one :colgate:

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Precisely why I think it is good to have you to accompany me for that. Wah...know some insider mah...sure I can get discount one :colgate:



yup....but you'll have to coopoerate a lot! :D

Originally posted by szehoong

yup....but you'll have to coopoerate a lot! :D

Meaning :?

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Meaning :?

aiyah.....tell ya laterlah.....complicated to say here lah! ;)

Originally posted by szehoong

aiyah.....tell ya laterlah.....complicated to say here lah! ;)

Wah..everything complicated one. Okay...better not tell you secret here then :D

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Wah..everything complicated one. Okay...better not tell you secret here then :D

dun understnad lah....clarify pls :D :? :? :?

I still have not been inside the Power Ikano till today :ohno:
Wanted to go but then very very far away. :rant:

EVERYTHING - UNDER THE SUN
SURIA KLCC - SEGALANYA (LOL....Is this the local advertisement.. NYA ??...)
http://www.suriaklcc.com.my/Flash/main.htm

Originally posted by nazrey

EVERYTHING - UNDER THE SUN
SURIA KLCC - SEGALANYA (LOL....Is this the local advertisement.. NYA ??...)
http://www.suriaklcc.com.my/Flash/main.htm

yeah it is!!;)

AX opens at 1 Utama II



AX Armani Exchange, tagged the ‘street barometer’ for Giorgio Armani’s fashion directions, has opened its third free-standing store in 1 Utama Phase II Shopping Centre.

The main feature of the new store is its curved ceiling designed to appeal to the young, sexy and chic urban shoppers.





http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/2/m_pg16armani2.JPG

The newly-opened AX Armani Exchange outlet at 1 Utama II.







The new outlet opens just in time to highlight the Armani Exchange Spring/Summer collection.

Taking on a bold approach with simple silhouettes that are sun-drenched in bright colours and graphic patterns, the collection is sassy and sensual with a look of fresh femininity with lots of easy, loose and bare, striped printed silk dresses, stripped knits and willowy linen pants.

The men's wear goes sleek with a combination of neutrals and colour.

Stripes dominate the collection, while casual uniformity is achieved this season with soft fabrics, light knitwear, utility elements and functional detailing.

Besides 1 Utama II, AX boutiques can also be found at Suria KLCC and the Lot 10 Shopping Centre.

Originally posted by liping_t

say..is the rainforest section open air??


Yes......that atrium is open air...... ;)

I think they should go add more storeys and reclad the building with steel plates..I dun really like the current color

Originally posted by D_Y2k.2^

Indeed its a great news!Hopefully the food court will look ultra modern.Do you think there is any proposal for an expansion to the complex in future?

Tops in KLCC is now cold storage?Is it the first in Malaysia?I thought all the Tops in Malaysia is now Giant.

TOPS??? Last time many shopping mall in Penang have TOPS but all closed down liao???

Gurney Plaza have Cold Storage;)

Originally posted by Pablo

TOPS??? Last time many shopping mall in Penang have TOPS but all closed down liao???

Gurney Plaza have Cold Storage;)

Originally posted by szehoong
Cold Storage and Giant are both owned by Dairy Farm. When Dairy Farm bought Tops (Malaysia) last year......all Tops outlets are converted to either Cold Storage or Giant.

tyw> Szehoong said all Tops outlets are converted to either Cold Storage or Giant. But TOPS in BJ Complex and One Stop did not turn to Cold Storage or Giant:?

Originally posted by Pablo

tyw> Szehoong said all Tops outlets are converted to either Cold Storage or Giant. But TOPS in BJ Complex and One Stop did not turn to Cold Storage or Giant:?

what are they now?? i didn't go and see lah:bash:

Originally posted by Pablo

tyw> Szehoong said all Tops outlets are converted to either Cold Storage or Giant. But TOPS in BJ Complex and One Stop did not turn to Cold Storage or Giant:?

maybe they haven't convert yet mah.....but I am pretty sure all Tops in Malaysia are gone for good. All Tops around Klang Valley had dissapeared ;)

Originally posted by szehoong

oh......are you really sure that one is Galaxy Ampang? I saw that many times.......now I know which one you talkin bout! :D

Here is the picture of Galaxy Ampang :D

http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/zahirnya/100_0019.jpg

The entrance of Galaxy Ampang

http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/zahirnya/100_0018.jpg

And the banner for the the upcoming shopping mall....

http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/zahirnya/100_0020.jpg

Just to inform that Burger King will open its outlet in MidValley next month. Renovation already in progress...:eat:

Sultan of Selangor opens 1 Utama’s new wing



PETALING JAYA: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah launched the 1 Utama shopping centre’s new wing in a grand affair yesterday.

Bandar Utama City Centre Sdn Bhd director Datuk Teo Chiang Kok said the event was significant as the Sultan’s late father Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj had launched the original phase of 1 Utama in 1995.

“We are certain that the special Midas touch of the royal family has brought 1 Utama the success that we have been enjoying all this while.

“We firmly believe that with Tuanku’s Midas touch today, we will continue to build on our success and good fortune,” he said in his welcoming speech.





http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2004/4/3/nation/p2utama.jpg

Royal opening: The Sultan (in grey suit) with (from left) Tengku Amir Shah, Datuk Teo Chiang Kok and Tan Sri Dr Teo Soo Cheng




The Sultan was accompanied by his son the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah at the launch of the new wing called “1 Utama’s extended family.”

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, See Hoy Chan Group chairman Tan Sri Dr Teo Soo Cheng, Tengku Panglima di-Raja Selangor Tengku Sulaiman Shah Alhaj and Tengku Indera Setia Tengku Datuk Seri Ahmad Shah Alhaj were among the over 800 guests who attended the event.

With the expansion, 1 Utama now has over 600 shops and 7,000 parking bays.

Teo said the RM300mil expansion was to meet the demands of the increasingly affluent population in Bandar Utama and enhance the shopping centre’s retail, dining and entertainment experience.

The centre has a conservatory inspired by Malaysia’s tropical rainforest where urbanites can see Kapor or Belian trees.

It also has a canopy walk on a suspension bridge, a rock-climbing feature and waterfall cascading from nine levels above.

The centre's theme floors include Highstreet where the latest fashions are offered and the Promenade where shoppers can take part in scuba diving.

RM300mil expansion gives 1 Utama total of 600 retail outlets



SEE Hoy Chan Holdings Group unit, Bandar Utama City Centre Sdn Bhd, has launched its RM300mil extension of 1 Utama Shopping Centre which, with a total gross area of five million sq ft, makes it possibly the biggest shopping mall in Petaling Jaya.

The extension, referred to as "1 Utama's extended family", has gross lettable retail space of approximately one million sq ft. If the original phase of the shopping centre is included, it has a combined retail space of about 1.68 million sq ft.

With the new phase, which was launched yesterday by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the shopping centre features a total of 600 retail outlets and more than 7,000 parking bays.

Speaking at the launch in Petaling Jaya yesterday, See Hoy Chan Group director Datuk Teo Chiang Kok said over the last six to seven years, there had been a marked increase in Bandar Utama's the standard of living in Bandar Utama and its population's level of affluence.

He said there was a real need to fulfil the increasingly sophisticated expectations of the suburb's growing population and the company had focused its efforts on "developing a shopping centre with a difference."



http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2004/4/3/business/p5sultan.JPG

Sultan Sharafuddin with Datuk Teo Chiang Kok (right) and See Hoy Chan Holdings Group chairman Datuk Teo Soo Cheng (second from left) at the launch of the new wing yesterday.




Two unique features of the expanded shopping centre new expansion is are a three-level overhead pedestrian mall and an underground tunnel that would seamlessly integrates the two phases.

This enables shoppers to are now able to shop in between the two phases without having to make their way through the noise and pollution from heavy traffic.

It also features renowned international retail brands, among which are Calvin Klein's first new concept store in Malaysia, and Polo Ralph Lauren's first suburban store.

A unique prominent feature of 1 Utama is that it has its own iced water-making and storage system that makes ice water at night when there is surplus power supply. The iced water is then utilised during the day daytime to enhance the air-conditioning.

"If other energy users followed our example, we will eventually need smaller capacity power stations. We are doing our bit bid for the environment by tapping idling idle electricity at night; thus we are not competing for peak demand during the day," Teo said.

See Hoy Chan Holdings Group has interests in property development, property investment, plantations, mortgaging and education.

Bandar Utama City Centre is the owner-manager of the shopping centre.

Grand launch for 1-Utama’s impressive wing


By CHOW HOW BAN




A rainforest with an indoor aviary, a Sky Mall with speciality shops on both sides and a Rainbow suspension bridge are among the latest attractions at the 1-Utama shopping centre in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.

They are located at the shopping centre’s new wing, which was launched by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah last Friday.

The RM300mil wing features an unconventional retail mix and unique architecture.

Apart from the rainforest, Sky Mall and suspension bridge, the “extended family” of the shopping centre caters for all the retail, dining and entertainment needs of shoppers.





http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/4/m_pg10bridge.JPG
The suspension bridge over the rainforest area at the new wing.







The indoor aviary near the Pets Wonderland outlet is home to a small collection of birds set amid trees to imitate the cool ambience of a typical Malaysian rainforest.

At the official launch on April 2, Bandar Utama City Centre Sdn Bhd director Datuk Teo Chiang Kok said the expansion of the shopping centre was very much demand-driven.

“Over the last six to seven years, there had been a marked increase in the standard of living and the affluence of Bandar Utama residents,” he said.

He said the original and extended phases of the shopping centre were linked by a three-level overhead pedestrian bridge and an underground tunnel.

Teo said he was pleased that the new wing incorporated many international retail brands.

“The fact that world-class retailers like Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, Brooks Brothers and Sisley, have opened their stores for the first time in Malaysia at 1-Utama, bears testimony to their confidence in the complex as a paradise for shoppers,” he said.

Teo said 1-Utama now offered a total of 5mil sq ft of space, more than 600 unique shops and 7,000 parking bays.

Also present at the launch were the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, See Hoy Chan Holdings Group chairman Tan Sri Dr Teo Soo Cheng, Tengku Panglima di-Raja Selangor Tengku Sulaiman Shah Alhaj and Tengku Indera Setia Tengku Datuk Seri Ahmad Shah Alhaj.

Accompanied by Dr Teo Soo Cheng and Teo Chiang Kok, Sultan Sharafuddin also launched the Win Bandar Utama Homes contest.

In the contest, shoppers who spend up to RM100 in a single receipt or accumulated receipts at any participating outlet at the Highstreet, Oval, Rainforest, Promenade and Promenade Lakeside in the shopping centre from April 2 to Nov 30 will stand to win attractive prizes.

The prizes include a two-and-a-half storey corner house, an intermediate two-and-a-half storey house and a condominium unit.

Bandar Utama City Centre Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of See Hoy Chan Holdings Group, which has interests in property development, property investment, plantations, mortgaging and education.

huwow~ more megamall for KL~ i like that skybridge and forest thingz~ too bad i waz just in KL for 3 days~ onli been to a few mall~ realli would like to go to this one~ :cool:

I am fortunate that SS2 (where i live) is only 10 mins drive from 1u...

Drop by this mall again seed, when you have time... You will not regret it!

Drop by this mall again seed, when you have time... You will not regret it!

alrite~ :okay: when i come back to Malaysia again i will~ maybe we can meet there~ Sze, Baq and me~ :D :okay:

Is the Mozarella burger by Burger King around in KL?

Is the Mozarella burger by Burger King around in KL?

Yeah. But it is not that good mah. Though the focacia bun still taste nice. I rather go for Whooper or Double Cheese Mushroom :eat:

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/midtall1.jpg

the roof
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Midvalley_Megamall_1_.jpeg?9464

very looooooong
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Midvalley_Megamall_2_.jpeg?8858

Malaysia's biggest cineplex - 18 screens
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Midvalley_Megamall_3_.jpeg?5531

Why takde picture of the latest construction of MidValley? I mean the expansion nearest to the construction of MidValley condominium?

Yeah!I wanna c!I predict the floor plate for the condos should be 20++ by now?
BTW,any pics of the expansionfor mid valley mall?

Why takde picture of the latest construction of MidValley? I mean the expansion nearest to the construction of MidValley condominium?

it was night time already and i didn't know there's construction outside when i went there

Yeah!I wanna c!I predict the floor plate for the condos should be 20++ by now?


Think the construction of the MidValley condo already reach the top floor. Honestly, I do think that the construction is a bit slow compared to other condominium construction in Klang Valley.

Cool!How many floors is it suppose to b?30++?

MidValley condos only 22 storeys liao :(
The mysterious one that is adding up on the mall itself is still.....mysterious :D

MidValley condos only 22 storeys liao :(
The mysterious one that is adding up on the mall itself is still.....mysterious :D

Still the construction for the condo is damn slow. I donno why :ohno:
The mysterious construction...ha..ha...no sign about it at all :wallbash:

Is the Yaohan sign box still at KOMTAR?

Is the Yaohan sign box still at KOMTAR?

i think it is still there. i didn't pa attention to it:D

BTW, Yaohan doesn't exist anymore, right??

A month has passed by..so how's the mysterious one doing? Any signs that it'll be taller than IGB? ;)

A month has passed by..so how's the mysterious one doing? Any signs that it'll be taller than IGB? ;)

No sign. But at the other end of MidValley, there was this huge hole digged by them earlier this month..and they erect fences as well around that place...probably another construction coming up..

alrite~ :okay: when i come back to Malaysia again i will~ maybe we can meet there~ Sze, Baq and me~ :D :okay:

Anytime* SEED!! :okay:




* = subject to availability

No sign. But at the other end of MidValley, there was this huge hole digged by them earlier this month..and they erect fences as well around that place...probably another construction coming up..

Yep that's the 2nd phase! woohoo! But too bad I lost the rendering of the whole masterplan! :rant:

Wah the glass at the entrance of Galaxy Ampang looks very kuch like Avenue K's :D

Cool!
Is galaxy ampang the one which was suppose to have a super tall building?

How can you lost the masterplan :?

Yeah. But it is not that good mah. Though the focacia bun still taste nice. I rather go for Whooper or Double Cheese Mushroom :eat:


Mozzarella is available in KL? :?

Where got?!? I've tried it in Singapore and it really tastes nice. :okay: I like their new burger here - Grande Burger.......too bad they no longer serve Garlic Burger.....I really like it! :eat:

Cool!
Is galaxy ampang the one which was suppose to have a super tall building?

Yeah...supposedly. Not sure when the second phase of the building will start. Hope some good anchor tenant will occupy the building cause the surrounding area are full of residential houses.

Not nice la that Grande Burger...why everbody said that it is nice :?

I'll just stick with Whopper - more kenyang! :eat:

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_d9e28297-cb73c03a-511e0a00-ad2a6cf3

From The Edge

MPH to open 3 new stores
By Fintan Ng

MPH Bookstores Sdn Bhd (MPH) is targeting to open three more stores to bring the total number to 28 outlets by year-end, says its chief operating officer Patricia Chen.

It also has two smaller Bookmark stores. The three additional MPH outlets will be located at Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur, Alamanda in Putrajaya and The Curve in Mutiara Damansara.

She said MPH posted a double-digit sales growth for its year ended March 31, 2004.

Chen was speaking to FinancialDaily in Kuala Lumpur on March 31 after the launch of its latest concept store MPH Megastore at 1 Utama by Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said.

Chen said MPH had invested RM10 million in the megastore, which occupies two levels of floor space measuring 40,000 sq ft. It is MPH's second megastore. It opened for business early this year.

The MPH Megastore also houses an MRC Lounge, a juice bar, book café, Internet stations, self-search facilities, function rooms for workshops and an in-built kitchen for cooking demonstrations.

MPH is local company or foreign company??

MPH is local company or foreign company??

Singapore loh..

rupa-rupanya begini...

MPH is local company or foreign company??

MPH is a Singaporean company. It stands for Methodist Publishing House ;)

rupa-rupanya begini...



In fact all our bookstores are Singaporean companies.....

Times ........Popular.........except for Kinokuniya which is Japanese :D

In fact all our bookstores are Singaporean companies.....

Times ........Popular.........except for Kinokuniya which is Japanese :D

wah! i didn't know all Singapore. no local?? not even 1?

Koperasi Universiti Petanian Malaysia :D

I think Mynews.com.my will one day grow into a big bookshop!

Koperasi Universiti Petanian Malaysia :D

I think Mynews.com.my will one day grow into a big bookshop!

hmm.. haven't heard before. malaysia need to catch up on that

Found this homepage of Maju Junction Mall.
Great Mall by the way with a great Food Court.

http://www.majujunction.com/

It looks pretty decent but if a supertall is to match it's color..no way..maybe like Summit USJ liao :no:

Not maybe la..It will look exactly like Summit USJ :(

Maju Junction..nice facade but the tile cladding on the facade is rather a disaster
http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/majujunction1.jpg

Anyone who happen to be inside Maju Junction should try one of the restaurant there..called "MEJAAKU". Nice food.

Anyone who happen to be inside Maju Junction should try one of the restaurant there..called "MEJAAKU". Nice food.

I've always wanted to try that. Which dish you've tried ar? But I don't know lah why whenever I am at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, I always end up at Insaf Restaurant and KFC :D

Oh! you heard of that restaurant also ke? I went there for a buffet previously so don't asked me what food I eat. I have no idea the name of the dishes.

Insaf. Yuks...Expensive and overly charged meal. If you tapau ah..they will charge you extra 1 ringgit :rant:

Oh! you heard of that restaurant also ke? I went there for a buffet previously so don't asked me what food I eat. I have no idea the name of the dishes.

Insaf. Yuks...Expensive and overly charged meal. If you tapau ah..they will charge you extra 1 ringgit :rant:

Wah charging for take aways ah? 1st time ever ni! Usually I dine in only :D
BTW, how much is the buffet there? I always lalu that restaurant whenever at MJ and also I go there for haircuts....tak ade orang and only charge rm10! :D

you don't know they charge extra 1 ringgit for the plastic. Now you know. I Buffet. I don't know cause someone belanja me that day. Can ask my friend later about the price. ;)

Suria KLCC show's fasion.
http://cloud-factory.com/tzihx2/gallery/DSC00631.JPG

SHE: Halter-neck top and pleated A-line skirt from Topshop. HE: Black shirt, tie and suit from Topman.

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797sendbinary.jpg?6141

Denim jacket, tank top and pleated mini skirt from Topshop.

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797sendbinary2.jpg?4540

Shirt, criss-cross tie and suit from Topman.

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797sendbinary3.jpg?2250

Striped bikini top, denim jacket and denim hot pants.(left)Topshop bikini top, tie-front sweat shirt and denim skirt.

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797sendbinary1.jpg?5284

V-neck blouse, bikini top and denim hot pants from Topshop.

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797sendbinary4.jpg?2204

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797sendbinary4.jpg?2204
For a catwalk model, she's really cute :cool:

Is this Malaysia's first Ikea?

http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2003/8/p21Ikea.jpg

Does Malaysia have stores like Muji,City Super or Page one?

Is this Malaysia's first Ikea?

http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2003/8/p21Ikea.jpg


I ever went to Damansara with Szehoong for my last trip too,Thanks to you!!
but I never tell in my trip's thread B coz I care for lot of mistake for my ENGlish explaination,so..so dun't know how I can to explain.

but yes.. IKEA in Malaysia is the biggest in Asia 'till I could see by myself with accompanying and narration.
...............................................................................................

IKEA to invest RM120m in centre
Friday August 15, 2003

IKEA Malaysia, which plans to achieve up to RM500mil in sales in the next five to six years, is investing RM120mil to develop Power Centre, a three-storey retail complex next to its newly opened flagship store in Mutiara Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

IKEA Group of Companies chairman Hans Goran Stennert said Power Centre was an American term for a cluster of major retail players in a single location with only a few smaller supporting retailers.

He said 80% of the retail complex, which has a built-up area of 45,000 sq m, would be occupied by anchor tenants. IKEA, he said, had already identified two anchor tenants - the operators of Cold Storage supermarket outlets and Australia-based electrical and furniture chain store Harvey Norman.


http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2003/8/15/business/p3Hans.jpg
Hans Goran Stennert outside the IKEA store in Mutiara Damansara


“Power Centre is aimed at complementing our home furnishing store and providing long-term recurring income,” he said after the launch of IKEA's store in Mutiara Damansara, Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Power Centre, which will open in December, is linked to IKEA store via the car parks to both premises.

Stennert also said the new RM180mil IKEA store, ....the biggest IKEA .....Store in the Asia-Pacific and 36,000 sq m in size, would be generating RM400mil to RM500mil in annual sales in the next five years.

IKEA has estimated sales at its newly opened flagship store at RM180mil in its first year of operations from RM130mil projected for the year ending Aug 31. The company achieved sales of RM125mil in 2002.

“IKEA’s vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people.

“We do this by offering a wide range of well designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them,” he said.

The new store is IKEA’s 184th worldwide.

Stennert said Malaysia had always played a big part in the success of IKEA’s vision, particularly in Asia-Pacific.

“Through the personal interest of our founder, Ingvar Kamprad, we have been purchasing Malaysian-made products for IKEA worldwide since 1984,” he added.

Going forward, IKEA will be setting up stores in Johor and Penang.

IKEA Malaysia general manager Joseph Lau said the new store, which carried more than 7,000 home furnishing products compared with 4,000 items at the previous store in Bandar Utama, has the capacity to carry about 10,000 items.

The store's relocation was mainly to cater to the increasing demand for IKEA products.

Stennert said over the last three years, IKEA group had invested more than RM400mil in Malaysia, including more than RM230mil on its international procurement centre (IPC) in Shah Alam.

The IPC is Asia’s largest single purpose built distribution warehouse.

IKEA group currently employs about 1,000 workers in Malaysia.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/8/15/business/6063742&sec=business

IKEA Malaysia.The biggest in Asia.
pictures by Lim Khee Boon.

http://www.pbase.com/boon3887/ikea&page=all

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797IKEA1.jpg?9583

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797IKEA2.jpg?7037

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797IKEA3.jpg?5404

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797IKEA4.jpg?3514

Thanks for the pics Naz! MUTIARA DAMANSARA RAWKSSSS!!! :cool:

Well Im sure its the biggest in Asia since most countries in Asia don't have that much space for a two level structure.

what's with Ikea? Does it really have to be that big for a furniture store?

Since it's big then must be really something, huh? ;)
Anyway, it has way more show lots than the previous one at 1 Utama plus the IKEA part of the building includes the warehouse and 2 food courts. The whole complex includes Harvey Norman, a food court and many other great stuffs.

what's with Ikea? Does it really have to be that big for a furniture store?


All the Ikea's in USA are that big, and yes they do need it that big. Showrooms are in the second floors while the self pick up area is at the bottom floor before cashiers.

Panorama during the Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/panomid.jpg

Some nice pics of it:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/58340831KwftkV_ph.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/suriaklccpark1.jpg

i think it is still there. i didn't pa attention to it:D

BTW, Yaohan doesn't exist anymore, right??
Yaohan Co. (the Japan-based parent company) went bust in the late 90s due to the economic crisis... Something like what happened to Sogo and Mitsukoshi (izzit?)...

Aktif Corp. took over that dept. store chain and renamed all Yaohan stores Aktif Lifestyle (rotten name, IMO)... They were doing okay for several years until 2003, when Aktif themselves went into PN4 listing in the Bursa Malaysia (KLSE at that time)...

In 2004, Parkson Corp. bought over the struggling chain and temporarily converted all AL stores into Parkson Aktif... Just about a couple of months back, Parkson Aktif stores were all to be rebranded into Parkson Grand... The first conversion was at The Mall outlet, then followed by Sunway Pyramid... If i'm not mistaken, the remaining three (in OUG, Komtar, and Seremban) will become Grand stores by year-end...

Sunway Pyramid! LOVELY SETTING!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/108840370NyNMKO_ph.jpg

Thanks for the info Clie. Parkson is doing well in China. I wonder how their concept is there. Parkson U in 1 Utama has a great interior.

Here's a pic of Suria taken by SzeHoong from UOA building during New Years 2003 ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/DSCN0126smV1.jpg

http://www.pierluigisurace.it/imagerie/images/aatw/DOT_Malaysia_Kuala_Lumpur_City_Centre_2.jpg
http://www.southernballoonworks.com/klccbash3aug02.jpg

hmmm..this is new. Are you in KL now Baq?

How I wish! :D
BTW, that is of past years ones lar..I dun think it's last year's either

Ha..ha..I thought that it was from this year punya. ;)

hmmm..this is new. Are you in KL now Baq?

This is definitely not this year's as one could see Baskin Robbin (next to Tamiya). Baskin Robbin is now no more there :(

Mines Shopping mall - Canal in the middle of the mall!
http://www.mines.com.my/shopping.asp

http://srv.fotopages.com/2/1171150.jpg
Mines Shopping Fair - canal

If you're in Malaysia, don't forget to visit this shopping center, some where near the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. They are currently developing the area around the lake into a housing estate. Homes with their very own mini-marina, where you can call to get a water taxi to pick you up from your home, straight to the shopping mall! Yup, bye bye to traffic jams! :D

http://www.mortenmeyer.com/Photos/Mines.jpg

Never like Mines...

I think I can see Putra place shopping mall (orange builing) which is located in the UMNO building area.cool :)

Putra place shopping mall
http://www.pbase.com/boon3887/putra_place

http://www.rsfc.com.my/Photos/klscene05.jpg

This pic I can see Puta bus terminal and Putra KTM komuter station and PWTC STAR line!!!

http://www.rsfc.com.my/Photos/klscene06.jpg

Sunway pyramid shopping mall.

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797sun.JPG?9811

Malaysia's first privately-owned monorail within a township The Bandar Sunway Monorail

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797SunwayMono-5g.jpg?5480

the station.

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~ajh/trains/asia/malaysia/SunwayMono-2.jpg

To the township.

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~ajh/trains/asia/malaysia/SunwayMono-6.jpg

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~ajh/trains/asia/malaysia/SunwayMono-7.jpg

terima kasih/thank you.

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~ajh/trains/asia/malaysia/SunwayMono-4.jpg

C'mon all you locals - tell us of your fave centres/shops please.

Personally i like KLCC & Sungei Wang - for different reasons

Gary

I like Sungei Wang and Ampang Park if I'm searching for handphones...

I like Imbi Plaza or Low Yat Plaza if I'm searcing for IT related stuffs...

:D:D:D

Should I make a choice. I happen to like all the shopping mall in KL....well, I don't like Sogo or The Mall.

Should I make a choice. I happen to like all the shopping mall in KL....well, I don't like Sogo or The Mall.

Ehh... The Mall with the new Parkson not bad what... got new food court and nice shops below... ahh... thinking of dat... I may be going there today as I'm going to the Computer Fair @ PWTC...

I like all shopping malls......Like most have said here.....I go to different malls to different reason.

But for overall mall.....hmmm I like Suria KLCC, Midvalley Megamall and Sg. Wang Plaza ;)

One Utama would have to be No.1

Reasons?
1. easy to park
2. HUGE variety in shops
3. decent interior
4. yummy eating selections
5. beautiful people

i like 1-utama as well..

how bout sunway piramid and the mines? no one mention them.. perhaps too far?..

KLCC - Ampang park - Imbi station - BB - Mid valley are the best for KL. :)
some here mention to Sungei Wang ( Is that expensive mall? ).Don't know what's speacial?!

1-utama (impressive) - sunway pyramid (unique) - the mines (funny) - IKEA mall (biggest) are the best for urban :)