Jaya Shopping Centre to reopen in April

PETALING JAYA: Jaya Shopping Centre is due to reopen in April, five years after its demolition and subsequent redevelopment.

The new seven-storey mall has more than 150 lots over 270,000 sq ft (25,084 sq m) of net lettable area, said developer Jaya Section Fourteen Sdn Bhd’s assistant general manager Ismail Ani Arope.

Over 80% of the mall is already tenanted by food and beverage outlets and shops offering services and products related to health and beauty, and lifestyle and entertainment (including a cinema).

“Jaya Shopping Centre is a neighbourhood mall for Klang Valley residents. What makes it different is its rich retail experience, strong ties with the community, unique family values and strategic location,” he told The Edge Financial Daily via email.

He estimated about 30% of the tenants are returning ones including Nelson’s, Poh Kong Jewellery and Hing’s Watch, with the new retailers being Best Denki electronics store, CIMB Bank, and Chilli’s Bar and Grill, among others.

According to Ismail, the mall has a floor dedicated for start-ups and is designed with human touches such as a racecourse layout which makes all retail lots visible to shoppers, a five-level glass curtain wall that overlooks Jalan Semangat and al fresco dining.

The cost of the mall’s redevelopment is just under RM400 million.

The mall was the first shopping complex in PJ when it was built in 1974.

It made headlines when the building collapsed during demolition and claimed seven lives.

“We cannot erase the past ... Our retail mix and building design is [based on feedback from the community and retailers in the vicinity].

“We know the [the public] is looking forward to the opening of Jaya Shopping Centre. Retailers ... are [also] excited to set up their respective businesses [in the mall],” said Ismail.


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 14, 2014.