Space U8 to open in June

KUALA LUMPUR: Space U8, Malaysia's first eco-mall developed by Mainstay Development Sdn Bhd is scheduled to open in June. The RM200 million mall located within Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam is currently 90% complete.

Mainstay Development Sdn Bhd executive chairman Raja Mohd Azmi Raja Razali said the mall, which is currently 50% tenanted, will also host Shah Alam's first ever cineplex. The MBO Cineplex will comprise seven theatres, or 1,300 seating capacity. He expects Space U8 to be 70% to 80% occupied by the time it opens.

"The project has evolved from our initial plans of a shophouse-like environment. Space U8 is unique as it combines various key elements such as a 70,000 sq ft courtyard that is suitable for all sorts of events and expositions, a 24-lane bowling centre and a 10,000 sq ft IT Centre," he said.

There will also be a 16,000 sq ft fresh market area on the ground floor known as Fresh Boulevard and a 10,000 sq ft food court among other food and beverage outlets. It is currently in talks with other retailers including the Metrojaya Group, Courts Mammoth and Celebrity Fitness, Raja Mohd Azmi said at a media briefing on Thursday, Jan 27.

"Major tenants include the bowling alley and a supermarket," he added. Out of the 200 retail units in Space U8, Raja Mohd Azmi said 90% have been sold. The developer owns parts of the mall, including the courtyard, atrium and car park.

The 4-level complex has a total net lettable area of 600,000 sq ft. The ground floor will comprise food and beverage outlets, banking, retail, the Fresh Boulevard and the IT centre, while the first floor will feature fashion retailers. The second floor will offer education-related retailers while the third floor comprises sports, health & wellness outlets, bowling alley, cinema and a karaoke centre.

Close to RM10 mil was spent on the green features of the mall, which is expected to obtain the Green Building Index certification upon completion. Among its green features are rainwater harvesting, solar panels on the roof that will provide sufficient electricity to the common areas, as well as using tyres for the foundation, which reduces the building's temperature and help maintain the central courtyard's temperature at 25°C.

"We're just 15 minutes from Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Kelana Jaya, Klang and Denai Alam, so we're quite confident that Space U8 is going to be the next sought after location and popular destination for those who don't want to head towards Kuala Lumpur," he added. The developer is also planning to build a premier surau within the development although the design has yet to be confirmed.

The mall is targeted at medium to upper income families and the developer said there is an immediate catchment of 200,000 from surrounding townships such as Denai Alam, Ara Damansara as well as Bukit Jelutong.

Meanwhile, the developer is looking to launch its first residential development near Putrajaya sometime in April or May this year. It will comprise 40 bungalows with common facilities featuring green elements. Aside from the upcoming launch of its residential project just five minutes from Alamanda Putrajaya shopping centre in Putrajaya, the developer also owns a tract in Dengkil, Selangor.

"Our projects will have green elements. We will be looking at various opportunities within the next two years. It is important Space U8 does well as it is our first signature development," he added.