It’s undeniable that shopping malls around the world have been facing strict competition from online shopping platforms in the last five years and this has caused most shopping malls to become nearly desolate, some to the point of closure.
Malaysia’s among the countries that are affected by the situation, though local developers are still actively building new shopping malls. However, the construction of these upcoming malls has to be momentarily halted when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, leaving the government with no choice but to enforce the Movement Control Order (MCO) for months and developers had to stop all construction works.
Following this, these new shopping mall projects had to delay their openings to new dates. So here we at The Hive Asia list down 10 shopping malls that have delayed their grand opening.
The Exchange TRX
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| (Photo source: goldenemperor.com) |
The Exchange TRX shopping mall attracted attention due to its unique feature: a 10-acre wide rooftop garden. The mall was scheduled to open at the end of 2021, but with its construction having been delayed by MCO, it has recently been rescheduled to open in 2022.
KL East Mall
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| (Photo source: theedgemarkets.com) |
KL East Mall is Sime Darby Property Bhd’s first shopping mall, which was initially scheduled to begin operations earlier this year. But it had to be delayed to this 25 November. With a 1.2 million sq ft gross built-up, among the upcoming mall’s tenants are Blue Ice-Skating Rink, MBO Cinemas, Jaya Grocer, H&M, Harvey Norman, and Jungle Gym.
Setia City Mall Phase 2
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| (Photo source: eddyrushfatboys.asia) |
The biggest mall in Shah Alam, namely Setia City Mall, has added a second phase that’s known as the Setia City Mall Phase 2. The 450,000 kaki sq ft addition brings the mall’s total sq ft to 1.2 million. Originally scheduled to open last June, the opening has since been delayed due to MCO, though the developers have yet to announce the new launch date.
Mitsui Shopping Park Lalaport
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| (Photo source: mitsuifudosan-asia.com) |
While previously the Mitsui shopping mall was only available in Sepang, now there’s an upcoming branch Mitsui Shopping Park Lalaport in Kuala Lumpur, located at Jalan Hang Tuah. With its 844,000 sq ft, it will be able to house 350 shop lots. It was expected to be fully completed and operational by 2021, but due to a three-month delay during construction, the opening date might be delayed. However, further details on this have yet to be confirmed.
Pavilion Bukit Jalil
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| (Photo source: thestar.com) |
Bukit Jalil residents will have a brand new, all modern shopping mall – Pavilion Bukit Jalil. Set to be one of the biggest shopping malls in Malaysia, the 50-acre development will include the 1.8 million sq ft mall, plus a housing area, a commercial area and various amenities. According to the original plan, Pavilion Bukit Jalil was supposed to begin operation in 2021, but its actual launch date is still not confirmed.
Pavilion Damansara Heights
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| (Photo source: konzepte.asia) |
Another Pavilion shopping mall will be opened, except this one is at Damansara Heights. Like the previous two Pavilion malls, this mixed development offers luxury residence, office tower and a 1.2 million sq ft mall. It is expected to only begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Warisan Merdeka Mall
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| (Photo source: realpm-intl.com) |
Having made history with Suria KLCC, Malaysia is all set to create another mark in history with Warisan Merdeka Mall or Merdeka 118. The mall features a 118-storey building that includes offices, hotel, luxury condos, and commercial centre. Once completed, it will be the highest building in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, as well as the second highest in the world. Constructions begun in 2014 and was originally expected to begin operations in 2021, but until now there’s no update on its actual launch date, with its construction works having been delayed for three months due to the pandemic.
IOI City Mall Phase 2
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| (Photo source: malaysiapropertys.com) |
IOI City Mall Putrajaya is the main shopping mall for nearby residents and is often packed with visitors on the weekends. Now, the second phase is under construction, adding 1.2 million sq ft to the mall, which will then have a total of 3 million sq ft. Same with other modern shopping malls, it will include an office building, hotel and luxurious housing. The project was originally expected to be fully completed by end of 2021, but now it might be delayed to the first quarter of 2022, as the construction had to be halted during MCO. The opening date is yet to be confirmed.
Sunway Paya Terubong
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| (Photo source: sunwayproperty.com) |
Penang might not be among the biggest states in Malaysia but there’s no denying that it has even more modern shopping malls compared to the bigger neighbouring state Kedah. Penangites will be welcoming the brand-new Sunway Paya Terubong, but it is expected to be fully completed only in 2023.
Sunway Tambun
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| (Photo source: thestar.com) |
It might be known to many that Ipoh also has its own Sunway City like in the Klang Valley. Previously, there was only a popular water park there, but in the near future, Ipoh residents will welcome a modern shopping mall: Sunway Tambun. Same as Sunway Paya Terubong, the mall is expected to be fully completed by 2023.
(Photo source: realpm-intl.com | theedgemarkets.com | goldenemperor.com | thestar.com | mitsuifudosan-asia.com | sunwayproperty.com)