In addition to the Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA and Atria Shopping Gallery opening in May, another nostalgic landmark within Kuala Lumpur is set to re-open its doors this month.
Strategically located on Jalan Putra opposite the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) and Seri Pacific Hotel (formerly known as Pan Pacific Hotel), Sunway Putra Mall is ready to show off its revamped image to the public and relive its glory days after a major turnaround exercise.
Sunway Putra Place (Source: Sunway Property)
One of the most popular shopping destinations in Kuala Lumpur during the 1990’s, Putra Place (as it was previously known) was the ‘it’ place for locals and foreigners alike. It was one of the pioneers of mixed development projects comprising a shopping mall, hotel and office tower. People from the city and its suburbs thronged The Mall on weekends and public holidays, which housed Malaysia’s first Yaohan Departmental Store; businesses and white-collar workers occupied office space in the Putra Place office tower above it, and visitors to the city enjoyed their stay in the Legend Hotel & Service Apartments.
Unfortunately, the economy crisis and growth of newer, more ‘updated’ shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur saw the place greatly diminished to a shadow of its former glory. In April 2011, Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust (SREIT) announced its intention to purchase the entire Putra Place for RM513.95 million in public auction, but was involved in a series of legal battles with previous owner Metroplex and several other parties. Ultimately, the Federal Court decided in favour of SREIT, and in May 2013, renovation works began.
The property was then renamed Sunway Putra Place, of which the three components will be known as Sunway Putra Hotel & Serviced Apartments, Sunway Putra Tower and Sunway Putra Mall. Its proximity to the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Umno building and Seri Pacific Hotel (formerly Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur), coupled with easy accessibility via bus, KTM, LRT, and taxi, make it the perfect location for convention-goes, foreign visitors, and casual shoppers.
Sunway Putra Mall with elevated link pedestrian walkway (Source: Sunway Putra Mall)
Major tenants at the Sunway Putra Mall include TGV Cinemas, Cold Storage, Taste Enclave, Popular Bookstores, Padini Concept Store, Daiso, HLK Electrical Store, SportsDirect.com, MANGO, Kaison, Effective Herbs and Uniqlo. There will also be a huge variety of fashion, household, IT, entertainment and dining outlets to cater to appeal its target of mid- to middle-upper income groups.
(Source: Sunway Putra Mall)
The brand new Sunway Putra Mall will comprise 4 signature zones:
- Vanity Hall for women’s fashion and beauty;
- Market Place for household and grocery essentials;
- Selera Street for local and international cuisine; and
- Asian Avenue for the latest fashion trends, IT gadgets, and street foodies.
Longtime visitors to the re-branded mall will be pleased to know that the landmark dining area “Medan Hang Tuah” in the former The Mall will be restored to its old charm, providing foodies with local Malaysian street fare. The hotel and office components are renovated on a progressive basis and slated for completion six to nine months later than the opening of the mall.
The soft-opening for Sunway Putra Mall is on 28 May 2015 (Thursday).
References:
PTLM
Sunway Putra Mall Facebook page
Sunway Putra Mall official website
