What To Expect From Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport KL?

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What To Expect From Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport KL?

The glittering Bukit Bintang shopping district is set to gain a new retail magnet. According to the official website, the much-anticipated and rather elongated-named Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport KL will open on 20 January 2022.

The nucleus of the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) mixed-use development, boasting a whopping gross development value of RM8.7 billion, is the maiden shopping centre in Southeast Asia to bear the imprint LaLaport.

What can you expect from Bukit Bintang City Centre?

Built on the site of the century-old Pudu Prison, which was completely demolished in 2012, BBCC is a joint development by EcoWorld, UDA Holdings and Employees Provident Fund. The ground-breaking ceremony took place in 2017 and construction began in 2018. The 19.4-acre land on which the development sits is on the intersection between Merdeka 118, the world’s second tallest building, Hang Tuah LRT and monorail stations, and Berjaya Times Square.

Upon its full completion, the mega project will house a shopping mall, hotel, offices, residences, green spaces and the 80-storey-tall BBCC Signature Tower. Phase 1 is approaching completion as of writing. Already Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport KL, Lucentia Residences and The Stride Strata Office have risen off the ground.

What can you expect from Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport KL?

The built-up area of the shopping centre measures 1.4 million square feet, with approximately 861,000 square feet lettable, as stated in the official press release, across 10 levels. Managed by Mitsui, the mall will accommodate close to 400 stores, a number of which originate from Japan and are debuting in Malaysia. The Japanese retail group also operates Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang, which opened in 2015.

While the majority of LaLaport centres are located in Japan, Kyodo News reported that Mitsui inaugurated the first-ever overseas outpost in Shanghai in April 2021, with a couple more to follow suit in Taiwan.

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Mitsui envisions that the mall will become Malaysia’s first new experience and lifestyle proposal-oriented retail destination. A culture and hobby zone will be created to cater to varied interests. The edifice combines a hybrid of outdoor and indoor sections with an expansive landscaped rooftop garden.

Japanese retail groups debuting in Malaysia include Nitori (home and living), Nojima (electronics), Star Child (nursery) and Coo & Riku (pets). Thai F&B operator Nitinagin & Co will also be debuting, while Malaysian celebrity chef Chef James Won will inaugurate Shin’Labo, a restaurant marrying modern French techniques with exquisite Japanese produce, and Malaysian indigenous ingredients.

Others are Kobe bakery DONQ/Mini One, yakiniku restaurant Yakiniku Sizzle by Yakiniquest, ice cream parlour Matcha Eight, steak specialist Tamaruya Honten Steakhouse and eyewear purveyor Zoff.

Confirmed tenants are GSC Cineplex, Jaya Grocer, Polo Ralph Lauren, Aigner, Hackett London, Beer Bank, Marta’s Kitchen, Rollerwa+, Jonetz by Don Don Donki and Metrojaya, while unique attractions include the country’s first Zepp, a Sony-affiliated live music hall catering up to 2,500 patrons, and Grand Bazaar, a retail showcase of local artisanal products. Excluding KL, Zepp currently operates 9 concert halls throughout Japan and Taiwan, playing host to a string of international artists.

Ippudo will also be opening its 10th branch in Malaysia here.

Meanwhile, Depachika Marche is located at LG1 to facilitate takeaways, Gourmet Street located at GF caters to al fresco dining, and Garden Dining at L4 is a food court that allows greater mobility for children. The Central Rooftop Garden at L4 features a roofed step stage enveloped by lush greenery.