Any area with a good neighbourhood mall is likely to be popular versus one without. In fact the property prices in these areas with a nice neighbourhood mall is likely to appreciate faster or even stay strong during slower times. Of course, the worst would always be to be right next to a neighbourhood mall which could not sustain its operations and have to close. Recently, another new one opened in Damansara Jaya.
ATRIA mall in Damansara Jaya has reopened. It is said to be a nostalgic one for many who have shopped there long time ago before all the newer and modern shopping centres opened. It’s has a total gettable area of 470,000 sf. Thus, not as big as Paradigm Mall (700,000 sf) but very slightly bigger than Tropicana City Mall (435,000 sf ft). All the 470,000sf is housed within a 5-storey complex. As reported by The Star, total outlets opened for business is already close to 70 percent during its soft opening.
My sister-in-law’s favourite brand, Mango has also opened it’s largest outlet in Malaysia here in Atria. Next from UK as well as my daughter’s favourite Hamley’s has also opened their stores here. I feel Hamley’s is better than Toy r Us because it’s much more interactive instead of just a typical toy store. The staffs are also somehow more motivated. Haha. No idea about their compensation comparison though. If you would like to know about all the outlets there, do take a stroll, perhaps this weekend or even the next.
This is totally rebuilt mall and thus the only thing connected to the old one would the site and the name. Other than that, the whole building was demolished by OSK and rebuilt. According to OSK Property executive director Ong Ju Xing, the old mall they bought gave them too much restrictions and thus decision was made to demolish and rebuild. He then commented that he hope that Atria would be the best neighbourhood mall around.
Personally, for any neighbourhood mall to be successful I think the mall operator must make sure it’s big enough that one can visit with family and has everything for everyone. The usual brands are definitely okay but it must have all varieties and a really clean and big enough supermarket. Food outlets must also be plenty so that one is spoilt for choice overtime they visit. As usual, it must be of multinational in nature; Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Western would be my very minimum requirement. Parking MUST be enough and must be FREE for some time to build up the momentum of visitors. So, actually, it’s pretty easy to be a successful neighbourhood mall! Any mall operator thinking short term is not going to succeed and may end up like SS2 Mall which is now undergoing restructuring to be another very good neighbourhood mall in the future. Happy supporting a good neighbourhood mall.
written on 30 May 2015
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