IKEA Southeast Asia will soon welcome the public to the first phase of a shopping centre that will be directly linked to the popular blue-box home furnishing store in Northern Malaysia, bringing a vibrant new mix of retailers to Aspen Vision City.
The integrated retail component to IKEA Batu Kawan is part of the master plan for Aspen Vision City, a joint venture of IKEA Southeast Asia and Aspen Group.
Encasing a total of approximately 20 units, this new retail destination aims to become a vibrant hub in the growing Batu Kawan township. The retail extension will open in the fourth quarter of 2019 and as of now, 85% of the space is leased to tenants who will enhance the shopping experience of the IKEA store.
Tenants that are set to establish themselves in the upcoming retail landmark include; Sports Direct, Project Rock, 7-Eleven and Harvey Norman. This outlet of Harvey Norman is unique as it is the very first time the superstore is taking its concept outside of the Klang Valley, that will be housed within a 50,000sf space.
“We are grateful for the relationships we have built with long-term partners like Harvey Norman. Together, we can live up to our mission of creating vibrant meeting places for the masses - going beyond just shopping,” said IKEA Southeast Asia managing director Christian Rojkjaer.
Christian added, “In the region, five of our IKEA stores are anchors for shopping centres - a retail recipe that has been proven to attract millions of visitors, including some who drive hours for a great day out with family and friends.
In Penang, the first phase of our integrated shopping centre will offer a unique tenant mix to deliver something for everyone and provide a great base for many more partners to join in the coming years as we grow.”
IKEA Southeast Asia Shopping Centre and Mixed-Use director Christian Olofsson expressed, “We look for tenants that meet the need of the people in our community. In the four months since we opened IKEA Batu Kawan, we have seen that Penangites often visit on lunch breaks as well as during dinner time. Thus, we will focus on bringing in F&B outlets and convenient grab-and-go services.
We also see the opportunity for other leisure, entertainment and sporting retailers to serve the growing township of Batu Kawan.” The integrated retail component to IKEA Batu Kawan is part of the master plan for Aspen Vision City, a joint-venture of IKEA Southeast Asia and Aspen Group.
Aspen Group president and group chief operating officer Dato’ Murly Manokharan said, “our ambition is to develop a model state for smart living and IKEA is a major catalyst, attracting other businesses that want to be part of a modern and intelligent township of the future.”
Murly added, “We want to create a convenient destination that is at the heart of a walkable community where people can work, shop, dine, study, and create positive memories together with their loved ones.”
“Vervea is a commercial precinct that will feature three and four-storey shop offices in Aspen Vision City that is now ready for business. We welcome the local retailers and corporate entities to join us,” Murly explained.
In the heart of Vervea is a 38,000sf trade centre dubbed Vervea Trade and Exhibition Centre (VTEC) that comprises versatile event halls, function rooms, food preparation and service areas that can cater to large scale trade events as well as fairs.
VTEC is slated for occupancy by the fourth quarter of 2019.
(2 August 2019)
