Street-side shopping, once the archetype retail concept, is fast making
a comeback in the country’s commercial landscape, with more and more developers building on its appeal.

More than just an urge to go retro, the return to open air, al fresco experiences is in keeping with the trend among today’s consumers to come out into the open instead of being cooped up inside enclosed and weatherproof shopping centres.

But if it was the weather that “coaxed” them indoors previously, it is technological advances in cooling an open environment as well as the
skilled planning by architects in designing projects that can partially shelter shoppers from the elements that is permitting consumers to emerge.

Taking the form of shopunits flanking a pedestrian mall that can be the platform for communities to interact and “people watch”, many of these projects carrying a “Walk” tagline are taking shape in and around the
Klang Valley.

And it’s not just a Malaysian phenomenon. According to Shopping Centre and
Highrise Association of Malaysia (PPK) president Joyce Yap, there is “ a global movement to once again revisit the outdoors”.

“We first noticed the trend when al fresco dining in conventional shophouse precincts such as Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur became a hit,” she said. “Since then, more developers and retail operators have identified this consumer preference and are capitalising on it by providing new generation models.”

After years of being “boxed in”, Yap said open-air malls are simply a refreshingly different experience for shoppers.

However, she pointed out that while the pedestrian mall concept has thrived overseas for some time now, success on our shores depends on
how well it is conceptualised and its relevance to local culture.


Wangsa Maju’s focal point

One example of a mall that is banking on community interaction to make it succeed is Wangsa Walk, a new shopping hub being developed on 10 acres in the rapidly-growing neighbourhood of Wangsa Maju in KL.

To be developed by Landmarks Land & Properties Sdn Bhd (LLP), the RM30 million mall will be defined by a 1,312ft-long walk providing shoppers with a host of retail, F&B and entertainment outlets.

Envisioned to become the social nucleus for the township, Wangsa Walk aims to “popularise Wangsa Maju by giving it a focal point”, said
LLP general manager Tan Ching Meng.

“Wangsa Walk is to be a family-oriented hub… we want to create an ultimate hang-out place for the vicinity so that while parents shop or
relax, children will have ample amenities to keep themselves entertained.”

The “strip mall”, as Tan called it, will have a distinctive flea market feel, with retail stalls spilling out onto the 40ft-wide walkway. The
strip will be adorned with lush landscaping and feature an
amphitheatre for events and live entertainment, besides facilities to permit skateboarding and roller-blading.

A key amenity, he said, will be the provision of more than 900 carpark lots along the length of the mall’s perimeter, making it convenient for “quick shoppers” to drive in and out of desired sections
along the walk without hassle.

Wangsa Walk will offer 90 rent-only shop units, with LLP controlling the retail mix that Tan said will comprise 30 per cent convenience stores, 30
per cent entertainment outlets, 25 per cent F&B and the balance for beauty centres, clinics, pet shops and money-changers.

Units will come in dimensions of 25ft by 75ft, and will be pegged at a rate “not far off the RM5psf mark”.

“In line with the mall’s theme, the units will be designed to allow for natural lighting and ventilation, which will help our tenants keep
energy costs low,” Tan said.

When completed by late 2007, the mall will serve a catchment population of
175,000 living within a 2km radius, made up largely of middle-income earners.


A distinctive experience for Seremban

Another pedestrian mall with clear purpose is Era Walk, a 1,000ft-long main feature within the Era Square commercial project in Seremban,
Negeri Sembilan.

Undertaken by Era Baru Sdn Bhd, it aims to “bring a whole new retail experience” to the State capital.

“We wanted to offer something new and dynamic for Seremban,” said the company’s managing director Loo Way Men.

“Enclosed shopping centres are the norm here, so Era Walk will be distinctive with its open-air emphasis featuring eye-catching landscaping.”

A key appeal of Era Walk will be its 75ft-wide partially-sheltered
pedestrian mall flanked on either side by shop-office blocks.

This, he said, will be the hotspot for shopping, eating and lounging
as it will offer space, good airflow and provide shoppers and diners alike with freedom of movement and comfort.

When completed by 2009, the mall will have an open stage for cultural performances and for businesses to promote their products.

The covered mall will house 64 units of three- and four-storey shop-offices, a bus terminal to be called Terminal Two, and a four-storey shopping centre with a five-storey car-park. These units will be for sale to buyers that Loo envisages will include F&B outlets.

The official launch for this phase is only scheduled for September but already, 85 per cent of the shop-offices have been taken up.

According to Loo, this is testament to the pent-up demand in Seremban for such a concept.

The RM200 million development is situated on elevated land and is surrounded by schools and housing estates, including Taman Permai, Taman Bukit Lemon and Taman Bukit Intan.

The Terminal One bus station-cum-shopping complex is located 500m away and will be linked to the Terminal Two station via a covered pedestrian link.


A path to the future in Shah Alam

One of the more dynamic examples of how a pedestrian mall can bring life to a vicinity will be CityWalk, part of the visionary RM1.5 billion I-City township taking place in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Here, the 1,000ft mall designed by world-renowned architect Jon A. Jerde of the United States is not just a stage for entertainment and events – it will in itself be an attraction.

Its developer, main-board listed I-Bhd, is prepared to spend RM40
million to equip its walk with a light and sound system that can interact
with the public and respond to events and celebrations.

Dubbed a new generation “dynamic” pedestrian promenade, I-Bhd’s executive director Monica Ong said it will be one of the pull factors that will “encourage a visitation of 12 million a year” when CityWalk is completed in early 2008.

Among its beneficiaries will be the tenants in the 80 rent only retail outlets that will flank the promenade, as well as the occupants of the 74 stratified retail-suites nearby that are being primed for sale.

“The 80 units flanking the walk will be for businesses wanting to set up themed F&B outlets, concept stores, flagship enterprises and fashion centres,” she said.

CityWalk is the first of its kind in the region and could be the
pioneer in what other walks in the country could shape up to look like.

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