AMAN Central, the largest and “best looking” lifestyle shopping mall in Kedah opened its doors to the public with much pomp and grandeur.
Despite the slight haze and morning downpour, thousands of visitors thronged the mall since early yesterday.
They were seen making a beeline for certain fashion and beverage retail outlets as early as 7am for the special promotions and goodies.
Located in the heart of Alor Setar city, the six-storey mall with 1,700 parking lots directly faces the symbolic Alor Setar Tower in Lebuhraya Darulaman.
The RM500mil project boasts of a wide range of tenants and brands, local and international, with some 80% of them making their debut in the state.
The mall is anchored by Parkson, Sam’s Groceria, and Golden Screen Cinemas, and houses many ‘first-in-Kedah’ brands such as H&M, Uniqlo, Guess, Padini Concept Store, Pandora, Nando’s, Starbucks Coffee, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Baskin Robbins, Chi Fitness, Sports Direct and others.
Spanning over 1.25milsq ft of gross floor area and 780,000sq ft of lettable area, the main attraction is the ‘Aman Walk’, an alfresco area designed with two levels of outside seating areas to take advantage of the Alor Setar Tower view.
It is also expected to pull in one million visitors from Perlis, southern Thailand and Penang.
Aman Central owner Datuk Sonny Ho, who is also managing director of Belleview Group, which built the mall, thanked the state government for its trust, support and cooperation in the project.
“This is the birth of the iconic building that Kedah has been waiting for. Life for Kedahans will never be the same again.
“It’s a shopping mall that everybody wanted and a building that all retailers were looking forward to,” he told the press after the soft launching ceremony yesterday.
During the opening, 75% of the 330 outlets were opened, and by December, 90% of the leased outlets would be operating and full occupancy was expected by the first quarter of next year.
He added that it will usually take about 10 years for a mall to get back its investment but he has not set the target for Aman Central.
“For the next three years, we’ll still concentrate on development in the northern region as there are still a lot of potential here.
“I wish that Visit Kedah Year 2016 will be launched at the mall and be made the state’s latest tourist spot,” added Ho.
Ho’s wife Datin Suryani was also present at the soft opening of the Amansuri Residences Sales Centre in the mall.
The first luxury condominium in Alor Setar comprising two towers with 277 units, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The opening yesterday also marked Parkson’s 44th store nationwide.
Ima Aimi Nadia, 26, said the mall would be the new chill-and-relax spot for the local folk while helping to spur the state’s economy.
“I feel happy because there’s a new landmark in Kedah that we can be proud of.”
