Farewell to PJ’s iconic A&W outlet

A&W was the first fast food restaurant in Taman Jaya where families from Section 10 could be seen enjoying root beer and hotdog on Sundays. — filepic

THE fate of the iconic A&W restaurant along Lorong Sultan, Petaling Jaya has been decided, after years of flipping back and forth over its operations.

A source from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) said the 0.4ha land had been approved for development during the recent one-stop-centre (OSC) committee meeting.

This would mean the demolition of the famous fast food site will take place anytime to make way for the upcoming development.

It was previously reported that its landowner KUB Malaysia Bhd planned to build two office towers and had not decided if the development would be fully commercial, mixed development or serviced apartments.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman R. Rajiv confirmed that KUB received the green light from MBPJ to redevelop the site and its development plans had also been approved.

“I am deeply saddened that this iconic building is going to be torn down and I really wish that they didn’t have to do it.

“However, we also have to respect that this is a private land and the owner is allowed to develop the land in accordance with the guidelines and law,” he said.

Rajiv said the development consists of a one-block, 20-storey office tower inclusive of a four-storey carpark.

The initial development plan submitted was for a 36-storey building, however, MBPJ brought it down to 20 storeys, inclusive of the carpark space.

When contacted, KUB said there were no comments for now and that an announcement will be made soon.

News of the closing of the A&W building has been circulating since mid-2014, where customers flocked over to the eatery immediately after news broke that it would be shutting down.

Fans of the outlet, especially those who grew up visiting the iconic building, even took to social media to express their sadness over the impending closure.

However, not long after, plans to tear it down was then called off.

Then in 2016, plans to redevelop the land resurfaced again and development plans had been ongoing ever since and is now finally confirmed.