PENANG’S coasts have long drawn people seeking leisure, recreation and a change of scenery.
Now, it is also the setting for a new retail experience – with The Waterfront Shoppes (TWS) at The Light City combining shopping, dining, entertainment and public spaces in one destination.
With an approximate gross floor area of 1.6 million sq ft, and 700,000 sq ft of net lettable space, it is touted as the state’s largest shopping mall in over a decade.
There is also a scenic 750m waterfront promenade that serves nearby residents, tourists, businesses and the wider community alike.
Together, it brings a new dimension to Penang’s retail and lifestyle scene. The mall welcomed its first shoppers on Thursday, with the first 1,000 receiving curated goodie bags.
There was a soft opening ceremony attended by Tourism Malaysia Northern Region director Abdul Hadi Che Man, Perennial Holdings Private Limited executive chairman and chief executive officer Pua Seck Guan, IJM Land Bhd CEO Datuk Tony Ling Thou Lung, and other senior management personnel.
Perennial Holdings’ managing director of retail management and China commercial management Jasmine Chua believes the mall’s impact would extend beyond its sheer size.
“The future of retail and leisure is increasingly about building relevance. We want TWS to be a place that truly earns a role in people’s lives.
“Somewhere they will have reason to keep coming back to at different times of the day and for different occasions.
“This reflects the evolution of Penang as a destination for business, tourism and urban living,” she said.
Dolphin sculptures inspired by Penang’s coastal environment are a welcoming presence at the mall, some being unique artworks by local artists Dianne Tahir, Fritilldea, Jefr and Sliz.
But what ultimately draws shoppers to a mall is its tenant mix, and here, fresh international concepts will keep shoppers staying longer.
This includes Xventure, which makes its Malaysian debut with 11 adventure zones and over 32 recreation, fitness and digital play challenges.
Wan to Play is also in Penang for the first time with a sensory, active-play concept, while CMC Theatre has over 1,000 seats across nine halls including South-East Asia’s first CINITY LED cinema.
The upcoming Blue Bay Food Garden, an ocean-themed food court, will have over 400 seats and 28 stalls offering diverse cuisines.
For now, shoppers can join the CRYBABY Cry Me An Ocean social media campaign, centred around an outdoor installation created in collaboration with POP MART Malaysia. This runs until Nov 11 and will see exclusive figures awarded daily.
Shoppers spending RM200 and above in the TWS Opening Rewards Campaign until Jan 3 next year can win prizes worth over RM200,000.
Enjoy up to five hours of complimentary parking until Nov 30. For details, visit www.thewaterfrontshoppes.com.my or follow the mall’s social media pages.
