Adventure awaits: From climbing walls to zip lines, Escape Putrajaya invites families to play, explore and connect with nature.
FOR many Putrajaya residents, the Alamanda Shopping Centre has long been part of the city’s daily rhythm, a place for quick errands, family meals or a brief stop between commitments.
Following its revamp earlier this year, the mall is beginning to play a different role altogether: less of a stopover and more of a destination.
The relaunch mirrors a broader shift in what shopping malls are expected to be today: no longer just retail centres, but spaces shaped by how people spend their time and the experiences they share.
That shift is evident not only in new tenants or refreshed interiors, but in how visitors now move through and use the space.
On weekends, families gather at Esplanade where al-fresco dining with large overhead fans keeps visitors comfortable, even on warmer afternoons.
Children dart between attractions at Escape Putrajaya, a 151,548 sq ft outdoor adventure park developed with Sim Leisure Group Ltd.
The park features zip-lines, climbing walls, obstacle courses, and other activities, bringing adventure and physical activity to families.
It brings a sense of play rarely associated with shopping centres, positioning leisure, rather than retail, as the main draw. What was once a transitional space now feels deliberately unhurried.
Strike up some fun: U-Bowl X’s expanded 26-lane bowling centre is perfect for family and friends.
Leisure takes centre stage
Entertainment offerings have also been expanded, with a 10-hall TGV Cinemas, a newly upgraded U-Bowl X bowling centre with 26 lanes and karaoke at Manekineko.
Together, they anchor Alamanda’s shift towards what the industry increasingly calls ‘retailtainment’, where shopping becomes just one part of a broader experience.
That shift is reflected in a refreshed tenant mix that blends international brands with familiar local favourites.
Alamanda now houses more than 70 additional retail partners, up from 139 before redevelopment, including anchor tenants AEON and Parkson, and lifestyle and grocer options such as MR DIY Plus, Cold Storage and KKV. International brands include Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Puma, Skechers and Bath & Body Works, alongside dining options like Oriental Kopi, Cili Kampung, Chagee and Chakri Village.
The newly refurbished Rasa Food Arena adds to the mall’s growing range of dining choices.
Something for everyone: The mall’s refreshed tenant mix brings together international and local favourites for style, shopping and dining.
Designed for everyday life
Design plays a quieter but equally important role. Sleek marble flooring, glass balustrades and reworked facades lend the mall a more contemporary feel, while wider walkways and improved flow make it easier to navigate with strollers or wheelchairs.
Facilities such as dedicated parent rooms, travelators and disability-friendly amenities help ensure the mall is accessible and comfortable for visitors of all ages.
Sustainability considerations have also been built into the upgrade. Features such as rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation and decks constructed from sustainable materials sit alongside landscaped areas overlooking the lake, creating informal gathering spots that seamlessly connect indoor retail spaces with the outdoors.
Enhancing a civic city
In Putrajaya, where daily foot traffic includes civil servants, families and visitors running errands, Alamanda has also become a practical access point for public services.
Earlier this year, it became the first shopping mall in the country to host a Sentuhan Madani kiosk, allowing visitors to access more than 100 government services, including JPJ and utility-related transactions, outside standard office hours.
The presence of such services within a lifestyle setting reflects the mall’s evolving role within the city, where convenience and daily needs increasingly intersect with leisure and social spaces.
Proof in the numbers
From a commercial standpoint, the redevelopment has delivered strong results. To date, Alamanda has achieved a 95% occupancy rate, suggesting that the refreshed concept has resonated with both retailers and visitors.
The project also expanded the mall’s usable space by 27%, adding nearly 200,000 sq ft. The additional space made it possible to introduce larger anchor attractions, expand entertainment offerings and accommodate a wider mix of tenants, without compromising comfort or flow.
A place people want to return to
Suria KLCC Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Francis Tan, who oversees Alamanda, said the goal was never simply to modernise the mall.
“Alamanda has always been a community landmark,” he said. “This transformation was about creating a place where people want to spend time, where shopping, leisure and everyday life come together naturally.”
Two decades after it first opened its doors, Alamanda’s latest chapter suggests that relevance today is less about how many shops a mall can fit, and more about how comfortably it fits into people’s lives.
