今、ペナンでホットな話題のひとつが、ガーニーパラゴンのオープンである。
投資金額RM２３１M（約７０億円）、広さ７０万SF(6.3万㎡)のショッピング・モールが、来週２３日（火）にオープンする。
これに伴いケラワイ通りも、ジョージタウン側からタンジュンブンガ方面への、一方通行になる予定らしく、既に周辺の道路は車線の矢印が変更されて、準備が整えられている。
この開発の核になるSt.Joseph修道士修練院は、既にRM10M（３億円）を掛けて修復が完了して、展覧会場とか各種イベント行事に使用されている。
来週ソフトオープンするのは、全店舗数の６０～７０％（１３５～１４０店舗）だそうで、スーパーマーケットの"SAM's Groceria" やMydinが入居することになっている。
この他にテナントとして入居するのは、
Vanali, La Martina, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Tumi, Godiva chocolatier and the TWG Tea
私が知っているのは、Tumi, Godiva, TWG位だが、ヨーロッパ系のテナントが多いようだ。（Gurney Plazaはアメリカ系のテナントが多い気がする）
駐車場も外観から大きく確保されているように見えるけれど、1800台収容だという。ガーニープラザより広そうだ。
このGurney Paragonを開発運営するのはHunza、既に８５％をリース契約して、年末までに９５％を完了したいとしている。
一方、Gurney Plazaは、Capitalmalls Asiaという開発会社だそうで、私は初めて名前を知った。
今後、この二つのショッピングモールがどうなっていくのか、ペナンっ子には大変興味深いところだろうが、Hunzaの担当者曰く、「お互いに競争するのではなく、補完しあっていきたい」と述べている。
大人の発言だね。
capital investmentがRM231Mって、金額が少な過ぎる気がする。
下記の完成予定図を見ただけでも、建築コストは投資金額の10倍位掛かっていそうだ。
建造物も耐震構造になってないから、安価に出来るのかもしれない。
週末は、益々道路が混雑するだろうから、これまで通りPulau Tiks周辺には近づかないようにする。週末の夜は賑わうことだろうから、一度は覗いてみたい。
詳細はこちら↓↓↓
More investments in Gurney Paragon Mall by year-end
PENANG'S newest shopping attraction Gurney Paragon Mall is expected to receive capital investments of RM231 million from retailers between now and year-end.
Its developer Hunza Properties Bhd has promised that the mall, which is set to open on Tuesday, will serve as a new destination and landmark for Penang's retail and tourism sectors.
"We are bringing in many new names in retail not found at other malls here," the company's executive chairman Datuk Khor Teng Tong told Business Times.
The mall is one component of the Gurney Paragon development, which enjoys the dual frontage of Gurney Drive and Jalan Kelawai in Pulau Tikus.
Its developer Hunza Properties Bhd has promised that the mall, which is set to open on Tuesday, will serve as a new destination and landmark for Penang's retail and tourism sectors.
"We are bringing in many new names in retail not found at other malls here," the company's executive chairman Datuk Khor Teng Tong told Business Times.
The mall is one component of the Gurney Paragon development, which enjoys the dual frontage of Gurney Drive and Jalan Kelawai in Pulau Tikus.
The twin condominium towers currently frame the 95-year-old St Joseph's Novitiate, a heritage building that once belonged to the De La Salle Brothers, a Roman Catholic religious order that pioneered education for the masses in Malaysia and elsewhere worldwide.
The heritage masterpiece, which was restored by Hunza at RM10 million, currently houses upscale eateries and a spa, among others.
Khor said for the soft opening next week, between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of the mall will be operational with 135 to 140 stores opening their doors.
They include an upscale supermarket "SAM's Groceria" by homegrown and retail gaunt Mydin Mohamed Holdings. Mydin is reportedly investing RM17 million in the store, which will serve as its first upmarket grocery store in Malaysia.
Other tenants include Southeast Asia's leading luxury goods and specialist retailer the Valiram Group, which is set to take up some 10,000 sq ft of space and open outlets like Vanali, La Martina, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Tumi, Godiva chocolatier and the TWG Tea Salon and Boutique.
Also to open their doors for the first time in Penang and the northern region by September are Swedish high-street store Hennes and Mauritz and UK retail chain operator Debenhams.
Other faclities include a 100,000- sq-ft food court, along with dedicated space for Penang's small businesses, and 1,800 parking bays.
"We have leased out 85 per cent of our retail space, to date, and hope to hit 95 per cent by year-end," Khor said.
Asked on the Gurney Paragon Mall's close proximity to Gurney Plaza, a shopping mall owned by CapitaMalls Asia Ltd, he said: "We are here to compliment and not compete with each other. Collectively, our two malls are set to offer an exciting lifestyle and retail experience for both Penang residents and visitors."
