Evolve Concept Mall, Petaling Jaya: Full or empty?

Опубликовано: 02 Февраль 2025
на канале: EC

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Evolve Concept Mall Pacific Place at Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya. Expansive mall featuring 140+ shops previously, including international brands, plus a modern food court. Evolve Concept Mall was launched in 2015.
In 2016, the valuation was RM390 million for 460,000 square net lettable area.

This is my first time to visit Evolve Concept mall to give another view on a mall that has been said to be having low foot traffic on Trip Advisor but that was in 2018. I am going to show whether the situation has turned around in Nov 2024. It previously housed H&M, Cotton On and FOS. I could not find these 3 outlets within my short visit about lunch time. Jaya Grocer is available as an anchor tenant on the Lower Ground floor and is still operating. Another comment in 2017 was that there were more customers at the mamak restaurant opposite the mall than all the food and beverage outlets combined. I can say this is still true in 2024. The Ara Damansara LRT does not seem to bring in the foot traffic. Despite having a serviced residence, Pacific Place which has 15 floors and a total 1,200 of residential units within walking distance, there is a lack of foot traffic. It is also having Perla Ara Sentral within 300 meters walking which is a 24-storey residential tower with 650 residential units which was more recently completed in 2022.

The stores currently opened are Guardian, Food and beverage outlets like Ara D café and Little Fat Duck. There is a futsal court and the mall is hosting events for sports like ping pong to drive traffic in.
Comments online mentions confusing car park and not knowing the location of the mall.
The nearest competitor, Citta Mall which is within 1 kilometer seems to be having more foot traffic.

So, let’s cover the basics that supports tenants and foot traffic. In short, what do people want?
Ample and cheap parking – this is available
Parking is cheap on a relative basis which offers RM4.40 for the whole day parking if entry is before 9am. I believe this is a good move if LRT users park here and probably dine and shop after returning from work. Perhaps Ara Damansara LRT users can park here if the parking is full at the LRT station. I do see some cars parked along the LRT station with the wipers up.

Public transport – LRT/MRT access – this is available
Mixed development with office and residential housing
Anchor tenant – only Jaya Grocer
Unique Dining Experience – there is a Peninsula Chinese restaurant which is reputed to be worth going.
The food court was completely closed which surprised me since basic food should come to support the residents around. Perhaps it is a chicken and egg situation.