Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (second from the right) launched CityWalk (formerly known as CentralWalk) in 2018. Designed as a destination-oriented lifestyle hub, CityWalk contributes to the synergy among its leisure-focused uses in a park setting. It also offers versatile event spaces for community gatherings, festivals, or live performances, fostering a sense of community and engagement.
A goldmine in the capital city of Shah Alam awaits
By Joseph Wong
The good news for 2024 is that properties in the city centre continue to experience high demand. However, the not-so-good news is that market demand for certain sectors remains sluggish. Despite this reality, the allure of investing in properties situated in the city centre remains strong. Proximity to employment opportunities, convenience and accessibility, a constant energetic atmosphere and association with status and prestige are compelling selling points for achieving higher rental yields for those interested in buying and renting.
The nugget, however, might be unearthed in the emerging city centres of state capitals. For example, Selangor’s capital Shah Alam might still be less impacted. With well-connected road infrastructure, the completion of the West Coast Expressway (WCE), the soon-to-be-operational LRT3 line and developers such as i-City actively revitalising the social construct of Shah Alam, carefully selected properties in the state capital city centre have the potential to be a limitless goldmine for financial prosperity.
Right infrastructure to sustain employment opportunities
Malaysia No 1 Technology City - i-City, in the capital city of Selangor - is the first privately-funded MSC Cybercentre with a Tier-3 certified data centre on-site. Added with the host of advantages that the Smart Selangor plan will bring to the table come 2025, it not only expands the coverage of perks for technology-related companies to operate in Shah Alam but also adds to the expansion of the job market in this region. For property investors, this means the potential supply of high-quality tenants leads. Moreover, its recent partnership with CelcomDigi aims to propel Shah Alam’s digital development into the realm of a true smart city.
i-City Finance Avenue stands as a prominent landmark within i-City, featuring an iconic charging bull reminiscent of the one in New York. Boasting a smart IT eco-system and an on-site Tier-3 data centre, it has successfully attracted multinational companies to establish their offices here. The partnership with CelcomDigi aims to propel Shah Alam's digital development into the realm of a smart city. Photo shows CelcomDigi chief executive officer Datuk Idham Nawawi (left) and I-Berhad chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong (right).
A host of public amenity upgrade works in Shah Alam is set to be ready between this year and next. To name two, there are the WCE, connecting Shah Alam and KESAS Expressway and the LRT Line 3, which will start operating on March 1, 2025, as announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke (front, centre).
Accessibility and proximity
A host of public amenity upgrade works in Shah Alam is set to be ready between this year and next. To name two, there are WCE, connecting Shah Alam and KESAS Expressway and the Shah Alam LRT3 line.
i-City is set to launch the second phase of its freehold luxury service apartments - BeCentral, right in the centre of i-City Finance Avenue soon. It is 50 steps from the 5-Star DoubleTree by Hilton i-City, Central i-City Mall, Mercu Maybank, CNN-acclaimed City of Digital Lights, premium retail and signature offices. Also, the proximity between the LRT3 i-City Station and i-City is approximately 50 steps away.
BeCentral, 50-steps to a goldmine
Learning from the property overhang situation, it may be wise to select properties based on their proximity to important landmarks such as reputable office towers, tourist attractions, road infrastructure and continued investments and development plans, among others, to mitigate associated risks. Drawing an example from i-City where energy and buzz returned within two years post-pandemic with the establishment of Mercu Maybank Grade-A GBI-certified smart office tower, 5-Star DoubleTree by Hilton i-City and a host of other attractions and lightscapes upgrades in its CNN-acclaimed City of Digital Lights, CityWalk and CityPark, it can be concluded that investing in emerging capital cities provides resiliency and the opportunity for investors to grow their portfolio together with the city.
The 50,000 sq ft Digital Sports Arena at CityWalk was inaugurated by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh (centre) on January 13, 2024 and witnessed by i-City Selangor chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Ahmad Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (right). The sports arena seamlessly integrates technology and indoor sports, offering 20 different activities. It provides sports enthusiasts and the younger generation with the opportunity to explore and discover their passion. Visitors can engage in challenges against themselves or virtual opponents in this dynamic arena.
50-Steps from 5-Star hospitality
While it adds value to own a property next to reputable global brand names, it is another class above when the property’s proximity to the brand is a mere 50 steps away. That was the inspiration behind the location of BeCentral at i-City, which is 50 steps from the 5-Star DoubleTree by Hilton i-City. Located within such a close visibility range, the closeness provides premium marketing access to an unlimited corporate clientele of property owners, especially with the year-round activities hosted by the hotel.
50-Steps from Grade-A smart offices
With the soon-to-be operational LRT3 line and WCE expressway, the appeal of living in the Western Corridor of Klang Valley, particularly Shah Alam becomes greater. For that reason, we still see the prospect in BeCentral with its 50-step proximity to Mercu Maybank Grade-A, GBI-certified smart office tower, which is within i-City Finance Avenue and for i-City’s strategic location in the capital city of Shah Alam.
Another addition to CityWalk is Immersive Winterland, which was launched by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (middle) on Nov 29, 2023. This first of its kind immersive 7D experience using immersive technologies such as sensors, projection mapping and AI, immersed visitors in physical and virtual adventure, motion rides, interactive touch-screen during the journey.
50-Steps to leisure-makers haven
With short-term stays being all the rage right now, when looking for properties to rent, tenants usually seek out strategic properties located a short distance from places to live, eat and play.
Once again, BeCentral provides the advantage of a drop-off lobby area, facial recognition, smart security features and a proximity of a mere 50 steps from the first Thai mall in Malaysia, Central i-City Mall, premium retails and signature offices and even CityWalk, which is a destination-oriented hub with a buzz of activities, new attractions such as the Immersive Winterland and Digital Sports Arena, popular eateries like Zu Chuan HotPot, 7 Warna Kopitiam, 6-year Michelin Lao Shan Dong beef noodle, Murni Discovery and many more.
50-Steps from energy and buzz
The allure of over one million enchanting LED lights at the CNN-acclaimed City of Digital Lights and constant upgrading of rides has increased its footfall exponentially since then. This has also been coupled with a series of collaborations with stakeholders from both government and private sectors at CityWalk and word has it that more events and activities will be held here, especially those in response to the MADANI government’s call for a resilient and united society.
CityWalk will play host to Festival Perpaduan Etnik organised by the Ministry of National Unity on Feb 17 and 18, 2024. The celebration in conjunction with Chinese New Year, aimed at fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
CityPark, situated on the east side of i-City, is poised to become the favoured hangout destination for emerging affluent young adults seeking excitement and thrills within the city. The latest addition is a 600m race karting track designed to immerse drivers in their F1 alter-ego, featuring fully electric race karts. Additionally, within the WaterWorld attraction, a 40m WaterTower with a glass sky-bridge on top—equipped with bungee jumping, an observation deck and a water slide—is expected to be completed in Q3 2024.
50-Steps from future emerging affluent hotspot
Another 50-Steps from BeCentral is CityPark, currently the home of its ever popular -8°C SnoWalk, WaterWorld and recent addition the 600m RaceKarting track. To create a future emerging affluent hotspot, the existing hotel will be revamped and a new hotel outfit will seamlessly integrate to the outdoor spaces with lively entertainment and outdoor recreation. A 40m high Water Tower, with glass sky walkways and fitted with an observation deck, bungee jumping and water slide facilities will be available in Q3 2024.
As such, CityPark is destined to be the hang-out spot for young and emerging affluent professionals seeking thrill and excitement within a city centre.
With all these conveniences within 50 steps, i-City’s appeal as a goldmine makes it all the more desirable, whether it is for an owner’s own stay, a tenant’s home, a visitor’s accommodation, an investor’s dream, an entrepreneur’s start-up, a company’s base or a multi-national corporation’s office.
Capturing the essence of urban brilliance, i-City, Malaysia No 1 Technology City, was envisioned as an integrated tech-centric ultrapolis. It has transformed Shah Alam into a diverse and multi-ethnic community with a global presence which solidifies its status as a premium property location. Adding to the Skyline of i-City by mid-2025 is a goldmine investment.
The CNN-acclaimed City of Digital Lights, adorned with over one million LED lights, enchants visitors with its spectacular lightscape, making it a tourism hotspot for both local and international tourists. Visitors leave with dazzling memories of the mesmerising lightscape, exhilarating theme park rides and thoughtfully curated photo hotspots. Additionally, it is a popular venue for festive celebrations that culminate in a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the skyline of Shah Alam.
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