Mall to open Japanese-themed precinct

Mall to open Japanese-themed precinct in July

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur (KL) will be launching its latest themed precinct, Tokyo Street, inspired by the modern yet traditional Asakusa district in July this year.

As with the popular district located in Japan’s capital city Tokyo, one of the key focal attractions at this area will be a giant red lantern that will greet visitors entering the 6th Floor precinct.

“Our lantern will be a bit smaller compared to the one in the real Asakusa but it is fabricated by the same company that created the original,” shopping centre head of design and fit-out Tan Peng Han said, adding that it took three months for the lantern to be completed.

Raising the red lantern: (From left) Yap along with leasing director Lovell Ho and design and fit-out head Tan Peng Han unveiling the logo for Tokyo Street, the new themed precinct to be opened in July.

Pavilion KL retail chief executive officer Joyce Yap said they wanted to offer customers an authentic Japanese experience and even brought in real Japanese brands to this end.

“Of the 29 confirmed brands we have opening in Tokyo Street, 12 are authentically Japanese while the rest feature Japanese concepts.

“Currently, 95% of the area is occupied with over 60% of the brands debuting for the first time in Malaysia,” Yap said at the press conference to announce the precinct.

The confirmed brands are mainly food and beverage types followed by retail and services such as a hair salon and a travel agent.

“We decided to do Tokyo Street after extensive research as there is a rising interest among consumers in Japanese-themed trends,” Yap said.

The total gross floor area of the precinct will be 3,716sq m whereas the total net lettable area is 2,517.59sq m with 41 lots including kiosks.

Yap also said that the target market was 70% local and 50% tourists.

“We will primarily target the urban crowd, modern individuals who relish the energy of Tokyo and the dynamism of cosmopolitan living with a love of fashion, gadgets, dining and entertainment,” she said.

The secondary market will be the Japanese expatriate community. “We hope they will come to regard Tokyo Street as a home outside of Japan,” she added.

Special concierge staff who will be able to speak Japanese will also be on hand to assist customers at the precinct that will emulate the Japanese way of living in many ways.

Japanese culture will also come alive at the precinct through various celebrations that will be organised from time to time such as Tanabata, Tango No Sekku (Boys’ Day) and Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival).

Yap said lots of effort and investment had gone into creating Tokyo Street.

“Creating a precinct or a concept like this is not just about acquiring hardware. It takes lots of planning, marketing, pricing and research. If this precinct is successful, it is possible we will look into creating others to emulate other cultures,” she said.

Yap said that they would continue working closely with the Tourism Ministry to get Tokyo Street recognised as a prime tourism destination in the Bukit Bintang area and within Pavilion KL.

~News courtesy of The Star~