Penang City Mall | 1st Avenue - Shopping/Food/Entertainment/Leisure

Interesting...

Written by Shirley T

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 00:00

Located in the main artery of Penang's capital - George Town, 1st Avenue was opened to public end of last year (2010). We however had just found an afternoon to take a peek. Targeting young and chic, this highly anticipated mall that serves as one stop for shopping, leisure, entertainment and food was reported to house upmarket retail shops.
Event hosted at Underground!

After our elaborate lunch at Nyonya Breeze on a holy day (Wesak Day 2011), we decided to drive into the latest city mall that sits on the heritage ground.

If you are a newbie to 1st Avenue like the 'previous' me, getting into the entrance of the mall's parking bay can be a headache since most of the streets on that prime land would just take you for a not-so-merry going round and around! The clue for the P (parking) in green or iconic color of 1st Avenue is just slightly after the parking entrance of Prangin Mall multi-story car park along Tek Soon Street.
The view of George Town from Level 6/7

1st Avenue had been talked so much, boosting the sleek concept at each level e.g. Underground, Modish, Cloud8, so I was looking forward for the images of boutiques that reside similarly at Starhill in KL. Mmm.. I couldn't picture that at all. Do not expect a large oasis as we could walk, passing all the levels/corners in barely 2 hours! Let's pen down more optimistic, perhaps I shall wait for a while or until when all the stores are fully operating to judge . Above all, the luxurious brand - Coach made its first debut on the isle of Penang!

On the contrary, majority of Penangites perhaps are happier with the present retailers that are composed to suit their pocket, taste and appetite! In reality, these stores have to survive and making some profit as well. Otherwise, 1st Avenue will suffer similar fate like another deserted mall i.e. Penang Times Square.
The weekends crowd
At present, there are about 60-70% tenants that open doors for business. Magic Kitchen that serves as food court is still under renovation. Both TGV Cinemas and Red Box Karaoke at Level 8 attracts quite a good number of people especially on weekends.
Impressive multi-level escalators...brilliant piece!
And Parkson and Carrefour (coming soon at Level 4) as the anchor tenants hopefully work to boost the crowd.
Cloud8 - I am looking forward for the rotating deck!
I like the pedestrian friendly connective bridges to Traders Hotel, KOMTAR and Prangin Mall. This is a smart design to combine and disperse the city shoppers, at the same time consolidating all under one roof like malls in Singapore.

Getting there?
182, Jalan Magazine, Georgetown,
10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4 2611121
Open Daily 10am-10pm
Check out the stores at 1st Avenue here.