PETALING JAYA (Jan 21): Mitsui Fudosan Co Ltd, a Tokyo-based real estate company, announced that its flagship project in Southeast Asia — LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) — commenced its operations on Jan 20. 

The project is under Mitsui Fudosan’s Malaysian subsidiary MFBBCC Retail Mall Sdn Bhd, which is a project company established with UDA Holdings Bhd, Eco World Development Group Bhd and Employees Provident Fund Board. 

According to a statement, the 82,600 sq m Lalaport BBCC has approximately 400 stores that will be opening in sequence in January, and features Japanese brands making their first appearance in Malaysia. It is also Mitsui Fudosan’s second LaLaport mall overseas, after Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Shanghai Jinqiao. There are a total of 16 LaLaport shopping centres in Japan. 

LaLaport BBCC is a part of Mitsui Fudosan’s larger project with BBCC Development Sdn Bhd, the BBCC project, which is a large-scale urban development comprising a shopping mall, residences, serviced apartments, office buildings and hotels. The total site area is approximately 78,500 sq m and is set to become a landmark that proposes a new Japanese-based lifestyle.

The mall will feature well-known brands from Japan such as NITORI, Nojima and JONETZ by DON DON DONKI. Star Child, a nursery school that incorporates Japanese-style childcare and education, will also open its first facility in Malaysia at LaLaport BBCC. 

Food options include Shin’Labo, Marta’s Kitchen, Buena Brasa Gastropub, DONQ/Mini One, MATCHA EIGHT, YAKINIKU SIZZLE by YAKINIQUEST, as well as other local restaurants. 

The mall also offers a large F&B floor that houses supermarkets and Depachika Marche, where takeaway foods are available. It also features a casual food court called Cafeteria, an al-fresco dining experience at Gourmet Street and a large food court called Garden Dining on level four that has a 1,400-seating capacity. 

LaLaport BBCC also offers event spaces such as its Central Rooftop Garden (a 1,700 sq m space surrounded by greenery), WOW PLAZA (at the centre of Gourmet Street) and Grand Steps (next to the main entrance that features various forms of illumination in tandem with seasonal events). 

There is also the LaLaport MY mobile app that will be made available to deliver the latest information on the mall, in addition to a live stream feature on social networking services. 

“In addition, Mitsui Fudosan enhances transportation connectivity to further support BBCC’s urban development. Prioritising the connectivity and road accessibility through three tunnels that lead to the car park directly as well as a network of pedestrian paths, it allows ingress and egress to and from various directions. Direct access to Hang Tuah Station on the LRT and KL Monorail lines makes it even easier to get into LaLaport BBCC,” the statement said.