KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 30): The Waterfront Shoppes (TWS) at The Light City in Penang has officially held its soft opening, according to a press statement issued on Thursday (Oct 29). It is located within The Light City, an integrated development that is a joint venture between IJM Corp Bhd (KL:IJM) and Singapore-headquartered Perennial Holdings Private Ltd.

TWS is touted as Penang’s largest shopping mall in more than a decade, offering a 700,000 sq ft of net lettable space. It will combine shopping, dining, entertainment, recreation, and public spaces anchored by a 750-metre waterfront promenade.

Perennial Holdings retail management and China commercial management managing director Jasmine Chua said TWS is going to be big, but its impact is not just its size as the future of retail and leisure is increasingly about building relevance as opposed to scale, creating a place that truly earns a role in people’s lives.

The development incorporates dolphin sculptures inspired by Penang's coastal environment across the venue to form part of future educational and environmental awareness programmes centred on marine conservation, sustainability, and Penang's natural heritage.

Key local and international tenants making their appearance include active-play concepts Xventure and Wan To Play, an expanded fashion offering by Parkson, a premium grocery format by Mercato, Blue Bay Food Garden offering 28 food stalls and 400 seats, and CMC Theatre introducing a new premium cinema destination featuring nine halls and over 1,000 seats headlined by Southeast Asia's first CINITY LED cinema.