Source from: March 07, 2014 - www.edgeprop.my
MELAKA: The Freeport A’Famosa Outlet Village in Alor Gajah has commenced construction after Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka, broke ground in a ceremony last month.
The development, a partnership between A’Famosa Group’s wholly-owned subsidiary Langkah Realiti Sdn Bhd and Freeport Retail, a European developer, will have an estimated gross development value of RM190 million and a gross land area (GLA) of 310,000 sq ft (28,800 sq m).
Chris Milliken, the commercial director of Freeport Retail, said he is looking forward to bringing the Freeport outlet shopping experience to central Malaysia.
“We will offer premier designer fashion brands, casual wear, accessories and sports brands at low prices … [with the development having] the added footfall benefit and synergy of two popular leisure and tourist destinations on its doorstep,” he said.
The Freeport A’Famosa Outlet Village will be next to A’Famosa Resort, a 520ha golf and leisure resort. Phase 1 will cover a GLA of 175,000 sq ft and feature more than 80 retail units, 1,200 parking bays as well as an exhibition and event hall. It is slated to open in April, 2015.
Julian Lau, director of Langkah Realiti, said that the joint venture with Freeport Retail is a major step forward for the retail industry in the region with long-term positive contributions to the state and local economy.
The project, which is expected to generate jobs for over 600 people, will be developed over three phases with Phase 2 spanning 62,000 sq ft of GLA and Phase 3, 73,000 sq ft. Freeport A’Famosa Outlet Village, with its strategic location and merchandise from international brands with savings of between 30% and 70%, is expected to be a major shopping destination.
The outlet will be designed as a single-level, village-style development with a Dutch colonial theme to reflect Melaka’s image as a historical town. The project will emphasise customer care with a VIP lounge, valet parking, gift wrapping and other personal shopping services.
The development will have a spillover from A’Famosa Resort’s two million visitors annually, a catchment of 9.3 million people from the Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, as well as from the 14 million visitors who visit Melaka annually.
The site is accessible via the North-South Expressway and the Alor Gajah-Simpang Ampat interchange and is a 55 minute-drive from Kuala Lumpur.
A’Famosa Resort is a one-stop centre for business and pleasure. It offers an international championship golf course, a water theme park, animal safari, cowboy town, and hotels and villas.
This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 07, 2014.
Source from: March 07, 2014 - www.edgeprop.my