118 Mall opens with 158 stores, a glass dome and a Raincloud

118 Mall opened on Sunday 1 November with 158 stores trading, and more are due in the coming months. The seven-storey mall sits at the foot of Menara 118 in Kuala Lumpur.

Doors opened to the public at 11.18am, as reported, a nod to the tower’s name. Some visitors were let in earlier, before the official ceremony at about 10.30am.

Here is what opened, what is inside and what to know before you go.

What opened on day one

First, the store count. Datuk Rizal Rickman Ramli, president and group chief executive of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), said 158 stores were operating.

However, earlier reports put the total at more than 300 stores. So the rest should open in the coming months.

Then Rizal said the group never meant to build just another shopping mall. He added that the mall is central to the Merdeka 118 precinct.

Two other leaders attended the ceremony. Datuk Izwan Hasli Ibrahim, chief executive of PNB Merdeka Ventures, was one. PNB chairman Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda was the other.

Also, the mall mixes international flagships with premium homegrown brands.

Next, earlier reports named SOGO118 and Village Grocer as anchors. Others include Skechers, Decathlon, BookXcess and Best Denki.

However, the mall has not said which of them were open on the first day.

Still, Sue Wang, head of retail at the mall, earlier expected up to 22 million visitors in the first year.

What is inside 118 Mall

First, The Atmosphere on Level 4. It is a 20,000 sq ft event space under an 88-metre glass dome.

Also, Level 3 is planned to hold the Malaysian Artisan District, which showcases local brands.

Next, a water feature called Raincloud. It has several levels and projected light displays.

A visitor from Ampang said she had not seen anything like it in other malls. She plans to return after her jogs at Stadium Merdeka.

Another visitor queued from about 9am for opening freebies. He said Nando’s was offering a free quarter chicken to the first 118 customers.

Boost Juice was also running opening promotions, he said. We have not confirmed either offer.

Village Grocer has its own opening offers, including free bags and angpao packs.

Then its later offers run on 5, 6, 12 and 19 November.

What to know before you go

First, parking. The mall’s Facebook page says the first three hours are free for one week from opening day.

Also, grey pillars in the 118 Parking are closest to the mall. The free offer covers the first three hours only, and the mall has not confirmed rates after that.

Also, the mall has not published its regular daily hours in the material we saw. Check its pages before you go.

Next, the MRT. Merdeka station on the Kajang Line sits close by, and our guide covers the routes.

Expect crowds in the first weeks. One visitor guide says parking will be hard.

Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara are nearby, and The View at 118 has no public opening date yet.

In short, 118 Mall is open, with many stores still to come. Check the hours and offers before you go.

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