In place: The newly-implemented ‘Shibuya crossing’ of Malaysia where signages and road markings are already in place, and pedestrians are seen crossing the road as vehicles from all directions come to a stop for 15 to 16 seconds.IN keeping with the constant change in fashion and trends, Lot 10 is undergoing renovation and its new look will be unveiled in October.
And while that is happening, the crossroads at the busy Jalan Bukit Bintang/Jalan Sultan Ismail is now implemented with Malaysia’s very own Shibuya crossing — inspired after the famous Shibuya scramble crossing in Japan, where vehicles from all directions come to a good few minutes stop to allow pedestrians to cross the intersection to get to the malls along Bukit Bintang.
The mall’s management had submitted the Shibuya crossing proposal to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and following the approval granted recently, traffic lights have been modified, signages installed, and the cross junction is now in place and being used.
Starhill Gallery and Lot 10 general manager Steffanie Chua told StarMetro recently that this implementation would be more pedestrian-friendly to people who go about sightseeing and shopping.
“Our stop-time however, is between 15 and 16 seconds and not as long as the actual Shibuya crossing in Japan.
“With the Bukit Bintang monorail station just a stone’s throw away, Lot 10 aims to capitalise on the highest volume of passenger drop-off at this station,” said Chua.
As for the mall, Chua said renovation work was under way to transform Lot 10 from being just a fashionable hub previously to a completely different image that appeals to the young and urban chic.
“Lot 10 was first built in 1990, just after Sungei Wang, and turns 19 this year. Back then, people would still remember us as the first mall that brought in a lot of brands into Kuala Lumpur.
“Over the years, the dynamics along Bukit Bintang have changed, where we see more tourists and buses dropping-off people.
“So it’s time for us to evolve, too, as we hope to capture the niche market of the affluent,” she said.
For a start, regular shoppers shall soon notice a change in the facade on the mall’s third floor, where it is replaced with glass and work should be completed by the end of this month.
Chua said a double facade would be installed on the ground and first floor by year-end to effectively remove the sunken-in impression of the glass.
“More exciting things are in store at the rooftop that was previously a carpark,” said Chua.
“This area will be transformed into a ‘Forest in the City’ concept, with much landscaping and greenery that are refreshing to the eyes and soul. Lighting and specially-commissioned trees will be planted here.
“There will be a modern-themed restaurant, and a dance club with its design and interior inspired by the architecture of actual Russian museums and palaces.
“Actors Studio that was formerly in Bangsar and has since closed will also be moving in here,” said Chua, while declining to elaborate more details so as to keep the excitement intact.
Meanwhile, California Fitness is the first tenant to move in at the rooftop area and fitness buffs will be happy to note that it is opened till midnight.
She also named two celebrity tenants that will be opening their first flagship stores in Asia – William Rast by Justin Timberlake and Nicky Hilton.
At the basement carpark area, it will be occupied by a foodcourt styled after Hutong, a place in China famed for its rustic lifestyle and maze of alleyways.
“We hope to bring people back in time with this concept where at every turn of the corner, people experience and feast with their eyes and nose on the different culinary offerings, and sit on traditional sedan chairs.
“There will be 27 restaurants and kiosks here which will run like a food court with counter service, only that the individual operators will have their own seating unlike the canteen-style seating of a typical food court!.
“Price-wise, it is very much of a food court, but the atmospshere generated is much more easy-going, modern and chic,” Chua added.
She added that landmark tenant Isetan was also changing the look of its supermarket, in line with the overall revamp of the mall.
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