i-City taps Savills to reposition CityWalk as AI-focused retail hub

i-City has appointed Savills Malaysia to operate and reposition CityWalk, an open-air retail destination in Shah Alam, as part of plans to develop the township into an AI and robotics urban centre. The repositioning will support the upcoming 500-unit i-Ris residential tower, targeted for completion

PETALING JAYA (Oct 14): i-City has appointed Savills Malaysia to operate and reposition CityWalk as part of its plans to develop the Shah Alam township into an artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics urban centre.

Savills will oversee mall operations, leasing, tenant mix and activation at the open-air retail destination, while exploring concepts to support the planned 500-unit i-Ris, AI Living @ i-City residential tower, according to a press release.

CityWalk is an approximately 180,000 sq ft open-air retail destination, complemented by a further 120,000 sq ft of space for events and activation. It is located beside i-Ris, which is targeted for completion in 2030. An overhead link bridge is planned to connect the residential tower to CityWalk’s retail, dining, fitness, wellness, leisure and everyday services.

Directly opposite i-Ris is Central i-City mall, jointly developed by i-City and Thailand’s Central Pattana Group. i-City said the two retail destinations would provide complementary shopping and lifestyle experiences for future residents.

“AI Living is not intended to end at the front door of the residence,” said i-City director Datuk Eu Hong Chew. “i-Ris is the residential expression of that idea, but the home is part of a wider urban experience. Through CityWalk and Central i-City mall, we have an opportunity to bring together the services, activities and experiences that will make AI Living more useful and relevant to residents in their daily lives.”

CityWalk’s existing offerings include grocery, fitness, food and beverage, and entertainment. Savills Malaysia head of retail service Murli Menon said the firm would look to refresh its dining and experiential retail mix to encourage repeat visits and longer stays. As part of the repositioning, Savills will examine opportunities for technology, wellness, learning and lifestyle concepts, including AI and robotics-related retail, demonstrations, services and experiences. Specific concepts would be introduced progressively, depending on customer demand, occupier interest and commercial viability, the release said.

Savills Malaysia group managing director Datuk Paul Khong said the initial priority was to improve CityWalk’s retail fundamentals and commercial performance. The firm would also assess where AI and robotics-related concepts could enhance demand and the experience for visitors, residents and retailers. i-City said its longer-term goal was to establish CityWalk as the township’s retail centre for AI and robotics. Repositioning CityWalk alongside i-Ris’ development would allow it to progressively build up the surrounding retail and lifestyle offerings for future residents, it added.