PETALING JAYA, March 2025 – A new landmark is set to reshape Malaysia’s retail and entertainment landscape as Hextar World at Empire City gears up for its highly anticipated opening in the fourth quarter of 2025. This ambitious development, backed by a powerhouse consortium of industry players, aims to offer a transformative shopping and leisure experience unlike anything currently available in the region.
A Long-Awaited Vision Coming to Life
Hextar World marks the evolution of Empire City’s original vision, which has undergone significant repositioning in recent years. The project, now under the leadership of Hextar Healthcare Bhd’s Datuk Eddie Ong Choo Meng, EXSIM Holdings Sdn Bhd, JT Momentum Sdn Bhd’s Datuk Jackson Tan Kak Seng, and Alliance Premier Sdn Bhd, is set to inject new life into the previously stalled mega-development.
Spanning 1.8 million square feet of net lettable space across six levels and six zones, Hextar World is designed to be more than just a shopping mall—it is envisioned as a lifestyle hub that blends retail, entertainment, and community-driven experiences.
A Unique Shopping & Entertainment Experience
With a strategic focus on experiential retail, Hextar World will introduce several innovative features, including:
- European- and American-Inspired High Streets: Open-air and covered retail spaces designed to mimic the vibrant shopping districts of global cities.
- Tram System for Easy Navigation: A dedicated tram system will ferry visitors across various zones within the development.
- Themed Dining and Retail Streets: Concepts such as Senkyaku Banrai, a Japanese food street, and NomNom Food Hall, an AI-powered dining hub, will add a fresh twist to Malaysia’s culinary scene.
Hextar World will also house a 28,000-square-foot supermarket, ensuring visitors have convenient access to daily essentials. The development will feature over 600 retail, dining, and entertainment lots, making it one of the most diverse shopping and lifestyle destinations in Malaysia.
Entertainment Powerhouse: Malaysia’s Largest Indoor Attractions
What sets Hextar World apart from traditional shopping malls is its commitment to entertainment and recreational experiences. Among its standout attractions:
- Malaysia National Ice Skating Stadium (MYNISS): An Olympic-sized rink for both recreational and competitive skating.
- Largest Indoor Water Park in Malaysia: A climate-controlled aquatic wonderland catering to visitors of all ages.
- Slope Master Ski Training Facility: Malaysia’s biggest indoor skiing center, offering training for enthusiasts and professionals.
- Bowling Center & Sports Bar Street: A dynamic leisure zone designed to elevate the social experience for visitors.
- Convention Centre: A state-of-the-art venue for exhibitions, trade shows, and large-scale events.
- 8-Hall Cinema: A modern multiplex designed to offer an immersive movie-going experience.
- 450,000+ square feet of entertainment space, making it a one-stop hub for leisure and fun.
Additionally, the development will introduce immersive edutainment zones, blending education with hands-on, interactive fun.
Major Retail and F&B Tenants on Board
Hextar World is already attracting top-tier tenants, with industry insiders suggesting that iconic department store Metrojaya is in discussions to secure a prime retail space. Meanwhile, China’s fastest-growing coffee chain, Luckin Coffee, has confirmed its Malaysian debut at the development.
With a focus on international and local brands, Hextar World’s tenant mix is expected to be a game-changer in Malaysia’s retail scene.
Strategic Location and Connectivity
Situated within Empire City, Damansara, Hextar World enjoys seamless connectivity to major highways such as the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) and Penchala Link via Sprint Highway. The development sits within a 10-kilometer radius of 18 townships, making it highly accessible to a vast catchment of potential visitors.
More than 20,000 households are located within the immediate vicinity, ensuring a steady stream of foot traffic. To support the expected influx of shoppers and tourists, Hextar World will provide 9,100 parking bays, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
The Exploratorium: A Retail Paradigm Shift
Central to Hextar World’s vision is ‘The Exploratorium’ concept—an experiential retail strategy built on four key pillars:
- Discovery & Innovation: A curated space for emerging brands and cutting-edge concepts.
- Connection & Community: A hub for social engagement, co-working spaces, and communal activities.
- Entertainment & Adventure: A holistic mix of thrilling attractions and immersive experiences.
- Wellness & Active Living: Fitness-focused zones promoting a healthier lifestyle.
This revolutionary approach aims to shift consumer behavior, moving beyond transactional shopping to immersive engagement.
A Mixed-Use Development with Business & Hospitality Offerings
Beyond retail and entertainment, Hextar World is designed to integrate business and hospitality components, making it a holistic urban center. The development will feature:
- Three hotels, catering to business travelers, tourists, and event-goers.
- Four attached office towers, providing prime corporate spaces within the thriving commercial hub.
- Six attached commercial suite towers, offering flexible office solutions for businesses of all sizes.
- Two adjoining hospitality towers, expanding accommodation options within the development.
This integration of hospitality, business, and retail ensures that Hextar World is not just a shopping mall but a vibrant city within a city.
A Catalyst for Economic Growth
The launch of Hextar World is expected to drive significant economic benefits:
- Job Creation: Thousands of employment opportunities across retail, hospitality, and services.
- Boost to Local Businesses: Increased foot traffic to surrounding commercial areas.
- Property Value Appreciation: A positive ripple effect on residential and commercial real estate in the vicinity.
Final Thoughts: A Bold Step Forward
With its innovative retail strategies, world-class entertainment offerings, and strategic partnerships, Hextar World is positioning itself as the next iconic destination in Malaysia. As the fourth quarter of 2025 approaches, anticipation is building for what could be one of the most significant retail and entertainment debuts in the country’s history.
Sources:
- The Edge Malaysia (theedgemalaysia.com)
- New Straits Times (nst.com.my)
- Berita Harian (bharian.com.my)
