Lot 10 takes on green concept with the young in mind

What say you on the issue below?

WHAT was formerly a concrete carpark area has been transformed into one of the most refreshing and soothing venues to the eyes and soul.

In a 360 degree turnaround, the rooftop of Lot 10 is now a sight to behold, with the well-manicured lawn and trees and the abundance of greenery that aptly lives up to its tagline “Forest in the City”.

The landscaping, unveiled recently during a press conference at the Teez Brasserie on Level 8 of the rooftop, is part of the Lot 10 new positioning project which aims to appeal to a new niche market.

Thumbs up: Yeoh (fourth from right) together with guests on stage at the new Lot 10 that is set to bring more energy into the Bukit Bintang area.

StarMetro had earlier carried a story entitled “Chic Mall for The Young” describing the refurbishment and renovation work and concept the popular mall was undergoing.

At the press conference, YTL Corporation managing director Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh spoke to the guests on the new age of relevance that young urbanites can expect once the mall is refurbished and launched in October.

“From what was a useless, underused concrete rooftop, we have uplifted it into a proper jungle,” said Yeoh.

“Our target population, whom I refer to as the Greenagers of the new generation, are into fitness, health, and good life,” he added.

The rooftop view is breathtaking as one could look down at the city skyline and traffic below, amid the foliage, shrubs, plants and overhanging ferns.

The Rooftop Fitness Club is already in operation since March, where fitness buffs could work out at the all-glass facade studio. It is open till midnight every night.

The ever-popular Actors Studio theatre will open here too, near the Fitness Club.

Forest in the city: The manicured trees and well-landscaped rooftop has transformed from what was previously a car park to a Forest in The City now.

Covering 8,000 sq ft and conceptualised with a Zen-like minimalist interior, the 250-seat theatre has the country’s first and only Hanamichi T-shape stage inspired by the Kabuki tradition.

The Actors Studio founders Datuk Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham who were present looked pleased to have found their new home here after the closure of their premises in Bangsar.

Also housed at the rooftop is the Teeq Brasserie, a modern and chic restaurant offering a fine selection of lighter fare in Japanese, Western, Asian and Thai styles.

The avant-garde decor has undulating waves of wooden ribs encircling the ceiling with an all-glass facade that affords a beautiful view of the city.

The Rootz Dance Club, Yeoh said, would soon be the new pulse of the city. Designed in Baroque-style intricacy drawing inspiration from the architecture of Russian museums and palaces. Yeoh said it promised to be a happening dance venue.

“This is a nightclub that will be clean and drug-free. It is a place where I can feel secure knowing where my children are,” said Yeoh.

Plans are afoot to introduce acts to showcase the best in local talents as well as to bring in deejays like DJ Sam Young who has been a staple of the London club and social scene for over 10 years. “This mall will be a real hive for the young. We have exclusive brands as our tenants like Chic by Nicky Hilton and William Rast by Justin Timberlake, while National Geographic would be opening its store here. too.

New joint: The modern and trendy looking Teeq Brasserie that serves a fine selection of lighter fare in Japanese, Western, Asian and Thai styles.

“The National Geographic stores in London and Singapore are very successful so we’ve managed to get them to also open one here in honour of the Malaysian National Geographic alumni,” said Yeoh.

Also exclusive at Lot 10 will be Debenhams of Britain, which will be bringing a new wave of Cool Britannica to Malaysia with its award-winning store and brand concept across three entire floors - the largest in the country.

Yeoh said a new WiMAX Centre in collaboration between YTL e-Solutions and Samsung Electronics was set to position the mall as the first in the country to offer converged mobile Internet services and offering guests the power of connectivity from the rooftop right to the basement.

“Through our mobile interactive stores, we want to also provide mobile Internet at affordable prices for every Malaysian in near future,” he added.

Also to open is the Shabu One Steamboat Buffet Restaurant (counterpart of Jogoya at Starhill Gallery) that will offer the first of its kind marathon steamboat buffet with over 200 kinds of seafood and ingredients.

Long-time tenant Isetan, whose first and original home is here at the mall, is undergoing renovation and will soon introduce a new concept of its food market.

Also to look forward to is the world’s first heritage gourmet village called Lot 10 Hutong, whose renovation is by multi award-winning architect and designer Yuhkichi Kawai from Japan.

Located at the basement level, culinary traditions will be revived and Malaysia’s best-loved food stalls will be here to whip up local favourites.

It will feature 27 restaurants and kiosks against the backdrop charm of olden-day pushcarts and sedan chairs that are reminiscent of rustic lifestyles with modern alleyways.

Celebrity chef and food critic Chua Lam, a respected foodie in Hong Kong and China, will make his celebrity appearance here on Nov 10 as he is said to be impressed with the Hutong concept.

Guests that evening were entertained with a fashion show by Zang Toi, violin performance by Dennis Lau, a performance by Actors Studio, and food sampling from Teeq Brasserie.

To celebrate its launch in October, Lot 10 will be having 10 days of celebration starting Oct 10.