KUALA LUMPUR: Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Norashikin officiated the launch of the Elmina Lakeside Mall (ELM) and the Elmina Outdoor Sculpture Museum (EOSM) today.
Also present were Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Sime Darby Property Bhd (SD Property) group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Azmir Merican.
Following the ceremony, Sultan Sharafuddin and Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin toured the exhibition.
According to Azmir, the mall has reached 99 per cent occupancy rate, drawing substantial foot traffic with an average of 640,000 visitors per month.
He said ELM attracted 180,000 visitors during the opening week.
"We appreciate the overwhelming response from tenants and visitors, reaffirming the mall's position as the preferred retail and leisure destination for the community.
"This strategic addition to the City of Elmina enables us to integrate retail with nature, creating a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that reflects our vision of building spaces that serve real needs, foster connections and support a modern lifestyle with a focus on wellness," Azmir said.
On the sculpture museum, Azmir said it provides a dedicated space to showcase contemporary Malaysian artists and will soon expand to include regional and international talents.
"The EOSM celebrates the significance of art and creative expression while providing a platform to promote Malaysia's finest contemporary artists to regional and international prominence.
"We believe that this initiative will elevate the City of Elmina beyond a residential and commercial centre into a destination for arts and culture," he added.
City of Elmina spans across 2,630 hectares (ha) and integrates residential, commercial and industrial developments with over 445ha of green spaces, a 121-ha Central Park, and modern amenities designed for connectivity and functionality.
Home to 67,000 residents, it is expected to accommodate a population of 150,000 upon completion.