The Waterfront Shoppes soft-opens in Penang

Summary & Key Findings

The Waterfront Shoppes soft-opened on 29 October 2026 at The Light City in Gelugor. The opening adds a waterfront destination for everyday shopping, dining and family outings.

• Part of The Light City. The mall is the retail component of the wider integrated development by IJM and Perennial Holdings. The soft opening was the milestone for the mall itself. Individual outlets may keep their own opening hours.
• 700,000 sq ft of lettable retail space. The Edge reported this as net lettable area, the portion available to lease. The same report put the seafront promenade at 750 metres, giving visitors an outdoor space alongside the indoor mall.
• Everyday services and leisure. Mercato and Watsons cover grocery and pharmacy needs. The food hall, cinema and children’s activity venues give households reasons to use the mall beyond shopping.

Selected confirmed tenants

• Groceries and essentialsMercato, CU and Watsons.
• Fashion and sportsParkson, Decathlon and Skechers.
• DiningBlue Bay Food Garden, Oriental Kopi, ParaThai and ZUS Signature Coffee.
• LeisureCMC Theatre, Xventure, Wan To Play & Sparkle and Loud Speaker.

Tenant names checked against the official mall directory on 6 November 2026.

What buyers should consider

• Everyday convenience. A nearby supermarket, pharmacy and dining options may make regular errands easier. Check the route from the actual lobby, including crossings and covered sections.
• Peak-hour access. Visit during the times you usually travel, including weekends or an event day. Check parking and drop-off arrangements at both the mall and the residence.
• Compare the home as well as the location. Look at usable space, privacy, maintenance costs and the expected handover date. If you are considering renting it out, check actual comparable rents and recurring costs.