Mid-Valley Southkey Megamall in Iskandar to be completed in 2016

The commencement of construction works ceremony for the megamall was launched by Southkey Megamall Sdn Bhd a 70:30 joint-venture between IGB Corp Bhd and Selia Pantai Sdn Bhd.

The project, which is also Johors single biggest integrated retail and commercial development, is sprawled over 14.57 hectares of land within the Southkey new township.

To be developed over 12 years, the focal point of the development will be a megamall offering a net lettable area of 2.5 million sq.ft. which will be undertaken in two phases.

"It took us 15 years to get Mid-Valley City in Kuala Lumpur to what it is today.

"Hopefully, it will take us only half that time to materialise this in Johor," said IGB Group Managing Director Datuk Seri Robert Tan in a statement today.

He was confident the megamall's central and prime location would draw Singaporeans to shop and holiday in Malaysia, adding that the project would be IGB Group's first foray into Johor.

"We are always on the lookout for opportunities. Ideally, we want to have Mid-Valley City-type developments in the south, central and north (Penang)," he said.

The integrated development will comprise eight 30-storey tower blocks featuring three hotels Cititel Johor Bahru with 675 rooms, Boulevard Hotel (450 rooms) and The Gardens Hotel (450 rooms).

There will also be four office blocks and one serviced apartment with 180 units.

IGB is the owner and operator of Mid Valley City in Kuala Lumpur while Selia Pantai is a public-private partnership between Selia Group and Johor State investment company, Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor.