Ipoh Parade

Ipoh Parade is a shopping and entertainment complex in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. It opened in 1994 as the first modern shopping mall in the historic city of Ipoh and was developed and operated by the Lion Group. Its establishment introduced a large-scale contemporary retail format to a city whose commercial identity had traditionally been associated with historic town-centre shopping and local businesses. The mall combines retail, dining, leisure and community functions. Its tenant mix has included major anchor and destination businesses such as Parkson, Golden Screen Cinemas, Jaya Grocer, Guardian and Mr DIY. The complex also provides entertainment facilities including karaoke booths, bowling alleys, laser tag and a GSC cineplex. Its cinema operation includes a GSC BIG theatre and has been described as the largest GSC cinema complex in Perak. Other facilities include childcare provision and a prayer hall for Muslim visitors, reflecting the mall's role as an everyday family and community destination rather than only a conventional retail centre. Ipoh Parade underwent a major refurbishment beginning in 2013. The complex closed during the refurbishment period, from late 2013 into 2014, and reopened in 2014 with an updated environment and refreshed tenant and leisure offering. The redevelopment was intended to maintain the mall's relevance in a changing Malaysian retail market and to strengthen its role as a central destination for shopping, entertainment and social activity in Ipoh. Ownership changed in 2012, when the mall was sold to ARA Asia Dragon Fund. It is now owned by ARA Harmony III and managed by ARA Asset Management Limited. The ownership and management changes placed the property within ARA's regional real-estate investment and asset-management platform while preserving Ipoh Parade as a locally focused commercial destination. The mall has also developed a community-facing events programme. Activities associated with Ipoh Parade include the annual Shuddup N’ Dance event, cosplay gatherings, the Diabolo Masters Championship and lion dance competitions. These events attract local and, in some cases, regional participants, helping the property function as an event venue as well as a shopping centre. Ipoh Parade has additionally received recognition in the Malaysia Book of Records for having the biggest outdoor LED advertising screen. As reported for 1 January 2024, the property had approximately 626,262 square feet of net lettable area and was 98.7 percent tenanted. It is accessible by public transport, including the Route 116 service linking it with Terminal Amanjaya. Its current positioning is that of a broad-based regional mall serving Ipoh residents, visitors and families through a combination of everyday retail, grocery, fashion, services, food and beverage, cinema and leisure uses.

Ipoh Parade opened in 1994 in Ipoh, Perak, as the first modern shopping mall in the historic city. The project was built and operated by the Lion Group, which introduced a large-scale integrated retail format combining department-store shopping, specialty retail and leisure facilities. Its opening marked an important change in Ipoh's commercial landscape by providing a modern, centrally located destination designed to serve both routine shopping needs and family outings. Over time, Ipoh Parade developed a broad tenant and facilities mix. Its principal anchors and destination tenants have included Parkson, Golden Screen Cinemas, Jaya Grocer, Guardian and Mr DIY. The complex also incorporated entertainment uses such as karaoke booths, bowling alleys, laser tag and a cineplex operated by Golden Screen Cinemas. The cinema includes a GSC BIG theatre and has been described as the largest GSC cinema operation in Perak. Childcare facilities and a prayer hall added services aimed at families and Muslim visitors. In 2012, the property was sold to ARA Asia Dragon Fund. The transaction shifted the mall from its original Lion Group ownership and operating context into the ARA-related investment platform. A major refurbishment followed in 2013. Ipoh Parade closed during the refurbishment period, which extended from late 2013 into 2014, before reopening in 2014. The redevelopment refreshed the physical environment and supported the mall's continuing role as a destination for retail, food, leisure and entertainment. Following the refurbishment, Ipoh Parade continued to operate as a regional mall for Ipoh and the wider Perak area. Its programming expanded beyond commercial tenancy to include public-facing events. The mall has hosted the annual Shuddup N’ Dance event, cosplay activities, the Diabolo Masters Championship and lion dance competitions. These programmes have brought together local participants and, for some events, competitors from outside the immediate area. They illustrate the property's role as a venue for cultural, recreational and community activity in addition to its shopping function. Ipoh Parade has also been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for the biggest outdoor LED advertising screen. The mall is accessible by public transport through Route 116, which connects with Terminal Amanjaya. It is currently owned by ARA Harmony III and managed by ARA Asset Management Limited. A reported property position as of 1 January 2024 recorded about 626,262 square feet of net lettable area and a 98.7 percent tenancy rate. These figures indicate that the property remains an active and substantially occupied retail asset, although they do not by themselves establish its financial performance.

• 2024

  Reported occupancy and lettable-area position

  [1]Ipoh Paradeen.wikipedia.org

  As of 1 January 2024, the property is reported to have 626,262 square feet of net lettable area and to be 98.7 percent tenanted.

• 2014

  Refurbished mall reopens

  [1]Ipoh Paradeen.wikipedia.org

  The mall reopens after its refurbishment, with refreshed facilities and a renewed entertainment and tenant offering.

• 2013

  Major refurbishment begins

  [1]Ipoh Paradeen.wikipedia.org

  Ipoh Parade closes for a substantial refurbishment intended to renew the mall's retail and leisure environment.

• 2012

  Ownership transfers to ARA Asia Dragon Fund

  [1]Ipoh Paradeen.wikipedia.org

  The mall is sold to ARA Asia Dragon Fund, beginning a new ownership phase for the property.

• 1994

  Ipoh Parade opens

  [1]Ipoh Paradeen.wikipedia.org

  Ipoh Parade opens in Ipoh as the city's first modern shopping mall. The complex is built and operated by the Lion Group.

A regional shopping, dining, entertainment and community destination serving Ipoh and the wider Perak market.

• Department store

  Parkson

  Parkson is one of Ipoh Parade's principal anchor tenants, providing department-store merchandise across categories such as fashion, beauty, household goods and lifestyle products. Its role helps generate regular customer traffic and complements the mall's specialty retailers and other destination businesses.

• Cinema and entertainment

  Golden Screen Cinemas

  The Golden Screen Cinemas operation provides movie entertainment within Ipoh Parade. The cineplex includes a GSC BIG theatre and is described in reference material as the largest GSC cinema complex in Perak, making it a significant leisure anchor for the mall.

• Supermarket and grocery

  Jaya Grocer

  Jaya Grocer provides grocery and supermarket shopping within the mall. As a food and household-needs anchor, it broadens Ipoh Parade's appeal beyond discretionary shopping and supports frequent, practical visits by nearby residents.

• Health and beauty retail

  Guardian

  Guardian represents the health, beauty and personal-care component of Ipoh Parade's tenant mix. Its presence adds everyday pharmacy, wellness and personal-care shopping to the mall's department-store, grocery and entertainment offer.

• Home-improvement and general merchandise

  Mr DIY

  Mr DIY provides home-improvement, household and general-merchandise products. The store contributes a practical, value-oriented retail component and helps diversify Ipoh Parade's offer across everyday household needs.

• Leisure and recreation

  Leisure and family facilities

  Ipoh Parade's leisure offer includes karaoke booths, bowling alleys, laser tag and cinema entertainment. The mall also provides childcare facilities and a prayer hall, supporting family visits and accommodating a range of visitor needs.

• Shuddup N’ Dance

  Malaysia

  An annual dance-focused community event hosted by Ipoh Parade, forming part of the mall's programme of public-facing activities.

  Outcome. The event has helped position the mall as a venue for local cultural and recreational participation.

  Source
• Cosplay events

  Malaysia

  Ipoh Parade has hosted cosplay gatherings as part of its community and entertainment programming.

  Outcome. The events broaden the mall's appeal to youth, fan and creative communities.

  Source
• Diabolo Masters Championship

  Malaysia · Regional participants

  A diabolo competition hosted at Ipoh Parade, with participation described as extending beyond the immediate local community.

  Outcome. The championship supports the mall's identity as an event and community venue.

  Source
• Lion Dance competitions

  Malaysia · Regional participants

  Lion dance competitions have been staged at the mall and attended by local and regional participants.

  Outcome. The competitions connect Ipoh Parade with Malaysian cultural and community traditions.

  Source

• 2013

  Major refurbishment and temporary closureStrategy

  Background

  The established shopping mall required a substantial renewal of its physical environment and commercial offer.

  Action taken

  Ipoh Parade closed from late 2013 into 2014 for a major refurbishment.

  Aftermath

  The mall reopened in 2014 with refreshed facilities and continued emphasis on retail, entertainment and community uses.

  Source

• 2012

  Sale to ARA Asia Dragon FundM&A

  Background

  Ipoh Parade changed ownership after being sold by its original Lion Group ownership structure.

  Action taken

  The property was acquired by ARA Asia Dragon Fund.

  Aftermath

  The mall subsequently became associated with ARA's regional real-estate investment and management platform.

  Source

1. 1Ipoh Paradeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Ipoh Parade official websiteipoh.parade.com.my