For many Malaysians who grew up around the Klang Valley area, it is more likely than not that we come to associate some of our fondest memories growing up with a number of popular malls that dot the local landscape. And while some have continued to endure, such as the likes of Sungai Wang Plaza and Lot10, others have been relegated to the annals of memory, with their physical edifices having been torn down to give way to newer developments.
Plaza OUG slated to be demolished this year
Among some of these notable malls that have already suffered that fate include the likes of Ampang Park, one of KL’s first shopping malls, as well as Bukit Bintang (BB) Plaza. And now, that very same bell looks to toll for Taman Overseas Union Garden’s (OUG) legendary Plaza OUG mall. The heartbreaking news was shared by local shopping mall community page Malaysian Shopping Malls yesterday (6th June 2022).
According to the post, one of the mall’s last and largest anchor tenants, Parkson department store, had already moved out of the shopping centre’s premises in 2021. The remaining tenants are expected to follow suit sometime soon.
To be replaced with new development
As The Edge Property reports, the neighbourhood was initially developed in the 1970s by Overseas Union Garden Sdn Bhd, with Plaza OUG once housing the now-defunct Japanese department store chain Yaohan. In fact to this day, many still continue to refer to Plaza OUG as ‘Yaohan’, despite the fact that the department store had shut down almost twenty years ago.
The parcel of land upon which the mall is built has been earmarked for redevelopment, and will eventually be transformed into a 6-storey shopping complex that features a mezzanine floor, alongside two separate towers: a 30-storey hotel, and another 41-storey serviced apartment with 361 units.
Netizens share their memories of the mall
Photos taken of the mall show it’s current state of disrepair, with may shops left vacant and shuttered. And while some restaurants such as Esquire Kitchen and McDonald’s remain open to customers, the remainder of the mall remains dark and unlit, devoid of foot traffic despite the long weekend.
Many netizens have taken to the post’s comment section to share their own heartfelt memories of growing up alongside Plaza OUG.
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Also read: Walk down the memory lane with these nostalgic photos of old Malaysia
