The Waterfront Shoppes (TWS) is the retail heart of The Light City, the 4.1 million sq ft seafront development by IJM Corporation and Singapore's Perennial Holdings on the Gelugor coast. The mall soft-opens on 29 October 2026 after an earlier September target slipped, and at roughly 1.6 million sq ft it is being billed by its developers as the largest shopping mall in Penang by floor area.
Expect around 300 retail spaces spread across four levels, linked to the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre, which can host more than 10,000 guests. Reports on the soft opening mention themed zones named Union Square, Campbell Court, Victoria Square and Rodeo Drive, a 750-metre waterfront promenade and a planned 30,000 sq ft heritage food hall. Tenants named so far include Bakestone, Mixue, Mii Korea Concept Store, 65c Ondo, Zai San Bei, Loud Speaker Karaoke and Para Thai, while the Xventure indoor adventure park and the ELEMEN light-and-digital-art exhibition both open on the same day. A cinema operated by Mega Cineplex has also been announced.
Because this is a soft opening, not every shop will be trading on day one and the mall says outlets will open in phases. The full tenant directory, operating hours and parking rates had not been published at the time of writing, so check the official site or social channels before making a special trip.
Tip: go late afternoon so you can stroll the seafront promenade before heading indoors for dinner. A Hyatt hotel within the development is slated to open in December 2026.
Highlights
- Around 300 retail spaces over four levels
- 750-metre seafront promenade
- Xventure indoor adventure park and ELEMEN immersive exhibition open on the same day
- Linked to the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre
Tips
- Soft opening means some shops may still be shuttered; more will open in phases
- Parking rates and entrances had not been announced at the time of writing
Not yet confirmed by the organiser: mall operating hours, full tenant directory, parking rates and entrances, cinema opening date. We'll update this page when details are published.
How to get there
The Waterfront Shoppes, The Light City, Jalan Pantai Sinaran, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang. Open in Google Maps or open in Waze.
More new opening in Penang · What's on in Jelutong & Gelugor
Information from The Waterfront Shoppes official site, Citizens Journal: The Waterfront Shoppes soft-opens 29 Oct with Xventure park, Penang Property Talk: Waterfront Shoppes to soft-open on Oct 29, The Edge Malaysia: The Light City retail component to soft-open on Oct 29, George Town City: Waterfront Shoppes opening date & shops. Last verified .
Details change — confirm with the organiser before you go. Spotted an error? Tell us.
