Johor Bahru continues its retail transformation with SKS City Mall JBCC, a 280,000-square-foot lifestyle destination set to welcome shoppers by 2026. This new shopping mall in JB sits in the heart of Johor Bahru City Centre at Bukit Senyum, directly beneath the newly launched five-star Sheraton Johor Bahru hotel, creating a unique integrated development that combines accommodation, retail, and entertainment in one convenient location.

Prime Location and Accessibility

SKS City Mall enjoys exceptional connectivity, positioned less than 10 minutes from the Woodlands checkpoint along Jalan Storey. The development benefits from direct access to the Tebrau Highway, one of Johor’s major arterial roads, making it particularly convenient for Singaporean day-trippers and Malaysian residents alike. The proximity to the checkpoint and the forthcoming Bukit Chagar Rapid Transit System station—scheduled for completion by late 2026—positions this new shopping mall in JB as a strategic retail hub for cross-border shoppers seeking convenience and variety.

The mall’s Bukit Senyum address places it within walking distance of other established landmarks, including Komtar JBCC and Johor Bahru City Square, creating a concentrated shopping district that appeals to both tourists and locals. This central location means visitors can easily combine their shopping experience at SKS City Mall with exploration of nearby attractions such as the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque and the Bazaar Karat Night Market.

Architectural Design and Atmosphere

The architectural vision for SKS City Mall centres on openness and natural illumination. The development boasts a stunning sunroof and glasshouse-style ceiling across its 4.5 levels of commercial and retail space, flooding the interior with daylight and creating an airy, welcoming atmosphere. This design approach differentiates the new shopping mall in JB from traditional enclosed centres, offering shoppers a more pleasant environment that balances modern comfort with natural elements.

Built on a 3.47-acre site, the mall provides approximately 281,125 square feet of lettable area, carefully planned to accommodate a diverse tenant mix whilst maintaining spacious walkways and communal areas. The integration with the 345-room Sheraton hotel above adds to the development’s architectural interest, creating a vertical mixed-use landmark in the Johor Bahru skyline.

Retail and Lifestyle Tenants

SKS City Mall has curated an impressive roster of retail and lifestyle brands designed to serve a wide demographic. Anchor tenant Village Grocer will provide a premium supermarket experience, offering both local and international products alongside a bakery café. This makes the new shopping mall in JB a practical destination for everyday groceries as well as specialty items.

Fashion and lifestyle enthusiasts can browse through popular retailers including KKV, Miniso, and MiX.Store, which offer affordable homeware, accessories, and lifestyle products. Skechers will cater to footwear needs, whilst New Era brings its signature streetwear and headwear collections. For beauty and wellness, Big Pharmacy will stock pharmaceutical and health products, whilst Thai Odyssey offers traditional Thai massage and spa treatments—perfect for shoppers seeking relaxation after browsing the retail floors.

Families visiting this new shopping mall in JB will appreciate Jungle Gym, Malaysia’s largest indoor playground concept, providing a safe, climate-controlled environment where children can climb, slide, and explore whilst parents relax in adjacent seating areas. The play facility adheres to international safety standards and accommodates toddlers through to children aged 12, making it an ideal destination for family weekends.

Dining and Refreshment Options

The food and beverage selection at SKS City Mall emphasises variety, quality, and authentic flavours. All About Chew makes its Johor debut at the mall, bringing the popular Malaysian soft cookie brand’s chewy signature treats to JB shoppers for the first time. These freshly baked cookies, available in flavours including Chewibacca, Blackout, and Brunette, have developed a cult following across Malaysia for their perfect texture balance.

Palates & Bagels by T.A.M. offers creative bagel creations with Asian-inspired twists. The café, which has built a strong reputation at its Jalan Dhoby and Taman Melodies outlets, serves savoury bagels with fillings ranging from sambal bawang with egg to duck leg confit and wagyu beef patties. Diners can choose from plain, Parmesan cheese, black truffle, or other speciality bagel bases, alongside Thai-inspired pastas and rice bowls.

Oriental Kopi brings traditional Nanyang cuisine to the new shopping mall in JB, specialising in kopitiam classics including Oriental Coffee, signature egg tarts, nasi lemak, mee siam, and Nanyang curry chicken rice. This kopitiam concept celebrates heritage food culture with meticulous attention to traditional preparation methods and quality ingredients.

For Asian noodle enthusiasts, Arashi Shabu-Shabu provides hot pot dining experiences, whilst Soup Tang offers comforting Chinese soups and nourishing broth-based meals. Daily Fresh rounds out the food offerings with quick, accessible meal options suitable for shoppers on the go.

Beverage options include Zus Coffee, the rapidly expanding Malaysian coffee chain known for its tech-enabled ordering system and speciality drinks such as Spanish Latte and Gula Melaka coffee. The brand’s affordable pricing—significantly lower than international chains—combined with quality beans and creative flavour combinations has made it a favourite amongst local coffee drinkers. Beutea provides bubble tea options for those seeking refreshing iced beverages and trendy tea concoctions.

Pacific Kopi, another café concept by The Awesome Mankind group, complements Palates & Bagels with additional coffee and light meal choices, ensuring shoppers at this new shopping mall in JB have no shortage of refreshment spots throughout their visit.

Integration with Sheraton Johor Bahru

The direct connection between SKS City Mall and Sheraton Johor Bahru creates a seamless experience for hotel guests and an added convenience for mall visitors. The 345-room Sheraton, which welcomed its first guests in October 2025, features family-friendly accommodations including ocean-themed suites and Johor Bahru’s largest children’s pool. Hotel facilities include Daily Social restaurant serving international and Malaysian cuisines, &More by Sheraton café and market, Soo Noodles for Asian dishes with late-night service until 1am, and Unspoken Bar, a speakeasy-style cocktail venue.

This integration means hotel guests can access the new shopping mall in JB without stepping outside, whilst mall visitors can utilise hotel facilities such as the lobby’s Community Table workspace or book spa treatments and dining experiences. The synergy between hotel and retail creates a comprehensive urban lifestyle destination that caters to extended stays, quick shopping trips, and everything in between.

Transformation from Pacific Mall

SKS City Mall represents the successful rehabilitation of the long-abandoned Pacific Mall, which stood incomplete for over two decades following the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. The revitalisation project, undertaken by SKS Premium Sdn. Bhd., demonstrates the Johor government’s commitment to rejuvenating prime real estate through its Johor Bersih initiative. The transformation from derelict building to modern mixed-use development not only reclaims valuable city centre land but also creates employment opportunities and contributes to Johor Bahru’s evolving urban landscape.

The redevelopment earned GreenRE Gold certification, reflecting sustainable building practices and environmental considerations in its construction and operation. This focus on sustainability aligns with contemporary retail development trends and appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.

Shopping Experience and Target Market

The tenant mix at SKS City Mall targets middle to upper-middle income families, young professionals, and cross-border shoppers seeking quality retail and dining experiences. The combination of essential services (supermarket, pharmacy), lifestyle shopping (fashion, homeware), entertainment (playground, spa), and diverse dining options positions this new shopping mall in JB as a one-stop destination suitable for various visit purposes—from weekly grocery runs to leisurely weekend outings.

The mall’s operational hours remain to be announced, though based on tenant profiles and the connected hotel operations, extended trading hours are anticipated to accommodate working professionals and evening diners. The presence of late-night dining options suggests the mall aims to maintain activity beyond typical shopping hours, potentially establishing itself as an evening social destination as well.

Future Prospects and Regional Context

SKS City Mall opens amidst a dynamic period for Johor Bahru’s retail landscape. The city has witnessed several new mall developments, including the upcoming Horizon Mall in Horizon Hills (150,000 square feet, opening late 2026) and ongoing developments at waterfront sites such as Tebrau Bay and Danga Rivera. This new shopping mall in JB differentiates itself through its central location, hotel integration, and curated tenant selection that balances practicality with aspirational lifestyle brands.

The completion of the Rapid Transit System Link by end-2026 will further enhance SKS City Mall’s accessibility, connecting Johor Bahru directly to Singapore’s rail network at Woodlands. This improved connectivity is expected to drive increased cross-border traffic, positioning centrally located retail destinations like SKS City Mall to capture a significant share of Singaporean weekend shoppers and tourists.

With full opening scheduled for 2026 and soft opening dates to be confirmed, SKS City Mall stands poised to redefine urban retail in Johor Bahru’s city centre. The combination of strategic location, architectural appeal, diverse tenants, and hotel integration creates a compelling proposition for shoppers seeking convenience, variety, and quality in one destination. As this new shopping mall in JB prepares to welcome its first visitors, it represents not just another retail space, but a revitalised urban landmark that connects commerce, hospitality, and community in the heart of one of Malaysia’s most dynamic cities.