The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey

Mid Valley Southkey Shopping Mall in Johor Bahru is the southern region’s largest integrated shopping mall and commercial development which takes on the successful concept of Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall situated within the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. The mega project is located on Lot PTD 221569 Mukim Plentong, Johor Bahru with a land area of 131,000m² (approximately 32.50-acres). Mid Valley SouthKey Phase 1 occupies a land area of 21-acres and is located adjacent to the EDL (Eastern Dispersal Link Expressway) along with North-South ingress / egress connections from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The East–West arterial road, Jalan Bakar Batu that connects Nusajaya to Permas Jaya is situated towards the southern section of the development site. The mixed development comprises of retail, leisure, offices and residences. Mid Valley Southkey is made up of a 32-acres development with a net lettable area (NLA) of 2.5 million ft². The vision behind the design concept is similar to the very successful Kuala Lumpur Mid Valley City’s concept. However, it was further enhanced and refined to cater for an evolving shopper’s demand. The Mid Valley Southkey project comprises of 5 levels of retail and multistorey car park, 2 levels of basement parking, 4 office towers, 1 hotel and 1 service apartment.

Technical Description

EDP Consulting Group Sdn. Bhd. played a key role as the lead designer for the overall structural design of the project. This involvement encompassed a broad range of responsibilities, including the design of the cinema structure for GSC (Golden Screen Cinemas), which required specialized expertise to ensure both functional efficiency and safety within a high-traffic entertainment environment. Additionally, EDP was responsible for the design of the steel structures for the link bridges, ensuring robust and secure connections between different sections of the development. Beyond its core structural design responsibilities, EDP Consulting Group Sdn. Bhd. also took on a pivotal role as the lead designer for geotechnical and civil infrastructure works. This involvement encompassed a broad range of specialized services aimed at ensuring the stability, safety, and functionality of the entire development.

The mall’s retaining wall structures were constructed using 600mm thick diaphragm walls. The diaphragm walls were installed to cut off ground water infiltration to the site during excavation works and to facilitate the basement construction. The lowest basement is approximately 4.5m below ground water table level.

The foundation system of the building structure is supported by bored pile foundation, varying from 1200mm to 2000mm in diameter size. Pour strips were introduced at podium levels floor slabs to cater for concrete expansion.

The carpark structure is constructed using precast hollow core slab and precast beam for speedy and ease of construction. The podium mall structure consists of reinforced concrete band beams with one way slab system. The atrium space houses long cantilever and long span areas to enable the possibility of providing column free spaces. Steel structures are used for the link bridges within the mall, atrium roofs, canopies and mezzanine retail floor.

Project Highlights, Achievement and Recognition:

• The largest shopping mall in the southern region of Johor Bahru as of 2018.