PETALING JAYA (Feb 27) — Heng Guan Development (HGD) has strengthened the commercial positioning of its flagship Aera Township in Sungai Petani North, Kedah, after securing five anchor tenants for the upcoming Aera Business Centre.
The confirmed brands — FamilyMart, ZUS Coffee, Momoyo, Nasi Kandar Danial and Alyaa Bistro — represent a combination of established national and regional operators. Their early commitment sets the tone for the township’s first commercial precinct and is expected to generate consistent footfall once operational.
The Aera Business Centre will serve as the inaugural retail and commercial component within the 150-acre master-planned Aera Township. Designed to cater to a growing residential catchment, the development will feature approximately 50 shop offices with capacity for over 80 tenants.
Targeted for completion in the second quarter of 2026, the commercial centre has already achieved nearly 70% take-up — a positive indicator of market confidence. Its completion will align with Aera Gardens, a residential phase comprising 129 homes, ensuring a built-in community to support early business activity.
HGD’s management highlighted that securing strong anchor tenants at this stage enables a curated tenant mix, supports sustainable visitor traffic and establishes a firm base for subsequent phases of township expansion.
Aera Township carries an estimated gross development value of RM828 million and is planned as an integrated community incorporating residential neighbourhoods, commercial zones, retail components, education facilities and lifestyle offerings. The overall project will be delivered in five phases through 2032.
Phase One combines both housing and commercial elements, including the Aera Business Centre, while future phases are expected to introduce approximately 885 additional homes alongside expanded commercial and community infrastructure.
While this development is located in Kedah, the township model reflects a broader trend seen across Malaysia — where integrated master planning drives sustained demand for commercial and industrial real estate. Similar dynamics are evident in Klang Valley growth corridors, where rising residential populations often stimulate demand for commercial property in KL and strategically positioned office space in Bukit Jalil.
As townships mature, they also generate spillover requirements for logistics, warehousing and light manufacturing, reinforcing long-term interest in industrial land in Selangor. Established zones such as Shah Alam, Subang and Puchong continue to benefit from this ecosystem effect, supporting demand for industrial property in Subang area and factory in Puchong.
For investors and occupiers focused on Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, integrated township developments — whether in northern Malaysia or within the Klang Valley — highlight the importance of aligning residential growth with commercial hubs and well-located industrial assets to achieve sustainable, long-term value.
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