Those who want to have a fun outing may enjoy some retail therapy at Penang’s Design Village in Bandar Cassia (formerly known as Batu Kawan). Opened to the public on Nov 23 by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, with performances and fireworks, this is the only premium outlet mall in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia.

The Klang Valley is facing an oversupply of retail space with more than seven sq ft per capita based on the population of more than seven million. New completions last year, which included Atria Shopping Gallery in Damansara Jaya, Sunway Putra Mall in Kuala Lumpur, Ikea Cheras, Emerald Avenue in Selayang and Star Avenue Lifestyle Mall in Shah Alam, had resulted in more than two million sq ft of new retail space.

ON the weekend of Nov 19 and 20, GSH Corp launched in Singapore its maiden residential development, Eaton Residences, a high-end condominium in Jalan Kia Peng in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). The property exhibition was held at Fairmont Singapore in Raffles City. So far, 180 units have been booked, says GSH. The figure includes the 150 units taken up when the first phase of 280 units was launched in KL on Sept 20, and the units sold subsequently.

During this festive season, with every purchase of any toy, book, game, art and craft as well as play furniture under the IKEA Play range, the IKEA Foundation will donate €1 (about RM4.60) to children’s charity organisations, from now until Dec 24, 2017.

The world’s most important, influential and interconnected cities with the deepest pools of firms and talent continue to command the highest office occupation costs, with Hong Kong topping the chart of global real estate firm JLL’s Premium Office Rent Tracker. Hong Kong is followed by London (West End), New York (Midtown), Beijing, Tokyo and Shanghai.

Industry experts caution that these properties may not fit everyone’s taste as these types of properties have certain characteristics that may or may not benefit their owners.

Volatile ringgit movement against major currencies after the US election on Nov 8 compounded the property slowdown by dampening the sentiment of homebuyers.

With his boyish looks and impish sense of humour, Datuk Douglas Cheng could sell ice to an Eskimo. Likeable to a fault and an entertaining host, the man is a delight to be with. Even without having completely explored the Tun Razak Entertainment Centre (TREC), of which he is co-founder and chairman, I am totally sold on the idea of the purpose-built, all-encompassing and secure location for KLites and tourists alike to sample the city’s nightlife. TREC opened last year and, with the traditional “clubbing” zones of Jalan P Ramlee and Changkat Bukit Bintang looking a little tired after so many years, the timing was perfect.

Other new details include that the HSR lines in Singapore and Malaysia are to be linked by a bridge over the Straits of Johor 25m above the water level.

Droves of Chinese tourists are visiting Johor Bahru daily to view Forest City and other projects from China-based developers, with many hotels reporting good occupancy rates.