What Happened To Ampang Park — Malaysia's First-Ever Shopping Mall
Once a mall, now an actual park.
By Tamara Jayne — 21 Jan 2025, 09:32 AM
If you've ever lived in KL, Ampang Park was the place to be
Opened in 1973, it wasn't just a mall — it was Malaysia's first-ever shopping centre, and for 44 years, it held its own as an iconic spot in the city.
Ampang Park Shopping Centre was the brainchild of Tan Sri Low Keng Huat and his brothers, inspired by the success of Singapore's People's Park shopping mall, which they had also developed.
But what happened to this beloved landmark that so many Malaysians grew up with? Let's take a walk down memory lane.
Picture a time when there was no Instagram or TikTok, and hanging out at the mall was the thing to do
Walking through Ampang Park's doors felt futuristic — narrow escalators (a novelty back then!), split-level floors, and a vibrant mix of local and international stores.
It had everything: shops, eateries, tailors, a cinema, and even a playground on the top floor.
For many, it wasn't just a place to shop but a hub for lepak sessions and family outings.
It was where people caught up with friends, bought their first pair of jeans, or got a suit tailored for a big occasion.
It was the heart of KL, and for decades, it stayed that way.
Shoppers like Azean Hasan, who visited as a child in 1973, still remember the novelty of escalators and the playground on the top floor. "We spent hours going up and down the escalator while my mum shopped," she recalled, according to the New Straits Times.
Business owners, like Mah Su Ping, whose family ran an electronics shop for three generations, described it as a place where tenants felt like family.
As newer, flashier malls like KLCC, Pavilion, and Mid Valley emerged in the '90s and 2000s, Ampang Park began to lose its shine
It was no longer the glamorous hotspot it once was but instead became a hidden gem for bargain hunters, tailoring enthusiasts, and those seeking unique trinkets.
While its charm and loyal community remained, it was clear that Ampang Park couldn't keep up with modern retail trends.
In 2017, it was announced that the mall would be demolished to accommodate the construction of the Ampang MRT station
Despite petitions, protests, and even legal challenges by tenants, progress took priority over nostalgia.
By 31 December 2017, the mall saw its final day of operations. Business owners packed up their lives, and shoppers came for one last nostalgic walk through its halls. Memories, like the playground on the top floor or that one boutique you always hit up for the latest shoes, were all that remained.
Fast forward to today, and the site of Ampang Park has transformed into something entirely new — the Urban Skate Plaza
Officially opened on 12 August 2023, this vibrant skate park is a collaboration with Vans and is located near the Ampang Park MRT station.
With ledges, rails, and ramps for skaters of all levels, it's quickly become a hub for the skateboarding community, breathing new life into the area.
