Iconic A&W Outlet In PJ To Be Torn Down As MBPJ Has Approved Redevelopment Plans
The outlet, which has been in operations since 1965, will be closing down soon.
It appears that the closure of the iconic A&W outlet in Petaling Jaya is imminent as redevelopment plans have been approved by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ)
The Star Online cited a source from MBPJ who said that MBPJ has given the green light during the council's One Stop Centre (OSC) committee meeting recently for the A&W restaurant in Lorong Sultan to be redeveloped.
News first broke in 2014 that fast food restaurant will be closed down to make way for the construction of the KUB Tower project.
However, KUB Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the owner of the A&W Malaysia franchise, failed to obtain MBPJ's approval to transform the A&W restaurant site until recently.
The matter was also confirmed by Bukit Gasing assemblyman R. Rajiv
"I am deeply saddened that this iconic building is going to be torn down and I really wish that they didn’t have to do it.
"However, we also have to respect that this is a private land and the owner is allowed to develop the land in accordance with the guidelines and law," he was quoted as saying by The Star Online.
It was learned that the A&W site will be redeveloped into a building with 20 floors
Initial media reports in the past stated that KUB was looking to build two office towers on the one-acre (0.4ha) piece of land where the A&W restaurant sits on.
Based on the latest developments, it was learned that KUB had initially proposed to build a 36-storey building. According to Rajiv, the final development plan that was approved will consist of a one-block, 20-storey office tower inclusive of a four-storey carpark as MBPJ brought the numbers down.
KUB, when contacted by The Star Online, said that an announcement will be made soon regarding the matter.
MBPJ's approval comes just weeks after KUB president and group managing director Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd Zin recently expressed his hopes that the project will get the nod from the city council this month.
Although the 53-year-old establishment might be gone soon, there is another A&W outlet nearby, at the PJ Palms Sport Centre that will remain open.
What are your fondest memories of the iconic A&W outlet in PJ? Share with us in the comment section below!