1Borneo was revisited for an update recently and the news is, it’s opening soon.
1Borneo will have a soft soft opening on 31 May when the mall opens to the public and a limited number of stores will start operating.
The actual soft opening will be one week later, on Saturday, 7 June, when more of 1Borneo will be ready for action.
The mall is already humming with anticipation as the main construction of the insides is nearly complete.
Shop owners and renovators are scurrying about, rushing to complete the renovation of their shops.
The sooner they finish, they sooner they can capitalise on inevitable rush of curious shoppers that will flock to 1Borneo once the mall opens to the public.
Ready to start trading now
A handful of shops are fully completed and ready to start trading immediately. Most notably is Golden Screen Cinemas where the only thing lacking in the smell of fresh popcorn.
Starting business with a bang next week, a special pre-opening screening will take place to whet the appetite of KK movie goers who for too long have craved the facilities that GSC at 1Borno has finally brought to Kota Kinabalu.
8 Cinemas are at the ready to bring the latest block busters to the KK cinema circuit and posters for upcoming new releases adorn the walls. Staff training is being conducted in all earnest to serve the KK public.
Kenny Rogers, who were ready to open several weeks ago already, is also ready for action. Nearby, Sushi King’s shop is brand spanking new and ready to serve.
Several other shops are either completed and just needs a dusting, or are mere days away from being completed and stocked.
Come the end of May 1Borneo will have plenty of shops to showcase, but by 7 June the hyper mall will be able to satisfy the crowds even better.
Last Minute Changes
Much has been said about 1Borneo’s boulevard running along the the one side on the outside of the mall, where eateries, restaurants and coffee shops where going to line the road with al fresco seating.
Somewhere in the last 2 months plans have been changed and the boulevard has, in part, been enclosed.
Citing the outdoors as not being too practical in Sabah’s hot weather, the enclosed area allows the outside in with large glass panels, whilst controlling the heat with air condition and panels to control the sun and heat.
Incomplete
Obviously missing from the soft launch hype of 1Borneo are several prominent attractions.
The aquarium for one is still in the initial stages of preparation and the tanks are still being built. This means that no sea life will be on display for some time to come and that some interesting times are ahead once the larger animals are transfered.
Another obviously vacant lot is the fitness and spa centre. As of yet, no tenants have been confirmed and thus the life style hyper mall is currently without a health and wellbeing component.
Exiting the GSC cinemas after a movie will lead you straight to the bowling centre, which will likely not be ready for the soft launch. It is, however, a sprawling facility that stretches off into the distance and promises state of the art equipment once is does launch.
Hotels
Tune Hotels are fully operational across the first two floors. Awaiting some last security upgrades in order to utilise the lift located in the mall outside, Tune Hotels 1Borneo will be 100% functional come 7 June.
The lobby is already crowded with hotel guests taking advantage of the low rates offered by Tune Hotels in Kota Kinabalu’s 1Borneo.
Judging by the nearly completed lobby of the nearby Novotel Hotel 1Borneo, it’s also days away from trading. The fact sheet looks impressive, boasting in-room wi-fi, fitness centres and an outdoor swimming pool.
On the other hand, the other Accor property, Mercure Kota Kinabalu, is set for a July 2008 launch.
With the official fact sheet offering little more than computer generated artists impressions of the rooms and facilities, it is said to offer 338 rooms with various amenities and an outdoor swimming pool.
The combined conference and meeting facilities for 1Borneo is also not quite ready yet, although it is also nearing completion and is anticipated to be ready by the time the hotels are fully operational.
Synopsis
All in all, a lot of work is still to be done on Sabah’s largest lifestyle hyper mall, 1Borneo.
That said, plenty will be unveiled by the soft launching date of 7 June and it’s sure to grab the attention of everyone in Kota Kinabalu.