Major upgrade aims to transform Johor Bahru’s iconic mall into a lifestyle hub ahead of the RTS Link launch

Johor Bahru City Square (JBCS), one of the most popular malls among Singaporean shoppers, is getting a massive makeover. The landmark mall connected to the Johor Bahru checkpoint will undergo a multi-phase revamp through 2027, featuring new hotel apartments, an adventure park, and a wellness hub designed to reinvent the retail and travel experience for cross-border visitors.

A New Era for Johor Bahru’s Gateway Mall

The transformation of Johor Bahru City Square began in November 2025, as part of a landmark Asset Enhancement Initiative by its owner, Allgreen Properties, a company linked to Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok. The project will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027, shortly after the Singapore–Johor Bahru Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link begins operations in December 2026.

Despite ongoing works, the mall will remain fully operational throughout the renovation period, ensuring that weekend shoppers and Singaporean visitors can still enjoy their JB trips uninterrupted.

What’s New: Hotel Apartments, Wellness Hub, and Adventure Park

Once completed, the revamped JBCS will feature:

• Over 300 retail outlets across themed floors, including Fashion and Athleisure, Home and Hobbies, and International Fashion and Cosmetics
• A 15,000 sq ft children’s adventure park
• A 41,300 sq ft health and wellness hub focused on holistic living
• Integrated hotel apartments above the mall, set for completion in mid-2028

The mall’s total floor space will expand from 547,076 sq ft to 568,927 sq ft, with upgrades to waste management and energy-efficient cooling systems.

Attracting Wellness and Lifestyle Seekers

According to Tan Wee Tiam, Executive Director of Olive Tree Property Consultants, the addition of a wellness hub and hotel apartments could make City Square a top draw for Singaporean visitors seeking affordable yet premium services.

“Beyond F&B or cinemas, wellness services like massage, beauty, and hair salons have become must-visit spots for Singaporeans taking advantage of the exchange rate,” said Tan. “If City Square prices competitively, it could offer a strong alternative to other malls like KSL City.”

Tan added that the inclusion of hotel apartments may attract not only cross-border travellers but also tourists from China, India, and Indonesia who use Johor Bahru as a base for visiting Singapore without paying Singapore’s higher accommodation rates.

A Strategic Move Ahead of the RTS Link

The revamp coincides with the highly anticipated RTS Link between Singapore and Johor Bahru, which is expected to ease congestion and significantly boost daily visitor numbers. City Square’s prime location—just steps from the Sultan Iskandar CIQ complex—gives it a distinct edge as the first stop for travellers entering Johor and the last stop before returning to Singapore.

Real estate experts say this strategic timing positions the mall to capture the expected surge in cross-border retail and leisure spending once the RTS begins operations.

Reviving a JB Classic Amid New Competition

Built in the mid-1990s, JBCS was once Johor Bahru’s undisputed retail hotspot. However, newer malls like Mid Valley Southkey and Paradigm Mall have challenged its dominance in recent years. Allgreen’s revamp seeks to restore City Square’s status as a vibrant, experiential destination blending shopping, lifestyle, and short-stay hospitality.

Allgreen Group Managing Director Tho Leong Chye said, “City Square has long been a beloved mall for both local shoppers and cross-border travellers. By combining refreshed spaces with a curated mix of new brands and experiences, we are ensuring it continues to thrive as the vibrant heart of retail, leisure, and lifestyle for generations to come.”

A Cross-Border Retail Future

In the first half of 2025, Singaporeans made up 11 million of 14 million foreign arrivals in Johor—evidence of the strong and growing cross-border retail ecosystem. With its upcoming facelift, City Square aims to serve this expanding crowd with modern design, improved amenities, and new experiential offerings that complement Johor Bahru’s evolution into a regional shopping and leisure hub.

The revamp of Johor Bahru City Square signals a new era for cross-border retail and lifestyle tourism between Singapore and Johor. With the RTS Link nearing completion and City Square reinventing itself as a hybrid mall-hotel complex, both cities stand to benefit from stronger tourism ties, economic synergy, and an enriched travel experience on either side of the Causeway.

Sources: AsiaOne (2025) , Straits Times (2025)

Keywords: Johor Bahru City Square, Mall Revamp, Hotel Apartments, Wellness Hub, Retail Expansion, Singapore Tourists