KUALA LUMPUR: YTL Corporation Bhd has re-launched the new exterior of Starhill Gallery, Bukit Bintang, after four months of renovation.
YTL managing director Tan Sri Datuk Dr Francis Yeoh said there was a need to "reinvest in a transformation to prevent shopping malls from disappearing".
Unveiled in 1996, the building was known as Starhill Centre and later as CK Tangs, Malaysia's only Singapore-based department store.
"I remember in 1999, Malaysians went to Singapore to shop, as the items here were two seasons out of date.
"Now, Starhill Gallery is the ultimate statement of taste and style in food, fashion, living, beauty and art."
In 2005, the building underwent a massive renovation as YTL recruited world-renowned architects, spearheaded by Stephen Pimpley.
In a statement, Pimpley said the geometrical design was inspired by French fashion designer Christian Lacroix, with his ballet and opera costumes exhibition.
The 26,000sq m shopping mall has seven floors featuring the largest retail watch hub in Asia, top eateries and elite fashion brands Valentino, M Missoni, REDValentino, Sergio Rossi, Kenzo, Leo, Louis Vuitton and Dior.
Starhill Gallery public relations and marketing director Yulia Dolmatova said the gallery would be welcoming the Philip Wain Wellness Centre and YTL Hotels Hospitality School soon.
"YTL foresees the need to groom people in the hospitality industry as there will be more tourists in the future," said Dolmatova.
She said the centre and the school would be launched early next year.
Also present at the re-launch were Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad and Grammy Award-winning singer Julio Iglesias.
