Those who have made their way across the Causeway to Johor Bahru would likely have found themselves at Johor Bahru City Square at one time or another. Located just minutes from the Johor Bahru–Singapore Causeway and connect to the Johor Bahru CIQ Complex, Johor Bahru City Square has long been a popular retail landmark for both Malaysians and Singaporeans.
Johor Bahru City Square will be undergoing a transformation with works beginning this month and the completion targeted for Q4 2027. This will be done in five distinct phases and the mall will continue to operate as usual as new zones and features are progressively unveiled.
Johor Bahru City Square Renovations & Transformation
The renovation of Johor Bahru City Square will include a refreshed façade, reimagined interiors, expanded retail mix and a host of new experiences.
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One of the exciting new additions is a Kids Adventure Park – 15,000 square feet of family fun.
There will also be a Health & Wellness Hub consisting of 41,300 square feet dedicated to holistic living and flexible event spaces and hotel apartments above the mall.
What to Expect at the Renovated Johor Bahru City Square
Here is what you can expect to change with the renovation of Johor Bahru City Square:
- Retail expansion, growing from 247 to 300+ retailers, with more anchor tenants, refreshed specialty stores and immersive experiential zones.
- New food precincts blending global cuisines with local favourites.
- Family & Wellness amenities like the Kids Adventure Park and Health & Wellness Hub for all ages.
- Sustainability & Tech that taps on energy-efficient cooling, smart parking, digital connectivity, and waste management upgrades.
- A brighter, modern architectural design with a new facade and improved layouts for seamless shopping.
The work on refreshing the mall’s interiors will begin Q4 2025.
2026 to 2027 will see work done on refreshing the mall facade, phased tenant enhancements, new F&B, wellness and recreation concepts.
The hotel apartments above the mall, targeted at cross-border commuters, urban professionals, and long-stay visitors, are expected to be completed in Q2 2028.
“Our transformation is not just about unveiling a striking new look — it’s about shaping a future-ready destination. JBCS 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 investing in JBCS’ future to ensure it continues to thrive as the vibrant heart of retail, leisure, and lifestyle for generations to come,” said Mr. Tho Leong Chye, Managing Director of Allgreen Group, the company that owns JBCS.
Poised to Welcome Both Domestic and Cross-border Visitors
With the upcoming Rapid Transit System linking Johor Bahru to Singapore in just six minutes by end-2026, the renovated Johor Bahru City Square will be positioned to welcome both domestic shoppers and a surge of cross-border visitors, boosting retail vibrancy and tenant growth and also fostering community spaces.
During the entire renovation process, Johor Bahru City Square will remain fully operational.
If you love to visit Johor Bahru, you may also be interested to read about things that you can do with the family at another Johor Bahru mall – Mid Valley Southkey.
