It has been 12 years since the opening of the Petronas Twin Towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur. So what's next?

Patchay.Com finds out this week that there are already plans to build several iconic buildings around the city centre and the surrounding outskirts of Mont' Kiara and Mid Valley City.

One of them is called "Ilham Baru", or simply IB Tower which will be built adjacent to the glamorous The Troika residences.

Interestingly, world renowned architect Foster+Partners are involved in both projects - Troika and IB, and will be designing another one for the Platinum Park project (where the crane stands on the right side of the picture below).

For now, site clearing is in progress and construction is expected to start soon.

*** THE END ***

The author is impressed with innovative ideas being used in building and enriching new communities. He is currently attached with one of the global Big 4 auditing firm. He is also an independent urban development commentator on Skyscrapercity.Com, a global urbanity online platform. The author can be contacted at patchayik@yahoo.com.

Related article: Kuala Lumpur Roundup 2008-2012 (Updated8)

Singapore's Marina Bay Sands opens at 3.18pm today.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore's second integrated resort-cum-casino, located at downtown Marina Bay, opens its doors to the public for the first time this afternoon.

Marina Bay Sands is built by one of the world's largest gaming company Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Today, it would open the first phase of the resort with 963 out of the planned 2,560 hotel rooms, a portion of its shopping mall, some restaurants and fine dining outlets, the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, the event plaza, nightlife offerings and the Sands Casino.

The rest of the hotel rooms and suites, the 1 hectare sky terrace-on-the-roof known as Sands SkyPark and additional shops would be available as part of the grand opening on June 23.

The Art-Science Museum in the shape of a floating lotus with laser shows at night, Disney's The Lion King @ Marina Bay Sands Theatre, and the remainder of the shops would open towards the end of 2010.

Luxury brands and designer chefs that have committed to open flagship outlets in the integrated resort include:

- Anne Fontaine,
- Bally,
- Blancpain,
- BOSS Hugo Boss,
- Bottega Veneta,
- Breguet,
- Bvlgari,
- Burberry,
- Cartier,
- Chanel,
- Daniel Boulud,
- Davidoff,
- Dior,
- Fendi,
- Ferragamo,
- Franck Muller,
- Gucci,
- Guy Savoy,
- Hermes,
- Hublot,
- Jaeger-LeCoultre,
- Louis Vuitton,
- Manolo Blahnik,
- Mario Batali,
- Max Mara,
- Miu Miu,
- Nieman Marcus (?),
- Patek Philippe,
- Prada,
- Ralph Lauren,
- Santi Santamaria,
- Stefano Ricci,
- Tetsuya Wakuda,
- Tiffany & Co.,
- Vacheron Constantin,
- Van Cleef & Arpels,
- Wolfgang Puck,
- Yves Saint Laurent,
- Zadig & Voltaire and many more.

*** THE END ***

Acknowledgement: Photo credits to 13oh5, Benyahzee and nsohan.

Budget Malaysian carrier AirAsia is expected to start its first route to Japan before end of 2010.

Operated by AirAsia X, AirAsia's long-distance affiliate, the flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Tokyo's Haneda Airport will begin at a pace of three times per week.

Currently, flag carrier Malaysian Airlines operate flights to Tokyo via Narita International Airport.

In comparison, Haneda is 14km south of Tokyo Station whereas Narita is 58km east of the same rail terminal.

AirAsia X is also tipped to receive the rights to fly to Seoul and other cities soon. It will officially start flying to Mumbai in May and New Delhi in August.

Meanwhile, short-haul affiliate AirAsia recently announced the establishment of a budget carrier in Vietnam.

Luxury brand Louis Vuitton will be opening its new Malaysian store at The Gardens Mall in Mid Valley City.

Louis Vuitton will expand its presence in Malaysia with the opening of its third store in the country. The store is expected to be opened before Christmas 2010.

The 540 sq metres store will be located at the ground floor of The Gardens Mall.

The opening of Louis Vuitton within Mid Valley City will enhance the retail profile of both Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall, both of which are interlinked.

In general, the success of the two malls to attract iconic brands will also enhance the value of surrounding real estate. Several new luxury projects are being planned there including the RM6 billion Kuala Lumpur Eco City and a twin tower project within Mid Valley City itself.

The other two Louis Vuitton stores in Malaysia are located at Starhill Gallery along Jalan Bukit Bintang and at Suria KLCC.

Above all, good news for all shopaholics of Kuala Lumpur!