The Exchange TRX
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Predecessor | 1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd (as TRX City Sdn Bhd) |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Lendlease Development Malaysia Sdn Bhd and TRX City Sdn Bhd |
| Headquarters | Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia |
Area served | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Products | Retail complex, shopping mall, office tower, hotel, residential high-rises |
| Owner | Lendlease (60%), TRX City Sdn Bhd (Finance Ministry of Malaysia) |
The Exchange TRX, also referred to as TRX Mall and officially named Plaza The Exchange TRX, is a retail complex situated next to Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang shopping area in Malaysia. Located near the intersections of Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Kampung Pandan, it forms part of the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) precinct. This development lies within the TRX Lifestyle Quarter and encompasses a Kimpton hotel, an office tower positioned above the mall, as well as six nearby residential high-rises. The Exchange TRX serves as a foundational component in the broader Tun Razak Exchange project.
Key anchor tenants feature Apple, Seibu Department Store, Golden Screen Cinemas’ Aurum Theatre, and Mercato Supermarket, which was previously managed by Hong Kong’s Dairy Farm Group before being acquired by Malaysian Macrovalue Sdn Bhd in 2023. Other prominent anchors include H&M, Uniqlo, LC Waikiki, Muji, and MPH Bookstores.
Overview
This mall was created through a collaboration between Australian developer Lendlease (operating as Lendlease Development Malaysia Sdn Bhd), holding a 60% stake, and TRX City Sdn Bhd—the principal developer of the district fully owned by Malaysia’s Finance Ministry. Formerly known as 1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the controversial 1MDB, TRX City was rebranded for this initiative. The joint venture company LQ Retail Sdn Bhd was established by Lendlease and TRX City to oversee the project.[1] Spanning 17 acres, the development integrates retail spaces, hospitality, office towers, residential condominiums, and a park, positioning itself as the focal point within the TRX master plan.[2] Construction commenced in 2017; despite setbacks caused by the COVID-19 Movement Control Order, the mall officially launched on 29 November 2023 concurrently with the district’s underground tunnel network.[3]
Boasting more than 400 shops and dining options distributed over four levels, The Exchange TRX caters to mid-to-upper market segments. Luxury brands occupy the ground floor while other retailers, eateries, supermarkets, and a food court are located on lower floors.[4] Facilities include rooftop playgrounds for children and Central Exchange—a central event venue that hosts various seasonal festivities and performances year-round.[5]
In June 2022, Lendlease collaborated with The Exchange 106 to connect the mall with its two-story retail podium at the base of The Exchange 106 tower. This integration constitutes Phase One of The Exchange TRX development featuring 70 retail outlets. A dedicated link known as "106 Connection" bridges Level 1 and Level 2 of the mall directly to The Exchange 106’s retail area.[6]
Several brands made their Malaysian debut at this location, including Salomon, Descente, La Prairie, Drunk Elephant, Gentle Monster, Maison Kitsuné, Cafe Kitsuné, Alo Yoga, a dedicated Guerlain boutique, Dolce & Gabbana, Chaumet, Golden Goose, HeyTea, Reborn Coffee, Ben's Cookies, Mil Toast House, Molton Brown, Tipsy Flamingo, and Läderach.[7] Additionally, Malaysia’s inaugural Apple Store opened here on 22 June 2024 across three floors including an entrance on the rooftop. This marks Apple’s sixth store in Southeast Asia following locations in Singapore and Thailand.[8][9][10] Prior negotiations between Lendlease and Apple Inc. had anticipated securing this strategic retail collaboration at The Exchange TRX.[11]
Rooftop park
More than just a conventional shopping center, the development incorporates a 10-acre artificial park called TRX City Park, or Taman Bandar TRX in Malay, located on Level 3. This area features expansive open spaces interspersed with small garden pockets. Ownership of the park lies with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), while its day-to-day operations and upkeep are managed by TRX.
Within the park, the Play City section offers amenities such as a kids’ playground, a cave-themed area, water installations, and a garden-surrounded pond. Additionally, open-air venues like the Events Lawn and Sunlight Plaza are designed to accommodate future gatherings and activities.
The park is home to various food and beverage outlets, including Malaysia’s inaugural branches of the American fast-food brand Shake Shack and the Japanese coffee chain % Arabica Roastery.
Dining precincts
- Food Exchange – a food court situated at the concourse level under mall management
- Dining Terrace – restaurants and bars located beneath glass roofing above the precinct
- Concourse Dining – eateries offering international and Asian dishes at concourse level
- Premium Dining – upscale dining establishments on the first floor
- Park Dining – rooftop dining options inspired by garden themes
Other precincts
- Beauty Galleria – a ground-floor corridor featuring cosmetic and beauty brands
- Central Exchange – the primary atrium within the mall
- City Avenue – northern segment of the shopping complex
- Park Avenue – southern segment of the mall
- Urban Node – eastern atrium area
- Market Lane – an outdoor pedestrian street hosting artisan shops and alfresco dining
Park zoning
- Events Lawn
- Forest Walk
- Harmony Plaza
- Inspiration Garden
- Play City
- Serenity Garden
- Sunlight Plaza
Accessibility
The mall offers direct connectivity to the Tun Razak Exchange MRT station via an underground passage linking the mall’s concourse with the station’s upper concourse. This MRT station serves as Kuala Lumpur’s sole cross-platform interchange connecting both the MRT Kajang and Putrajaya Lines.
Accessibility is further improved by a newly constructed loop tunnel beneath TRX, which circulates around the district across three levels—two designated for vehicular traffic and one for utilities. This tunnel connects to key highways including the SMART Tunnel, Maju Expressway, Setiawangsa–Pantai Expressway, Jalan Tun Razak, and Jalan Sultan Ismail.
Crane Collapse
On 13 April 2021, amid strong storm conditions, a tower crane's jib collapsed during construction activities. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries reported.
Structural and Operational Issues
Within its inaugural week, the shopping center encountered several problems such as broken tiles, incomplete ceiling work, and escalators and elevators that were not functioning properly. A significant power failure occurred on the mall's second day of operation, lasting several hours. Furthermore, the outdoor playground's central water feature was temporarily shut down for repairs after sustaining damage.
See also
- List of shopping malls in Malaysia
- Bukit Bintang City Centre
- Kuala Lumpur City Centre
- Kwasa Damansara
- Setia City Mall