Artist impressions of Bayan Bay (Queensbay). Offices, Retail outlets, one 3-star Hotel, one 5-stat Hotel, condos, housing estate and so on.

Few years back, it was just another abandoned mega construction project like any other places in Malaysia where you witness constructor feeing away your hard earned money. Last year, somebody has taken over the abandoned site and continued its construction till late 2007 where it opened as “Queensbay Mall”, originally known as “Bayan Bay”.

Bayan Bay taken in 2001 (Credit to TYW for the pictures)

Taken in 2006

Queenbay Mall nowadays (taken in June 2007)

Some interior pics

Spacious walkway with freezing cold environment backed with good ventilation (Probably because its still new and not fully occupied).

One of the occupant, Mega Leisure, an arcade.

Penang’s ice rink is back after the fall of BJ Complex’s ice rink for so many years!!

But finding myself extremely disappointed when I saw concrete surface for roller-skating. Heck, we can play roller skate at playground. We don’t need to come here all the way paying RM15 to play here.

Queensbay boosts a section for IT Retailers as well but its not fully occupied yet and the standards here is no where near Prangin Mall’s not to mention Low Yat Plaza at all. A lot of noobies and ‘chapalang’ equipments for suitable for noobies at cut-throat prices can be found here.

GSC Queensbay. Largest cineplex in Northern Region if I’m not mistaken

Traffic

Traffic around the mall is absolutely fine and easily accessible from anywhere in Penang since its connected to major highway / roads. The situation escalates from “FINE” to “HORRIBLE” during public holidays and weekends. You will stuck 100m from the parking entrance for at least 30 minutes and at least 30 minutes more to find yourself a parking space after searching far and wide inside the more than 10 floors of multi-level parking building. The traffic flow may come to standstill due to bad traffic flow management inside and outside the mall. Do expect 15 minutes of traffic jam when exiting the carpark during weekends as well.

Conclusion, there are many rooms for improvement. Last month, KWSP has bought over this shopping mall. Hope the management would still be doing its necessary jobs to keep the mall running smooth and not like any other government related companies, failure! loss! (Fine example, Proton)

Source / Reference