Two Malls, One Neighbourhood: Why Sunway Needs Both Square and Geo

Sunway Geo Avenue (left) and Sunway Square Mall (right) are located side by side in the Sunway precinct. (Photo: Sunway Official Website)

When Sunway Square Mall officially opened on 11th December 2025, it became the center of public interest. Bright lights, sleek interiors and the promise of new retail experiences pulled visitors into its air-conditioned halls. Sunway Geo Avenue located just a short distance from Sunway Square offers a contrasting scene: open-air walkways which makes people move at a relaxed pace. 

With two malls standing so close to each other, questions naturally arise. Do they compete for the same crowd? Or are they designed to serve different needs within the same neighbourhood?

The two areas become more similar when you explore them.

Sunway Square Mall: New, Energetic , Crowded

Sunway Square Mall operates for a different purpose. The mall positions itself as a destination mall through its contemporary design, more retail shops, and larger shopping space which particularly attracts students and young adults.

Shoppers carrying Sunway Square Mall bags explore the newly opened mall, capturing the excitement of its first days. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

Miu and Aisyah, both 22, noticed this distinction immediately after visiting the new mall.

After visiting Sunway Square Mall, Miu (right) and Aisyah (left) wait for their Grab at Sunway Geo Avenue with drinks bought from the new mall. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

“Sunway Square has more new shops and it’s much bigger,” they said. “Sunway Geo feels more catered to people who live nearby, like condo residents.”

They also noticed that Sunway Square appears to be designed with students in mind, with easy access to its facilities such as a library. This makes it not just a shopping venue, but a space for work and social activities.

A library with an in-house café at Sunway Square Mall offers visitors a space to study, read and relax. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

In terms of convenience, the pair observed that personal choice was often based on their current location and their intended activities. “It depends on which side of the road you’re coming from,” they said. Sunway Square provides the most convenient access to quick meals and casual gatherings due to its proximity and scale.

Sunway Geo Avenue: Where the Pace Slows Down

Sunway Geo Avenue, which has existed in the area for several years, has operated as a lifestyle-oriented, community-friendly space. Its open-air concept allows natural airflow to produce a comfortable breezy atmosphere even without full air-conditioning. According to Faizah, 35, this atmosphere makes a significant difference.

Reporter Hong Jia Yi (left) interviews visitor Faizah (right) at the resting area of Sunway Geo Avenue. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

“I think Sunway Geo is quieter and chill,” she said. “It’s a nice place where people can meet and spend time together. It’s also less crowded compared to Sunway Square.”

For Faizah, the appeal combines both comfort elements with practical design features. When choosing a place to sit down, eat or simply unwind, she prefers Sunway Geo over its newer neighbour. She described her experience at Sunway Square as overwhelming, but she acknowledged that the crowd might be because of the excitement of a new opening.

“I understand why some people like Sunway Square because it’s air-conditioned,” she added. “But Sunway Geo is not hot. It’s very airy.”

The open-air ceiling at Sunway Geo Avenue. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

The open layout also makes Sunway Geo more accommodating for families who have small kids. Faizah pointed out that children can explore freely in the space, while parents maintain visibility of their kids without the stress of crowds.

“In indoor malls, kids can easily get lost and people may get annoyed when children run around,” she said. “Here, it feels more family-friendly.”

Sunway Geo Avenue’s cozy atmosphere encourages visitors to slow down and linger. (Photo: Jiayi’s phone)

Sunway Geo or Square? Why Not Both?

Yet, despite its appeal, the excitement of Sunway Square does not diminish the relevance of Sunway Geo. Instead, the two malls appear to complement each other, reflecting a broader approach to urban planning that prioritises diversity in lifestyle spaces.

While Sunway Square thrives on energy, crowds and novelty, Sunway Geo offers a peaceful environment for people to find relaxation. One caters to heavy public flow and business operations, the other nurtures community, and provides residents with their daily needs. 

This dual-mall setup demonstrates how urban developments are designed. Rather than forcing all visitors into a single type of environment, Sunway provides choices. Students rushing between classes, families spending a quiet afternoon, and residents looking for a relaxed dinner spot all find spaces that suit their needs — without having to leave the neighbourhood.

In the end, the presence of two malls so close together is not redundant, but intentional. Sunway Square and Sunway Geo may share the same location, but they represent different patterns of modern life.

In Sunway, shopping is no longer just about retail — it is a lifestyle, it is about how people choose to move, gather and live.