The Gardens Have Bloomed!
The Gardens @ Midvalley finally opened its doors yesterday and I couldn’t wait to check it out! I had been watching its construction for a while and wondering if it could meet its Sept 2007 launch date. And meet it it did, albeit half empty and dusty! So today, I strolled over to take a look and my first impression, unfinished as it was, was “WOW!”
It’s designed with luxury and high-end in mind which seems to be the trend today with the swanky Pavilion and Starhill downtown. Everywhere was highly polished surfaces, gleaming wood panels and shining metal. The workers were on their hands and knees, literally (!), frantically scrubbing and polishing the tiles while others were vacuuming the rugs at the entrance. Walk in and you’ll be greeted by uniformed staff at the door, complete with white gloves, just like a luxury hotel. A concierge desk is there to assist you with all your needs while lots of comfortable chairs such as these are scattered all over for weary husbands and boyfriends!
The first thing that struck me was that The Gardens very strongly resemble the layout of Vivocity in Singapore with perhaps a bit more luxury brands. Most of the stores here were luxury stores such as Mossimo Dutti, Wedgewood and even a Samsonite boutique. The majority of them were still closed but my main reason for being there was to check out the brand new Robinsons and Isetan stores! I took a quick little stroll around and while Robinsons was quite nice with a cute little display of Lulu Guiness quirky bags at the entrance, it didn’t seem very different from the other stores that we already have. Perhaps I didn’t have much time to walk around but I was hoping it would be a little more like the Robinsons in Singapore with lots of funky brands and stuff we don’t usually get here.
I made a quick dash to Isetan, the other anchor tenant, opposite Robinsons and was rather impressed with their Isetan Beauty Centre which is essentially facial and massage rooms for a few different cosmetic brands. The centre even came with showers and its own makeup room for you to make up at after your facial or massage and amazingly, it came equipped with a full set of Shishedo makeup!
I do wonder though who would dare use it after countless people have touched it!
It was a whirlwind dash through The Gardens and I just had time to take a peep at the funky food garden coming up too which again strongly resembles the quaintly designed Food Republic in Vivocity! For all its opulence and luxury, I just had that feeling that they were trying a little too hard to compete with the big stores like The Pavillion and Starhill which has their own charm. Then again, it could turn out a lot more interesting once the food garden, cinema, Cocoon (I wonder what’s that!) and all the other shops have opened fully by the end of the year.
I wish something could be done about the parking though. The whole area around Midvalley is one huge mess!
- Hari Raya Bliss
- Ah…A Mall!
- iBeauty
- iDay Is Coming
- Pinkelle Still Eats!
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11 Responses to “The Gardens Have Bloomed!”
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Cocoon - A spa where you can roll yourself in seaweed and sleep the afternoons away…
PE says: And emerge a butterfly! Bwahahaha…sounds like something I’d do
I can’t wait to check it out over the weekend! Can I walk over if I park in MidValley?
PE says: Yes, you can! Just walk out of MidValley from the Starbucks/D’lish end (that faces the Boulevard) and you’ll find yourself right opposite The Gardens. There’s a covered canopy walkway to walk under but it’s still not finished so the main entrance still looks a bit crap.
ahhhh! errr… hmmmm… but… where are the real flowers?
PE says: Interestingly enough, May, I didn’t see any!
Maybe not in yet cos they’re still half-open.
ok, I’ll have to skip all this till next year… 278 days to go!
PE says: By then most of the shops should be open! *counts down the days with LB*
Aurelia is boring, Aurelia never goes to new malls anymore, Aurelia is *swa koo* BOOHOOHOO
PE says: Aww…*pat pat* Don’t Buy policy doesn’t mean Don’t See either! Seeing’s always free!
[...] some interesting reviews of Robinsons and Isetan at The Gardens. She actually has two blogs. One is Pink Elle, and the other functions as a Review on the stuff she’s experienced. Pink Elle in French [...]
Thanks for the review!!
Cant wait to pop in for a look-see!
PE says: Do go!
You’re awarded coz you’re fab!
PE says: Thanks Rinnah!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Hugs & Kisses, and many wonderful Wishes!!
*muak* *muak*
PE says: Thanks May! *hugs*
H A P P Y H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y P I N K E L L E ! !
T H A N K Y O U L B!! *H U G*
Happy Birthday Pinkelle!
The Gardens like Vivocity! Woot!!
PE says: Thankoo, GT!
It does really remind me of Vivocity! Maybe it’s the layout…