About Avion Residence

Avion is a serviced residence project by Rackson Group in Bayan Lepas, located opposite Penang International Airport and part of the Penang Gateway development. It comprises a 36-storey commercial building with 608 serviced suites above an eight-level car park, with unit sizes ranging from 488 sq ft to 1,328 sq ft. The project includes a proposed link bridge to the future LRT station at the airport and will also accommodate a Le Méridien hotel within the same building.

*Photo taken in Dec 2025

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The proposal requiring motorists to scan a QR code before crossing the new Gurney Bridge to Andaman Island has been withdrawn, following concerns over public access.

Rajendran Anthony, mayor of the Penang Island City Council, said the bridge is intended to function as a public road once opened to traffic, making compulsory registration unsuitable. He added that the bridge, built by the developer, has yet to be officially handed over to the Penang government or placed under the council’s administration, as the handover process is still ongoing.

“The QR code requirement has been removed with immediate effect,” Rajendran told FMT.

The 1.2km, eight-lane bridge links the Gurney Bay waterfront to the Andaman Island development and has quickly become popular with motorists seeking to bypass congestion along Tanjung Tokong. Some users have also been stopping along the span to enjoy sea views, with parked vehicles, foldable chairs and picnic items turning parts of the walkway into informal leisure spots.

While the developer had allowed public access during set hours and conducted regular patrols, frequent stopping by vehicles sparked online debate over safety and legality, leading to the short-lived QR code registration measure.

Rajendran said the bridge plays a key role in easing traffic congestion in Tanjung Tokong, noting that traffic volume along Jalan Tanjung Tokong has dropped significantly since the bridge opened, providing motorists with a much-needed alternative route.

Penang has kicked off the New Year on a high note, earning a coveted spot on the authoritative CNN/New York Times Places to Visit 2026 listing, alongside 20 other destinations worldwide.

The CNN Travel Team named the state among the top 15 places to travel to, describing Penang as “a taste of history.”

Under the top 52 places to visit this year (2026), the state was listed with the likes of Adelaide (its sister Australian city), Algeria (nation), Aragon (Spain), East Timor (nation), Brussels (Belgium), Devon (UK), Oulu (Finland), and Philadelphia (US).

Penang was mentioned for its gastronomic treats, with the Peranakan culture singled out, its history, murals as well as a reference to the world-famous shoemaker, Datuk Jimmy Choo, who is originally from Penang.

“Michelin or not, you don’t need to shell out a lot for a great meal in Penang: street stalls, night markets and kopitiams (traditional coffee shops) serve fragrant curries, steaming bowls of laksa, never-too-sweet pandan and coconut cakes, and other mouth-watering fare.

“Between meals, hunt for George Town’s iconic street murals, including one that pays tribute to hometown hero Jimmy Choo,” said the website.

Meanwhile, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) in Facebook posted that the listing is a global recognition of what makes Penang truly special.

“Penang is the only destination in Malaysia to make the list. The reason is because Penang is celebrated as a multicultural city rich in history that continues to honour and celebrate its storied past.

“From layered heritage streets and living traditions to cultures that thrive side by side, Penang’s story isn’t just preserved, it’s lived every day,” PGT said.

Penang was also listed among the 52 places to visit by the New York Times.

Source: Bernama

A newly proposed mixed development located along Jalan Patani in George Town, directly opposite Taman Sri Patani Flats. The site is situated within a mature urban area and is only a few minutes’ drive from Komtar, with convenient access to the city centre and nearby amenities.

The project involves the demolition of an existing building and the construction of a 33-storey building, comprising 284 serviced residence units with a seven-level car parking podium. Common facilities and recreational areas are planned on Levels 1, 2, 9, and the rooftop. In addition, three retail units will be provided at ground level.

The project is still in its planning stage and more details will be available upon official launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : George Town
Property Type : Mixed development
Tenure: (to be confirmed)
Land Area: (to be confirmed)
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units : 284
Indicative Price : (to be confirmed)
Developer : (Follow us to find out more)

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider, or party in question.

Penang’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry recorded an estimated economic impact (EEI) of RM1 billion in 2025, reinforcing the sector’s growing role in supporting the state’s tourism and property ecosystem.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the figure reflects the broad spillover effects of MICE activities, benefitting transportation, retail, hospitality and supply chain-related sectors across Penang.

According to him, the opening of the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) is expected to further lift the sector’s contribution in 2026, as demand for event hosting in Penang continues to trend upward. It is anticipated that the actual economic impact could exceed current estimates as the new facility gains traction.

Wong was speaking after working visit to PWCC at The Light City with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Also present was Tony Ling Thou Lung, director of IJM Corporation Bhd.

Chow noted that Penang’s MICE segment has shown steady growth over recent years, supported by coordinated efforts from the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) and Penang Global Tourism (PGT). He said PWCC is expected to strengthen Penang’s position as a MICE and tourism hub, not only for the northern region but also at the national level.

Importantly, Chow stressed that the introduction of PWCC is not aimed at competing with existing venues. Instead, it is designed to accommodate rising demand from organisers and delegates who are increasingly choosing Penang as an event destination.

PWCC has been operational since October last year, adding a new large-scale facility to Penang’s existing MICE ecosystem. Chow said that by mid-2026, the supporting components within the development — including a shopping mall, office spaces and a hotel — are expected to be fully completed.

“This integrated development will play a significant role in enhancing Penang’s overall attractiveness as a MICE destination and help unlock further tourism and economic potential,” he said.

On concerns surrounding a potential oversupply of retail space, Chow emphasised that the mixed-use components within the PWCC precinct should be viewed as supporting infrastructure rather than standalone developments.

“The shopping mall, offices and hotel are integral parts of the convention centre ecosystem. They provide essential amenities and services for events, visitors and the surrounding area, and act as a catalyst for broader development,” he added.

IJM’s Ling echoed this view, saying the shopping mall component is not intended to add to an oversupply of malls in Penang. Instead, it is part of a carefully planned mixed-use development with a specific role in supporting the convention centre, office and hospitality uses.

“Oversupply suggests a lack of planning or relevance. In this case, the retail component serves the needs of the precinct and complements the overall development,” he said.

PWCC forms part of a RM4.5 billion freehold waterfront project with a gross floor area exceeding 330,000 sq ft. The development is strategically located along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, near the Penang Bridge and The Light Waterfront.

The project is a joint venture between IJM and Perennial Holdings Private Ltd, and is positioned as a key anchor in Penang’s long-term waterfront and MICE-led development strategy.