IOI Properties Sets New Benchmark with Largest GBI-Certified Mall in Malaysia
IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG) has etched a new milestone in Malaysia’s green development landscape with IOI City Mall Phase 2 now officially recognised as the largest mall in Malaysia to be certified under the Green Building Index (GBI).
The certification under the Non-Residential New Construction: Retail (NRNC: Retail) category places IOI City Mall Phase 2 at the forefront of sustainable retail development, bolstering IOI Properties’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials.
In tandem, Moxy Putrajaya—the group’s 480-room lifestyle hotel attached to the mall—also achieved GBI certification under the NRNC: Hotel category, while IOI City Towers 1 and 2 have been upgraded to GBI Silver rating under the same framework.
🌿 A New Era of Sustainable Urban Spaces
This triple-certification achievement solidifies IOI Properties’ role as a forward-thinking developer with sustainability embedded at the heart of its planning and execution.
Chris Chong, chief operating officer of IOI Properties’ Property Investment division, commented:
“The upgrading of GBI certification to Silver for our IOI City Towers and the addition of two new GBI certifications for Moxy Putrajaya and IOI City Mall Phase 2, making it the largest GBI-certified mall in Malaysia, reflects the group’s unwavering commitment to a greener built environment.”
The recognitions were presented by GBI CEO Sarly Adre Sarkum, in the presence of Ho Kwok Wing, director of property development (central region) at IOI Properties, and Datuk Tan Pei Ing, principal at P I Architect.
🏗️ What Is GBI and Why It Matters
The Green Building Index (GBI) is Malaysia’s leading green rating tool designed to evaluate the environmental design and performance of buildings. Certification categories include:
-
Energy efficiency
-
Water efficiency
-
Indoor environmental quality
-
Sustainable site planning
-
Materials and resources
-
Innovation
GBI-certified projects stand out for reducing their carbon footprint, improving occupant well-being, and delivering long-term cost savings through reduced utility usage and smarter systems integration.
🛍️ Sustainable Design at IOI City Mall Phase 2
With the massive expansion of IOI City Mall, Phase 2 alone adds more than 1 million square feet of net lettable retail space—making IOI City Mall the largest mall in Malaysia, spanning over 2.5 million sq ft in total.
Some sustainable features contributing to its GBI recognition include:
-
Smart lighting and ventilation systems
-
Energy-efficient HVAC systems
-
Rainwater harvesting
-
Green landscaping and natural lighting
-
Eco-friendly building materials and construction methods
These innovations don’t just serve the environment—they offer a better experience for tenants and shoppers through improved comfort, cleaner air, and reduced operating costs.
🏨 Moxy Putrajaya: GBI-Certified Lifestyle Hospitality
Moxy Putrajaya, part of Marriott’s global Moxy Hotels brand, is now officially GBI-certified—one of the first lifestyle hotels in Malaysia to achieve this distinction. The hotel caters to both business and leisure travellers, offering:
-
Energy-efficient room systems
-
Water-saving fittings
-
Sustainable guest amenities
-
Efficient waste management systems
The GBI certification further aligns Moxy Putrajaya with growing demand from eco-conscious tourists and business travellers, especially those looking for brands that balance comfort, style, and sustainability.
🏢 IOI City Towers: Business Meets Green Innovation
IOI City Towers 1 and 2—strategically located next to the mall and hotel—now boast GBI Silver status. These premium office spaces are designed for the next generation of corporate occupiers seeking:
-
Green-certified workspaces
-
Smart energy and water systems
-
Flexible floorplates and enhanced indoor air quality
-
Proximity to retail, hospitality, and public transport
The GBI Silver upgrade reinforces the towers’ attractiveness to multinational tenants prioritising ESG compliance and employee well-being.
📈 A Model for ESG-Driven Development in Malaysia
With IOI City Mall Phase 2, Moxy Putrajaya, and IOI City Towers all now GBI-certified, IOI Properties is not just complying with environmental standards—it’s setting the standard.
Sarly Adre Sarkum, CEO of GBI, remarked:
“It is especially inspiring to see sustainability embraced at such a large scale—where the greatest impact on the environment and ESG performance is made. Congratulations to IOI Properties for not just meeting the standard but going above it.”
This success is a beacon for other developers, proving that scale and sustainability can coexist—especially in mixed-use mega projects that integrate retail, hospitality, and office spaces within a unified green infrastructure.
🔍 Conclusion: A Greener Blueprint for Malaysia’s Future
As demand for ESG-aligned properties grows—from REITs to retail tenants to global corporations—IOI Properties’ latest achievement affirms its leadership in green real estate innovation.
By embracing sustainable design and obtaining official GBI certifications, the developer not only improves its value proposition but also contributes meaningfully to Malaysia’s low-carbon urban future.
With these green milestones, IOI City Mall and its integrated components now represent a model for future mega developments in Malaysia—where commerce, community, and climate-consciousness go hand in hand.
