Rawang is rich in firsts — one of Kuala Lumpur’s earliest satellite towns, it housed the first electric generator used by the British for mining and was the first to have electric street lights, as well as a railway station equipped with powered lamps and fans.

Once seen as a residential fringe of Greater KL, the Northern Klang Valley corridor of Rawang, Sungai Buloh and nearby districts has undergone a significant shift in recent years — attracting young families, brands such as AEON and Uniqlo, and integrated commercial developments like the newly launched Atrium at Gamuda Gardens, which is strategically positioned next to lifestyle attractions including Skyline Luge Kuala Lumpur and FunPark. In just nine months, these have drawn more than a million visitors, giving Atrium a ready-made catchment and strong visibility with its highway frontage.

Reflecting this appeal, Atrium has secured MoUs with notable tenants and brands such as Kosa Coffee, Fei Fan Hotpot, Rong Cuisine, The Glasshopper Cafe, Nice Girl Yogurt, Tiga Ikan, Myogurt, Boat House and Calisto, which have expressed an interest in opening ahead of its official launch.

“The corridor is now experiencing a transformation into a self-sustaining, mixed-use growth node,” notes Laurelcap Sdn Bhd executive director Stanley Toh. “This evolution is being driven by robust population inflow, rising consumer demand, strategic infrastructure investments and a shift in development philosophy towards integrated urbanism. The districts of Rawang and Sungai Buloh are increasingly emerging as key catalysts for business expansion in the Klang Valley.”

Eddy Wong from property consultant firm Nawawi Tie Leung says: “Forward-looking businesses were among the early movers to Rawang, recognising the area’s growing catchment, improving infrastructure and long-term commercial potential. With the completion of highways such as the North-South Expressway, the Guthrie Corridor Expressway and the LATAR Expressway, connectivity has improved significantly — now taking just 20 minutes to reach Petaling Jaya, Damansara or Kuala Lumpur. This accessibility enhances the corridor’s viability for retail, F&B and lifestyle-driven enterprises.”

According to previous reports, Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) reported that the population of Mukim Rawang had increased from 199,095 in 2000 to 299,095 in 2020, or a 50% increase over two decades, accounting for about 29.5% of the total population of the areas under the MPS’ administration.

Atrium will see a vibrant tenant mix with retail, F&B and play options to create a retail-tainment hub in Northern Klang Valley

Changing commercial appeal
Laurelcap’s Toh notes that while mature neighbourhoods such as Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya and central KL remain attractive for their established footfall, they are increasingly limited by ageing infrastructure, congestion and a lack of cohesive planning. In contrast, the northern Klang Valley corridor is steadily maturing, supported by ongoing township developments and rising population inflow. This creates an opportunity for businesses to secure an early presence in a growth area that is taking shape as a self-sustaining urban node.

“With newer developments, there tends to be better planning, more organised infrastructure and facilities that support community living — such as parks, event spaces and family-friendly amenities,” says Toh.

Steady growth in value
According to Toh, between March 2024 and February 2025, 111 commercial transactions were recorded in Rawang, with a median value of RM1.1 million and a median price of RM711 psf. Prices ranged from RM800,000 to RM1.389 million, with demand concentrated in Rawang Commercial Centre and The Reef. Compared to previous years, psf prices appreciated between 8% and 14%, signalling a consistent upward trend.

Commercial units within well-connected, master-planned developments — such as Gardens Square at Gamuda Gardens — have also seen encouraging take-up, achieving 80% committed tenancy within seven months of completion.

In Gamuda Land developments such as Jade Hills in Kajang and Bandar Botanic in Klang, commercial assets planned with community integration and placemaking strategies have delivered strong investment returns — the value of shopoffices in Bandar Botanic appreciated 227% in five years, and similar assets at Jade Hills surged 96% in value in two years.

A growing line-up of tenants is set to bring vibrancy to Gamuda Gardens

Distinctive retail-tainment edge
What differentiates integrated hubs such as Atrium in the township of Gamuda Gardens is its ability to layer community, retail and leisure in one cohesive environment. With curated indoor lifestyle offerings complementing its outdoor attractions, Atrium is designed to extend footfall beyond weekends and peak hours, ensuring a well-rounded commercial environment shaped by placemaking and curated play spaces at its doorstep.

Nawawi Tie Leung’s Wong notes that the availability of land in these newer growth areas allows for more deliberate placemaking — integrating walkable streets, greenery and public spaces that encourage community engagement and longer average visitation length. “It’s no longer just about building retail strips; it’s about creating spaces where people want to spend time,” he says.

“For lifestyle-focused businesses, these integrated environments offer more than just a shopfront — they offer visibility within a self-sustaining ecosystem where people live, work and play,” says Toh.

With infrastructure improving, residential catchments growing and visitor traffic on the rise, these emerging hubs offer a timely opportunity for businesses to secure a strategic foothold in well-positioned, future-ready locations. Businesses that move in early stand to gain a competitive edge and build long-term brand loyalty through experience-led engagement.