JB City Square at 106–108 Jalan Wong Ah Fook in Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD) is undergoing its biggest transformation in years: the mall announced in November 2025 that it is expanding its retail floor from 547,076 sq ft to 568,927 sq ft, adding a 41,300 sq ft Health & Wellness Hub, a 15,000 sq ft Kids Adventure Park, and growing its store count from roughly 247 to over 300 retailers across themed floors — all targeting Q4 2027 completion.
Stand at the entrance of JB City Square today and the scaffolding at the atrium tells you immediately something big is happening here. The gleam of metal frames, the occasional hum of power tools echoing down from upper floors, the boarded-up sections where familiar facades used to be — it has that distinctive in-between energy of a place that knows it’s becoming something better, but isn’t there yet. If you walked in expecting business as usual in 2026, some sections will catch you off guard, lah.
But here’s the thing — the mall is very much still open, and the transformation ahead is genuinely worth getting excited about.
What is happening to JB City Square right now?
The renovation was officially announced in November 2025. Works are being carried out in phases so the mall stays open throughout — no full closure. As of mid-2026, scaffolding occupies the atrium and several upper-floor sections are boarded up while construction proceeds. Some tenants have temporarily suspended operations during this phase, including well-known names like Uniqlo and KyoChon Chicken. The current experience is honest: you can still shop, eat and browse, but the vibe is part construction site, part fully operational mall. Check citysqjb.com for the latest list of open establishments before making a special trip.
What is being added to JB City Square?
The headline additions are substantial. First, a 41,300 sq ft Health & Wellness Hub covering spa treatments, beauty services and health outlets — the kind of dedicated wellness floor that most JB malls simply don’t have at this scale. Second, a 15,000 sq ft Kids Adventure Park, which will be a draw for families who currently have to travel further afield for that kind of indoor play experience. Beyond these anchors, the retail floor is being reorganised into themed floors covering fashion, wellness, lifestyle and technology, pushing the tenant count from around 247 stores to over 300.
Above the mall, hotel apartments are being integrated into the development, with that component targeting Q2 2028 — slightly later than the main mall Q4 2027 completion date.
Timing is interesting here. Q4 2027 lines up strategically with the broader transformation of central JB that began with the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS Link), expected to launch in December 2026. Cross-border rail passengers arriving near the Causeway area will be much closer to the IIBD zone where City Square sits, and the mall clearly wants to be ready for that wave of visitors.
What are JB City Square’s operating hours during renovation?
The mall continues to operate daily (Monday to Sunday, including public holidays) from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Renovation work runs in the background without forcing a closure, though the atrium and certain upper sections remain inaccessible while in progress. As always with active renovation sites, it is worth checking the official website for any changes to specific floor access.
- Name: JB City Square (Johor Bahru City Square)
- Address: 106–108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, 80888 Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD), Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
- Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (including public holidays; some sections restricted during renovation)
- Halal status: N/A — a shopping mall, not a single food outlet. Individual restaurant and food court tenants hold their own halal certification; check per-stall.
- Distance from KSL D’Esplanade: Approximately 3.1 km by road — about 3 minutes by Grab/taxi (RM8–10) or 12 minutes by bus from JB Sentral (RM1–3)
- Google Maps: Open in Google Maps 📍
Is JB City Square halal?
JB City Square is a shopping mall, not a single eatery, so there is no single halal certification that covers the whole building. Halal status applies per tenant — each restaurant and food court stall holds (or does not hold) its own certification. If halal dining matters to you, check directly with whichever food outlet you plan to visit inside the mall. The food court and several restaurant tenants do cater to Muslim diners; the mall’s website and tenant directory are the best place to verify current options.
How far is JB City Square from KSL D’Esplanade and Southern Homestay?
This is worth being straight about, because the distance surprises some guests. JB City Square is approximately 3.1 km by road from KSL D’Esplanade — about a 3-minute Grab or taxi ride (RM8–10) or a 12-minute bus ride from JB Sentral (RM1–3). Walking is possible at roughly 3.9 km, but that is about 47 minutes on foot — not exactly a stroll, especially in JB heat.
By contrast, KSL City Mall is directly attached to KSL D’Esplanade and reachable in under 5 minutes on foot — you can be in the mall before the air conditioning from the lobby entrance has fully worn off your skin. If you are staying with us at Southern Homestay and want a quick mall fix, KSL City Mall is genuinely your most convenient option: supermarket, pharmacies, money changers, food courts and a cinema all within the same complex. We have a full breakdown of what is inside in our KSL City Mall guest guide.
Should you visit JB City Square or KSL City Mall?
Honestly? They serve different purposes, and the renovation adds an interesting dimension to this question.
KSL City Mall is the classic JB mall experience — chaotic in the best possible way, budget-friendly, with tenants like Miniso, low-cost food courts and the kind of energy that reminds you why Singaporeans keep coming back. It is eclectic, a bit overwhelming and very JB. For guests at Southern Homestay it is also essentially downstairs, which is confirm shiok.
JB City Square post-renovation is targeting something different: a more organised, premium-adjacent retail environment with themed floors, a proper wellness destination in the 41,300 sq ft Health & Wellness Hub, and a kids attraction that gives families a reason to spend a whole afternoon there. If you are in JB for more than a night and want to try both vibes — the familiar chaos of KSL and the (eventual) calm of a reorganised City Square — it is an easy Grab ride between them.
The insider tip for now: visit City Square on a weekday rather than a weekend. Weekday crowds are thinner, which matters more during active renovation when the comfortable browsing space is reduced. If Uniqlo or KyoChon is on your list specifically, check citysqjb.com before heading over as these tenants are temporarily suspended during works.
Planning a trip to Johor Bahru? Book your stay at Southern Homestay — our studio and 2-bedroom units at KSL D’Esplanade are approximately 3.1 km from JB City Square on Jalan Wong Ah Fook, with KSL City Mall right next door for your everyday shopping needs. WhatsApp us at +60 12-708 8789 to check availability.