From left: I-Bhd directors Celia Goh, Peck Boon Soon and Ng Chee Keat; I-Bhd CEO Puan Sri Tey Siew Thuan; I-Bhd director Datuk Eu Hong Chew; Ricky and Kim Hong at the gong ceremony (Photo by Patrick Goh/The Edge)

SHAH ALAM (July 27): I-Bhd’s i-City Finance Avenue is now 30% complete, following the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton in i-City, Shah Alam, Selangor on Wednesday (July 27).

As a part of the 72-acre i-City development, i-City Finance Avenue is a 7.45-acre integrated business centre. It comprises Mercu Maybank office tower — which was launched early this year, DoubleTree by Hilton, an international convention centre, residential towers, premium offices, and signature retail suites. The total gross development value of i-City Financial Avenue is RM1.5 billion.

"With the completion of DoubleTree by Hilton, i-City Finance Avenue is now 30% completed. The next one will be the convention centre, which is slated for completion by the end of next year," said i-City chief technology officer and executive director Ricky Lim after the ribbon cutting ceremony of DoubleTree by Hilton, as well as the gong ceremony to officially launch i-City Finance Avenue on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, I-Bhd chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong, who officiated the launch and opening of both ceremonies, said the new hotel would add great value to i-City Finance Avenue.

"The opening of DoubleTree by Hilton with its 300-room luxury hotel marks the expansion of Hilton’s award-winning brand into i-City Finance Avenue. This expansion underscores our commitment to introducing world-class brands to i-City Finance Avenue, as we are committed to continuously contribute to the Selangor economy and further strengthen its tourism industry," Kim Hong said.

The hotel features two signature restaurants — Makan Kitchen and Tosca Trattoria Italiana, and two cafe lounges — The Koffee and Axis Lounge. The hotel also provides meeting rooms, incentives, conferencing and exhibition facilities.

To assure that hotel guests would be able to enjoy excellent connectivity, Ricky said the development’s smart technology infrastructure comprises an integrated certified Tier-3 data centre, super artificial intelligence (AI) network and dual fibre network.

"DoubleTree by Hilton is set to benefit from our plan for i-City to be the next generation AI smart city, which will place i-City among the most efficient, sustainable and prosperous cities," Ricky commented.