By Lim Chee Wah

Pardon my glowing enthusiasm but the new rooftop at Lot 10 is just gorgeous. It is the sort of transformation you would expect from YTL – contemporary, cool and environmentally themed. What was formerly a car park is now a green space overlooking the KL skyline. It claims to be the ‘forest in the city’, and in some ways it is. Think manicured shrubs, trees, grass lawns, edgy vine-draped glass and corrugated iron structures, and a network of boardwalks. It doesn’t feel like KL at all, and we mean that in a good way. It’s calm, it’s quiet; it’s a very, very impressive space. Then again, it’s designed by award-winning Japanese architect-designer Yuhkichi Kawai, who was responsible for Starhill Gallery’s Feast Village.
We have already reported that there’s an Actors Studio theatre on the rooftop along with a gym, but here’s a sneak peak on what more you can expect from the completely renewed Lot 10, prior to its launch on Oct 10.

Shopping Catering to a young crowd, Lot 10 will feature William Rast (Justin Timberlake’s clothing label), Chick by Nicky Hilton, and Debenhams. It’s interesting to see how this Debenhams will do considering its previous failure over at Berjaya Times Square. Spread across three floors, it will carry the ‘Designer at Debenhams’ fashion brands by leading British designers like Matthew Williamson, Ben de Lisi and Jasper Conran. Also, National Geographic will set up store here. Finally.

Food Teeq Brasserie, manned by YTL’s group executive chef Kevin Cape, is just so chic. The all-glass façade overlooks the city and the lawn. The undulating waves of wooden ribs encircling the ceiling create an interesting optic illusion. While we have yet to verify whether its Japanese, Western, Asian and Thai-style light eats are any good, a recent sampling of its inventive cocktails was enough to win us over – for now. When Lot 10 fully reopens, there will be a Shabu One Steamboat Buffet Restaurant and the lower ground floor will become Lot 10 Hutong, a ‘heritage gourmet village’ featuring traditional eateries that have survived the second and third generations, such as Ho Wing Kee wanton mee, Kum Leen Kei Fukien mee and Mo Sang Kor bak kut teh. We can’t wait to see this.

Entertainment Yes, there will be a club. Known as Rootz, it is inspired by the architecture of great Russian museums and palaces. Even though it might be a tad baroque, the music policy is certainly very cutting edge. Rootz is planning to bring DJs that have not been to KL before, such as DJ Sam Young who is famous in the London club scene. Oh, it also claims to have the largest collection of champagne.

It might be too soon to tell but from what we have seen, the new Actors Studio at Lot 10 rooftop has the same down-to-earth and intimate feeling as its Plaza Putra predecessor. Thought you might like to know.