A peek into B5 Johor Street Market

When told about B5, one of the first questions that may inevitably pop up is, “Eh, where is B5 Johor Street Market?”

In the pre-opening media tour of B5 Johor Street Market, the
media group was led by Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd
Executive Director, Yusani Haji Sidek [Left]

Attempts to describe its location include, “Opposite Angsana Johor Baru Mall,”

“It’s in Tampoi New Village,” and “That area with Blue roofs on sheds and containers along the Skudai Highway.”

All the above descriptions are accurate enough to direct visitors to the new development created at an old site which old-timers from an era when distance was measured in miles and not kilometers, refer to as Batu Lima or the Fifth Milestone.

Here Batu Lima has been renamed “B5,” a more concise and hipster name for B5 Johor Street Market, envisioned as a one-stop destination for visitors to Johor Baru for a comprehensive experience of all-things Johorean.

B5 logo that depicts the five main
sections in the street market

While it boasts of four entrances, its main entrance is marked by a grand archway reminiscent of Melbourne’s popular Queen Victoria Market and other familiar landmark tourist markets in the world.

Open to the public on 20 Feb 2020, B5 Johor Street Market aims to attract local and international visitors from middle to mass markets, with an emphasis on families and youths.

In a pre-opening media tour, Executive Director of Damansara Assets Sdn Bhd, Yusani Haji Sidek, introduced the various attractions in B5 in a walkabout tour.

Designed with five main sections for Arts & Culture, Retail Bazaar, Food & Beverage, Food Trucks and a Box Park, B5 is carefully curated to be a convenient one-stop destination for tourists to experience Johor culture and heritage, all in one place.

These attractions are in the form of cultural dance performances, sale of handicrafts and souvenirs along with product making demonstrations and a taste of popular Johor food.

Clear and helpful directional signs

The walkways are paths designed as streets, complete with directional signs and suggested spots for the most interesting Instagram-able photos!

The design concept for this street market reflects the characteristics of Johor heritage as was seen from the retail units that are designed within the sheds.

In Sheds A & B, the retail units are lined up along the corridors like street markets.

These units are built in rows within buildings with facades designed as Heritage shophouses, buses and railway coaches.

Archive photographs of old Johore with newspaper clippings

Posters with photos of familiar stage bus brands in Johor will remind old-timers of a bygone era when people did not own cars but depended on a reliable bus service.

In Shed C & D, D’Mart, a local supermarket, is the anchor tenant with sections for Fresh Fruits like coconut and durian (when in season!) and Fresh Meat, packed in chillers.

Nearby a familiar teak furniture retail outlet which used to be in this area, continues its business in B5.

In a covered space known as the Bazaar, there are spaces and carts where merchants may rent to sell their products in two separate sessions, by Day or by Night.

Retail units are built within these "buses"

This Bazaar will become a colourful and interesting street market for visitors to browse around for useful and decorative souvenirs that reflect the Johor identity.

In the Box Park, creatively designed with a collection of upcycled containers, there are retailers like fashion boutiques and services like a barbershop.

It may be difficult to sense the nostalgia of Old Johore in these spanking new buildings but Yusani and his team are upbeat about developing B5 into Johor’s first one-stop centre for visitors to enjoy and take home a memorable experience in JB.

These "trains" house retail units within its coaches!

For a start, a daily schedule of Cultural Shows that feature Malay, Indian and Chinese cultural dances, will be presented in four shows at 11.30am, 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 8pm, along with buskers’ performances in between.

In addition, a monthly calendar of Exhibitions will showcase cooking and craft demonstrations, art and handicraft making, t-shirt printing and batik painting, among other interesting local art and cultural activities.

Located at the corner where the Skudai Highway meets Jalan Tampoi in Pusat Bandar Tampoi, 81200 Johor Baru, B5 Johor Street Market is not an ordinary mall but a destination for everyone to enjoy.

Check out the Cultural dances and Musical Theatre shows presented in a daily schedule

Plan ahead to visit B5 Johor Street Market to have your own experience of these activities

Peripheral parking is provided within the B5 compound.

Open daily from 10am to 10pm. Visit website: www.b5johorstreetmarket.com

For leasing information, Tel: +6019 – 9293244 or Email to mariam@dasb.com.my

Management office Tel: +607 – 244 1271, Office Hours: 8am to 5.30pm.