The anticipated shopping mall from Malaysia-based retail chain Parkson Holdings Bhd will be a seven-storey building directly opposite the Phnom Penh International Airport, complete with a supermarket, bowling alleys, retail lots, gymnasium, showrooms, karaoke and a swimming pool, according to a statement filed with Malaysia’s stock exchange on Friday.

Next to the mall, which is expected to open in June 2017, the company plans to construct a hotel and serviced apartments.

Parkson is entering Phnom Penh’s growing mega-mall landscape, joining the Japanese-funded, 68,000-square-metre Aeon mall set to open in mid-2014 on Sothearos Boulevard next to the Sofitel.

Hiroshi Suzuki, CEO and chief economist of the Business Research Institute for Cambodia, said a growing middle class means there’s room for a variety of mega malls, none of which has opened its doors yet.

Parkson could not be reached for comment yesterday. However, last week’s statement described the project as having “good accessibility with enhanced infrastructure and strategic location”, neighbouring international brand car showrooms and industrial parks.”

“Phnom Penh … has in recent years been reported to have attracted international retailers such as Aeon and Costa Coffee, Swensons and Kentucky Fried Chicken,” the statement said.

Parkson operates 52 department stores in Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia, according to its website.