KUALA LUMPUR (March 27): The RM160 million The Weld Heritage Square commercial property project within Penang’s George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site at Pengkalan Weld is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 based on the project’s current construction completion status at 85%, according to its developer today.

The Weld Heritage Square, which is being constructed within a 0.84ha (2.1 acre) land along Lebuhraya Merdeka off Pengkalan Weld, is jointly developed by Adat Makmur Sdn Bhd and Koperasi Gabungan Negeri Pulau Pinang.

Adat Makmur is a residential and commercial property developer and a subsidiary of Zizi Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Zizi group chief executive officer Danial Zulkifli claimed that The Weld Heritage Square was designed specifically to meet strict UNESCO World Heritage Site guidelines.

"It is located in the heritage buffer zone so we face the challenge of building a commercial centre that has to adhere to the strict building height limit of below four storeys.

"We are committed to complete this project and deliver a Penang experience in a commercial centre,” Danial said in a statement today.

According to the statement, the strata-titled project consists of three- and four-storey shop units.

The Weld Heritage Square is now at its final stages of completion and is expected to obtain its certificate of completion and compliance in the first half of 2022, the statement said.

The statement said construction of The Weld Heritage Square started in the first quarter of 2013 and the project is 100% funded by Adat Makmur.

Danial said in the statement the project’s completion has been delayed.

“The project was delayed due to various reasons including court cases as there were settlers on this land and it was under my late father’s management at that time but he fell ill and passed away last year,” he said.