All-in-one space for books, culture, lifestyle, architecture and much more 

by NURUL SUHAIDI 

“BOOKS, culture, lifestyle and everything in between.” This tagline really speaks for itself as you walk into Eslite Spectrum Kuala Lumpur (KL) at luxury shopping mall The Starhill in the Bukit Bintang shopping district. 

Eslite Spectrum KL is the flagship store in South-East Asia for Taiwanese mega bookshop chain Eslite Bookstore. It officially opened its doors on Dec 17, perfectly timed for the year-end school holidays and festive gift-giving rush. 

This also marks the entry of yet another mega bookstore chain into Malaysia after the opening of Tsutaya Books, which is also the Japanese company’s first bookstore in South-East Asia, at Pavilion Bukit Jalil on July 7. The bookstore takes up to 31,000 sq feet with floor-to-ceiling shelves lined with over 240,000 books, stationery and related goods. 

For Eslite, the group has expanded across Taiwan to Hong Kong, Suzhou, Tokyo and Malaysia with a total of 48 locations to date, aiming to promote reading, cultural exchanges and positive energy. 

“Hospitality was also the original thought of my father Robert, when he founded Eslite, its goal was to become a spiritual place hospitable to books and the mood of its visitors, a cultural and creative enterprise with great value to society,” said Eslite Corp chairperson Mercy Wu. 

Brimming with joy and gratitude, Wu hopes that Eslite Spectrum KL will become a place of humanistic care, filled with fun exploration and embracing inclusion for everyone. 

The key highlight is the concept itself, which is beyond just a bookstore. Eslite Spectrum is unique as it incorporate books, creative pursuits, culture and craftsmanship, as well as commercial activities. Essentially, it is a well-curated “mini shopping mall” on its own. 

‘Invisible Cities’ 

As one of the largest retail bookstore chains in Taiwan, Eslite’s lifestyle library concept is great new spot for bibliophiles and lifestyle enthusiasts to recharge their souls. Staying true to its core values of evocative architecture and landscape, the store’s interior concept was meticulously designed by Taiwanese architect Powen Hsiao, who drew inspiration from Italian author Italo Calvino’s classic “Invisible Cities”. 

Inspired by the novel, Eslite Spectrum KL features four distinct themed cities spanning over 6,500 sq m of space at The Starhill. Visitors may immerse themselves in all the four cities — City of Arches, the Floating City, the City of Rippling Waves and the City of Eternal Day — that offer a myriad of lifestyle products that suit different personalities. 

Featuring a 60m statement wall of red brick arches, The City of Arches has a wide range of books in different languages, exciting arts and literary activities, among others. The Floating City is designed to evoke memories of street fairs with a choice of local delicacies and lifestyle ideas. 

The City of Rippling Waves, inspired by shimmering sunlight dancing on waves, offers cultural creative designs and everyday life-style product. A brightly lit and minimalist corridor showcases fashionable trends in The City of Eternal Day. 

Books, Books, Books 

The bookstore covers 40% of the floor space, while the remaining space is shared equally between food and beverage (F&B) and creative retail outlets. 

There is something for everyone as visitors can peruse through a broad line-up of books, an intriguing range of creative and imaginary creations such as paintings by renowned global artists, designed goods and product brands, and artists’ exhibitions with a decent mix of culture from local and Taiwanese talents. 

In Taiwan, most of the books on sale are traditional Chinese books, but at the KL store, the range spans from Chinese, simplified Chinese, English, Malay to even Japanese books. 

Through its specially-curated segments known as Eslite Writing Boutique, Eslite Spectrum Expo, Eslite Bookstore, Eslite Forum Stage and Stationary, Eslite Children Section, Handmade Products and Artworks, a visit to the store is like diving into a space with boundless possibilities. 

The Eslite Writing Boutique, for example, is a special corner that offers unique stationery items from 36 countries. Its architectural design, set up and lighting make the boutique an Insta-worthy space for those looking for that next worthy shots. 

Meanwhile, Eslite Children is a section filled with interesting and educational books for the young ones. The dedicated reading materials and welcoming space allow the children to explore the world, encouraging their cognitive development. 

One outstanding feature of Eslite Spectrum KL is a unique urban literary trail that highlights 17 diverse authors from across the globe.

Also spotlighted are the cities that the authors are associated. 

Victor Hugo and Paris, Haruki Murakami and Tokyo, Eileen Chang and Shanghai, Pai Hsien-yung and Taipei, and Kuala Lumpur’s own A Samad Said are some of the authors featured. 

Coffee Fix, Fashion Galore

As you peruse the pages, you may want to experience a cup of Taiwanese specialty coffees, beverages and dishes at Eslite Spectrum KL’s in-house café “Come True Coffee”, which was founded by three world-class champion baristas from Taiwan. 

Other curated F&B offerings to entice you to visit perhaps after work or for a get-together with friends include Bean Brothers, Chun Yang Tea, JT Patisseria, V88 Starhill and more. 

 

Eslite Spectrum KL is a fashion haven too, with accessories and timeless collections from brands like Spirit Animal Co, Veesee Collections, AIR SPACE, WithLove.co and ZAoi. The bookstore aims to add more local brands’ physical stores in the future for variety and inclusion. 

For discerning make-up enthusiasts, you’ll find yourself spoiled with the LSY collection of professional make-up brushes, from a brand founded in 1917. The century-old craftsmanship, with its roots in ink-brush making, has evolved into acclaimed skin-friendly products for professional, impeccable make-up. 

24-Hour, Maybe 

Established in 1989 by the founding father Robert CY Wu, the debut of its first store in Taipei, Taiwan, originated from the idea to create a safe space for bibliophiles to enjoy reading, which eventually expanded to other neighbouring countries and integrated with more innovative concept and products. 

As the group expanded aggressively over the years, various modernisations were made to transform Eslite into a community type of store, an omni-channel platform which integrate online and offline for its lifestyle purchases, while celebrating diversity and culture. 

In 1999, Eslite evolved into a 24-hour bookstore to cater to night-time reading, offering a safe space for relaxation. This resulted in its bookstores becoming a sought-after spot for social performances and cultural activities, offering a higher quality lifestyle to its customers. 

Currently, there are no plans to open a 24-hour store in Malaysia, although that is something that Eslite Spectrum KL hopes to aspire to as its presence grows. 

For individuals looking for more unique offers, good news you may become an Eslite member and enjoy additional benefits such as prize redemptions, points awarded during your birthday and exclusive retail counter discounts. 

Given its strategic location in the middle of KL, its aesthetics as well as its exclusivity, Eslite Spectrum KL has a huge potential to win over the city folks and tourists as a favourite gathering spot. 

The store is definitely a must for bibliophiles and the curious to explore the books on sale and the colourful imaginations they inspire.

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• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition