“Ready to discover the vibrant history of Damansara Jaya?” I ask. This township in Petaling Jaya began as a strictly landed residential area in the 1970s. Damansara Jaya is also known as SS22.
The 1980s brought a surge in popularity to Damansara Jaya. This was due to the iconic Atria Shopping Centre. Atria was an important commercial center. However, the shopping centre was bought and dismantled.
Today, Atria Shopping Gallery has been rebuilt. It has regained its position as the central hub for businesses. Damansara Jaya offers shopping, dining, and entertainment. Its convenient location near Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya is a plus.
Damansara Jaya covers about 1.21 square kilometers. Its population is estimated at 12000 residents. The township has almost 2000 residential dwellings. These include terraced houses, semi-detached units, and bungalows. The main commercial area is centered around Atria Shopping Gallery.
In the mid-1970s, Paramount Garden developed Damansara Jaya. Initially, it was Section SS22 of Petaling Jaya. Later, Section SS22A was added with bungalows and semi-detached homes. Construction began in 1975. By 1978, the first residents settled into their new homes.
The Atria shopping complex opened in the mid-1980s. It featured department stores like Kimisawa and Printemps. In the late 1980s, the complex declined due to recession. Ownership changed several times.
In the early 2000s, Atria struggled against newer malls. Lien Hoe Corporation planned to redevelop the space. In 2007, OSK Property Holdings acquired Atria. They began a major redevelopment project. The original complex was demolished in 2011. The new Atria Shopping Gallery reopened in 2015.
Damansara Jaya is governed by the Petaling Jaya City Council. It is part of the Damansara federal constituency.
Commercial activity is concentrated in two areas. There is the Atria shopping complex and surrounding shop-lots. The shop-lots offer shops, eateries, and services.
The Atria has a four-level shopping complex and parking buildings. It originally included Kimisawa and Printemps department stores. Traffic congestion was common on weekends during sales promotions. The Piccadilly Disco was a popular spot for teenagers. However, the late 1980s recession led to closures.
In the early 2000s, Lien Hoe Corporation took control of Atria. Parkson Grand replaced Kimisawa. Later, Parkson Grand relocated to 1 Utama.
In March 2007, OSK Property Holdings bought Atria. The Atria was redeveloped and reopened in 2015.
Shoplots surround Atria. Older shops are behind Sri Nobel International School. Upmarket establishments include banks and restaurants. Traditional businesses include coffee shops and hardware stores.
Damansara Jaya also provides healthcare services. Thomson Hospital and KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital are nearby.
Several schools are located here. These include SMK Damansara Jaya and SK Damansara Jaya. Nobel International School opened on the former site of KDU College.
Public transportation is provided by RapidKL buses. These connect to the Kelana Jaya LRT line and the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT line. Damansara Jaya has access to expressways like the LDP and SPRINT.
The Damansara Jaya Residents and Owners Association was formed in 1994. It operates a community center.
The Buddhist Wisdom Centre and several churches are located in Damansara Jaya. Petaling Jaya’s only Hindu cemetery is also situated here.
Damansara Jaya is a township with a rich history and modern amenities. It is a great place to live and visit.