Just checked out both recently and they were really nice.
I'm sure 1st Avenue Mall won't be another Times Square as the former sees almost 100% occupancy. The building itself is also of much more higher quality than Prangin Mall or even Gurney Plaza. If you visit their multi-storey car park, you will be impressed as you can't find anywhere else in Penang to have its car park flooor coloured for space definition purpose, new design of signages and electronic display of car park lots available.
Straits Quay has a nice ambience. It is another place to relax with few glasses of beer while overlooking the marina and seaside promenade. Most of the shoplots are still undergoing renovation but some have already been open last week. Two Irish bars were spotted. Royal Selangor Pewter also has a gallery and visitor centre there.
