The Surabaya City Government (Pemkot) is preparing to open a new chapter for the former Hi-Tech Mall (THR) area, which has now been transformed into the Surabaya Expo Center (SUBEC). To mark the start of the area's operations, the Surabaya City Government has scheduled a soft launching event on July 5, 2026, which will be enlivened by a performance by top singer Denny Caknan.
This event is designed as a people's feast open to all levels of society for free. The Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi, explained that this step was taken to revive the area as a collaborative space for MSME actors, the younger generation, creative communities, and the general public. For the initial phase, public access will focus on the basement and ground floor areas, which are now occupied by various culinary tenants and automotive communities.
The development of the SUBEC area does not stop with this launch. The Surabaya City Government has planned the addition of supporting facilities, including a 3,500-square-meter convention hall targeted for completion in August 2026. In the future, the first to third floors will function as an innovation hub that includes e-sports facilities, racing simulators, art stages, and creative talent development spaces for students.
The Head of the Surabaya City Culture, Youth, Sports, and Tourism Department (Disbudporapar), Herry Purwadi, added that this celebration was deliberately packaged to provide a new experience for visitors. In addition to musical entertainment, the SUBEC area will be activated through community exhibitions and acoustic performances throughout the day. Through this initiative, the Surabaya City Government is optimistic that the former Hi-Tech Mall area will become a new epicenter for creative economic growth as well as a prestigious venue for the works of the nation's children in the City of Heroes.
