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Singapore’s standing as one of Asia’s most popular cities for shopping, dining and entertainment has been reaffirmed with the completion of its S$40 million (£18 million) Orchard Road rejuvenation programme. Commenced in April 2008, the revitalisation scheme encompasses the installation of atmospheric street up-lighting, urban furniture and outdoor ‘green rooms’ for street events. This rejuvenation programme is part of Singapore’s long-term urban renewal plan where Orchard Road is being transformed into one of the world’s most spectacular boulevards with S$1.6 billion (£.7 billion) invested by the city’s private and public sectors.
Gleaming new facades of existing shopping malls house a variety of local and international brands and is just the beginning of this exciting new look. New retail space offering cutting edge shopping concepts will be added with the opening of three new malls in 2009, namely ION Orchard, Somerset Central and Orchard Central including a 218-metre tall skyscraper with a 360-degree public observation deck. Ambient illumination lights up sleek new glass panels each etched with themes of fruit, flowers and the forest or the history of Orchard Road itself. Floral totems have been installed and new public spaces have been created in the form of ‘green rooms’ – impromptu open-air stages for urban events.
Orchard Road, Singapore’s most popular free attraction and one of the world’s top shopping boulevards, is already firmly established as an international magnet for shopaholics and leisure visitors, attracting over seven million visitors each year with its dazzling range of quality products and services to suit all budgets, plus a host of dining options, themed events and entertainment. It is home to over 100 shops and boutiques. Several international labels have also opened new flagships in the area, including Cartier and Coach, luxury timepiece brands Franck Muller and Richard Mille, designer shoe icons Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo, jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels, and fashion labels Stella McCartney, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Banana Republic.
Boosting Singapore’s reputation as a shoppers’ paradise, the Great Singapore Sale annual event will be held this year from 29th May to 26th July with almost everything and anything on sale from bargains in IT, apparel and luxury goods, to spas, beauty treatments and tourist attractions (www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg). Augmenting this popular annual event is the recent launch of “2009 Reasons to Enjoy Singapore”; a campaign initiated by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) comprising local and global promotions and value-for-money offers aimed at boosting retail revenues and visitor arrivals to the city.
Says the STB’s Area Director for Northern and Western Europe, Divya Panickar: “STB has been working hard with industry partners to develop new initiatives and promotions throughout the year. This includes the Late Night Shopping initiative with participating malls offering visitors an enhanced shopping experience incorporating live music and outdoor performances on top of the special retail and food and beverage deals. More than ever, Orchard Road is a vibrant, trendy and exciting destination in its own right offering a diverse range of shopping options with activities and events to suit everyone.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
