SINGAPORE – How can a 16-year-old mall stay top of mind for shoppers who have increasingly turned to e-commerce for their retail needs?
City Square Mall, off Kitchener Road near Farrer Park MRT station, is leaning into the idea of a mall as a third space outside the home and office or school.
A $50 million upgrade for the mall, which is owned and managed by City Developments Limited, began in September 2023. The idea was to use spatial upgrades to attract a new tenant mix.
A mall spokesman says: “We sought to create a space that extends beyond retail transactions, and which can be a vibrant ‘third place’ where the community can come together.”
The upgrade includes a new look for the atrium space that encompasses Levels 2 to 4. Parts of these levels were extended to create dynamic curves and layers, replacing what was previously a square and staid atrium.
The zones are occupied by new food and beverage tenants, such as sweets cafe Daydream Desserts and casual modern Australian restaurant The Fat Sparrow.
The mall’s F&B offerings have also been expanded. The foodcourt on Level 4 has been relocated to Basement 3. It has been replaced by Gastro Square – a 24,000 sq ft, more upscale food “neighbourhood”. Tenants include the first mall outlet of Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient and local zi char institution Kok Sen Restaurant.
