SINGAPORE \u2013 How can a 16-year-old mall stay top of mind for shoppers who have increasingly turned to e-commerce for their retail needs? <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
A mall spokesman says: \u201cWe sought to create a space that extends beyond retail transactions, and which can be a vibrant \u2018third place\u2019 where the community can come together.\u201d <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The zones are occupied by new food and beverage tenants, such as sweets cafe Daydream Desserts and casual modern Australian restaurant The Fat Sparrow. <\/p>\n
The mall\u2019s 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 It has been replaced by Gastro Square \u2013 a 24,000 sq ft, more upscale food \u201cneighbourhood\u201d. Tenants include the first mall outlet of Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient and local zi char institution Kok Sen Restaurant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The gross floor area at the renovated mall covers 730,000 sq ft. <\/p>\n
City Square Mall, which is already known for its suspended net playground attraction, Airzone, is also doubling down on offerings for all ages. <\/p>\n Gastro Square is an upscale food \u201cneighbourhood\u201d within the mall.<\/p>\n PHOTO: TA.LE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n One new tenant is Giggle Jungle by Yooland, an indoor playground with a jungle-themed adventure concept.\u00a0 <\/p>\n The CDL EcoTrain at City Square Mall.<\/p>\n PHOTO: CITY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The idea of a third space extends into the mall\u2019s outside area as well. Next to the mall playground is the CDL EcoTrain, a decommissioned SMRT train cabin that now functions as a climate education hub.\u00a0<\/p>\n It is not just a cool architectural feature. Interactive displays and exhibits also fill the interior, and the space hosts workshops and events around issues of climate and sustainability. <\/p>\n The CDL EcoTrain at City Square Mall has interactive displays and exhibits.<\/p>\n PHOTO: CITY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n These are co-created with Just Keep Thinking, Singapore\u2019s largest science, nature and sustainability social media platform, to engage all ages, especially children aged four and above.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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