Glitzy Malls of Asia - Singapore

A new class of malls transforms shopping in Asia

An expanding middle class population, higher disposable incomes and rising sophistication of consumers in Asia are being matched by a new class of malls in key cities of Asia. Reports by Richard Seah and Tina Dumlao. 

High visibility at Orchard

Orchard Gateway is a case study on how to overcome limitations. Developed from the former Phoenix Hotel, it has a very narrow frontage along the busy Orchard Road shopping belt, which is not quite made up for by the very wide frontage along Somerset Road at the back.

So how is the mall to gain visibility? The developers solved the problem by acquiring another property, previously Orchard Emerald, diagonally across Orchard Road. They built two curved towers linked by a glass sky bridge – called The Tube – boldly labelled with acorporate logo that spells “Orchard Gateway”. And so, despite being a relatively small mall with 50-plus tenants mainly dedicated to fashion (but with home furnishings store Crate & Barrel as anchor), Gateway now commands probably the strongest visibility along all of Orchard.

Inside, the wow factor continues. Enter and you step onto a “fashion runway”, a 60m path clearly marked out by glass tiles lit from beneath. Along the runway, you might want to pause for a selfie with one of the many alien-looking fabric-wrapped mannequins by the side. Besides being decorative, the runway also serves as a problem-solving feature. It tells shoppers to keep within the mall, as just a few steps to the right or left would lead to neighbouring malls, Orchard Central and Somerset 313.

The three malls, now fully interconnected, form a glitzy cluster midway down Orchard Road. But of the three, Gateway stands out with other eye-catching features that include a six-storey high video wall beside the escalators, rest benches in the shape of bow ties and wrist-watches and a quiet balcony on Level 3 for those who yearn for some fresh air. Even the toilet entrances are photograph-worthy – although they make you pause for confirmation before entering.

FACT FILE

•   Opened April 2014

•   Owners: United Engineers Developments and Great Eastern Holdings

•   Architect: Tange & Associates

•   Space use: 172,000sqf retail; 37,000sqf offices; 500-room hotel

•   Key tenant: Crate & Barrel with 5-level flagship store

•   Other features: Level 4 dedicated to Men’s fashion; The National Library at levels 3 and 4. 

Classic Appeal at ION Orchard

ION Orchard has not lost its appeal despite being five years old, during which time about 20 other malls have either opened or re-opened after extensive refurbishments.

Its futuristic architecture, with wavy surfaces lit by LED lights in ever changing colours, has won several international awards and remains unbeatable. Once, a member of the public even wrote to the newspapers suggesting that trees be cut to afford a better view of this landmark at the start of the Orchard Road shopping belt.

The front façade, comprising flagship stores of luxury fashion brands Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier and Dolce & Gabbana, is equally stunning. Each has invested heavily in a unique frontage, unlike at other malls where they are restricted to flat surfaces.

Inside, ION’s iconic features do not tire. These include the walls and ceilings that give the illusion of huge fishes swimming on the other side, the 90m video wall that links to the Orchard Road MRT and the avant garde structure above the escalators leading to the Opera Foodcourt at Basement 4.

For a mall that ranks among the largest in Singapore, ION does not have a great many tenants. Most of the 400 tenants are in the four basement levels. From level one upwards, the focus is on size rather than numbers.

ION prides itself as a mall dedicated to art. It has a 5,600sqf art gallery on Level 4 while other open spaces, such as on Level 1 and Basement 4, are also frequently used for art exhibitions. Opera Gallery, an international art gallery, is a key tenant.

Another attraction is ION Sky, an observatory on the 55^th and 56^th floors. At 218m, this is the highest point on Orchard Road, with a 360º view of Singapore. It also features the celebrity chef restaurant Salt Grill and Sky Bar, which one food reviewer describes as “sexy”.

FACT FILE

•   Opened July 2009

•   Owners: CapitaLand and Sun Hung Kai Properties

•   Architect: Benoy and RSP Architects & Engineers

•   Space use: 622,793sqf retail; 175 residential units  

Suburban cool Star Vista

The Star Vista stands out among the many suburban malls that have sprung up across Singapore in recent years. This is more than a mall, with two-thirds of the building occupied by a performing artscentre that includes a 5,000-seater auditorium, which is the largest in Singapore and doubles up as a place of worship for The New Creation Church.

The architecture may look odd or even clumsy when viewed from certain angles, such as the approach from the Buona Vista MRT station. But from the front and other “correct” angles, it is a stunning ultra-modern structure with hints of an ancient Japanese temple.

The mall itself is relatively small, with about 110 shop units spread over two basement levels and two above ground levels. It is a “lifestyle” mall with a mix of fashion, Information Technology, home furnishings, supermarket, services and other goods and services. Food and beverage outlets take up more than half of the retail space.

Given its tenant mix, Star Vista obviously cannot match the luxury and class of malls along Orchard Road or within the Marina Bay Sands casino and integrated resort. But it has its share of appealing features – a 33m high grand foyer, a fountain playground where children could get wet, and a 200-seater amphitheatre that also serves as a “picnic ground” for families and friends.

Significantly, Star Vista is naturally cooled such that only the shop interiors are air-conditioned, but the mall itself isn’t. It stays comfortably cool by harnessing the natural airflow, with additional help from the fountain. Late night revelers chill out with extended hours of al fresco dining.

FACT FILE

•   Opened October 2012

•   Mall owner: CapitaMalls Asia

•   The Star Performing Arts Centre owner: Rock Productions (New Creation Church)

•   Architect: Andrew Bromberg of Aedas Architects

•   Space: 163,000sqf retail