Singapore Completes Sin$40 million Orchard Road Rejuvenation

Singapore has completed the Sin$40 million  rejuvenation of Orchard Road.

Complemented by the shiny new facades of shopping malls such as Palais Renaissance, Paragon, Liat Towers and Centrepoint, shoppers are in for a rush of multisensory experiences as they enjoy the new Orchard Road complete with new international brands, a great range of F&B options as well as exciting events and entertainment.

Started in April 2008, the enhancement works, which covered the Tanglin, Orchard and Somerset zones, saw the repaving of the pedestrian malls and installation of co-ordinated street furniture.

Cheery flower totems have been installed in the Tanglin zone and new public spaces have been created with the urban green rooms fronting ION Orchard to Ngee Ann City.

Aside from new multi-functional lamp posts, Orchard Road now features tree uplighting that showcases the street’s characteristic lush greenery after sundown. Ambient lighting also highlights the sleek new glass panels along the Orchard Zone. The ones perpendicular to the pedestrian mall are etched with designs of tropical plants and flora, in line with this zone’s Forest theme while the ones parallel to the pedestrian mall showcase the history of Orchard Road.

“We are thankful for the co-operation and understanding received from all the Orchard Road stakeholders affected by this project. We were able to complete this demanding project in a compressed time-frame of 10 months only because of the strong collaboration between all parties who understood the need to maintain Orchard Road’s competitive position as Singapore’s premier shopping street,” said Mr Andrew Phua, Director of Tourism Shopping and Dining, Destination Experience, Singapore Tourism Board who noted that the precinct sees seven million tourists annually.

Private property owners, encouraged by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), also took the opportunity to refurbish their developments along Orchard Road. Cuppage Terrace, Palais Renaissance and Paragon have completed refurbishment of their facades while Mandarin Gallery and Park hotel will finish works by this year and 2010 respectively.

Existing malls like Ngee Ann City and Wisma Atria now feature new brands like Sephora as well as Nike’s largest flagship store in south east Asia to enhance the shopping experience. Three new malls – Orchard Central, ION Orchard and 313@Somerset - will open by the end of 2009, introducing new flagship stores and international brands.

The Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) is planning a series of events to promote and enhance one of Singapore’s most recognised icons – Orchard Road, kicking off with a launch event in May.

Also on the calendar, will be a privately organized Audi Fashion Festival and the Great Singapore Sale which is starting on 29 May this year.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Singapore, Orchard Road, Shopping