Small lifestyle malls spice up Singapore's local retail scene

Sounds like good news to posh Singaporean shoppers, eh?

According to Savills Research, an increasing number of smallish lifestyle malls is adding diversity to the local retail scene. In Bukit Timah, the former Turf City is being refurbished and renamed The Grandstand. TungLok Group, which has made a commitment to lease more than 10,000 sq ft of space, will launch two new-to-market concepts in the mall. Ristorante Da Valentino will also occupy more than 10,000 sq ft of space.

With the revamp, around 40% of the tenant mix will be F&B, 20% retail, 15% childrenrelated businesses, 10% sports, 10% hypermarket and the rest will be health and wellness concepts. In the vicinity, there are plans to transform the former Bukit Timah Fire Station into a lifestyle hub housing enrichment schools, retail stores and F&B outlets.

The newly-completed Greenwich V is another example. The 45,000-sq ft village-like mall at Seletar Hills houses an array of F&B outlets with generous alfresco space, as well as lifestyle stores. Separately, Far East Organization is planning a 55,500-sq ft mall in Upper Bukit Timah called HillV2, to be integrated with its residential project The Hillier. The project’s architecture will be styled to evoke the feel of New York and London, while the mall’s F&B and retail offerings will cater to the wealthy residents of Bukit Timah. Among its tenants will be upscale grocery chain Dean & Deluca.