Landlord hopes more pubs, better shops will draw after-office crowd
By
Tessa Wong
Plans are afoot to jazz things up at China Square Central by bringing in more entertainment outlets and brand-name retailers as well as upgrading the walkways and fountain square. Flea markets and night movie screenings are also on the cards. -- ST PHOTOS: SAMUEL HE
OFFICE workers in the business district can look forward to another after-work watering hole, with the $2 million revamp of China Square Central.
Landlord Straits Trading is promising, by year-end, an upmarket complex featuring more bars, live music pubs and shops, in the vein of Shanghai's famed lifestyle complex Xintiandi.
GOOD VIBES
'It has old-world charm, but also a modern-day feel.'
The latter is known for its hip mix of shops, restaurants and bars - all housed in converted old housing blocks called shikumen.
Bounded by Cross Street, China Street and South Bridge Road, the seven-year-old China Square Central consists of clusters of conserved shophouses and a 15-storey office block.
These now house a mix of mid-priced eateries, toy shops and budget-clothing stores spread over 100,000 sq ft of retail space. The tenants include Japanese restaurant chain Sushi Tei, coffee joint Spinelli's and Cold Storage supermarket.
Straits Trading hopes to jazz things up by getting entertainment outlets to make up a third of the tenants, roping in more brand-name retailers and upgrading the walkways and fountain square.
Planned crowd-pullers include charity events, flea markets and night movie screenings.
Straits Trading's executive vice-president Eric Teng said: 'It has old-world charm but also a modern-day feel. There is a lot of potential here.'
The revamp of China Square Central treads a path well-worn by other downtown conservation areas turned watering holes, such as Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Far East Square.
Mr Teng, however, is confident the complex will stand out.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
