Centrepoint and ION Orchard best dressed for Christmas

The Centrepoint wins voters' choice with its gingerbread men, while Ion Orchard remains the judges' favourite

Ion Orchard (left) bagged the Judges' Choice Award with its 20m-tall Christmas tree adorned with more than 2,000 crystals, orbs and pearls, while eight malls including Tangs at Tang Plaza (above) received merit awards. The Centrepoint, with its life-
The Centrepoint, with its life-sized gingerbread men working up a storm in the pastry kitchen, was the voters' top pick in the Best Dressed Building Contest this year. PHOTOS: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Ion Orchard (left) bagged the Judges' Choice Award with its 20m-tall Christmas tree adorned with more than 2,000 crystals, orbs and pearls, while eight malls including Tangs at Tang Plaza (above) received merit awards. The Centrepoint, with its life-
Ion Orchard bagged the Judges' Choice Award with its 20m-tall Christmas tree adorned with more than 2,000 crystals, orbs and pearls, while eight malls including Tangs at Tang Plaza received merit awards. PHOTOS: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Ion Orchard (left) bagged the Judges' Choice Award with its 20m-tall Christmas tree adorned with more than 2,000 crystals, orbs and pearls, while eight malls including Tangs at Tang Plaza (above) received merit awards. The Centrepoint, with its life-
Ion Orchard bagged the Judges' Choice Award with its 20m-tall Christmas tree adorned with more than 2,000 crystals, orbs and pearls, while eight malls including Tangs at Tang Plaza received merit awards. PHOTOS: TIFFANY GOH FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

The Centrepoint and Ion Orchard are the best dressed buildings in Orchard Road for their Christmas decorations this year - going by the results of the Best Dressed Building Contest.

Ion Orchard - with its dazzling 20m-tall Tiffany tree adorned with more than 2,000 crystals, orbs and pearls - bagged the Judges' Choice Award. Visitors to the mall can also enter the Tiffany Box at the base of the Christmas tree and take photos against an attractive backdrop.

The Centrepoint, with its largerthan-life "show kitchen" manned by gingerbread men, was the voters' top pick, scoring about 5,300 out of some 29,800 votes. Other interesting features include a gumball glasshouse for visitors to climb into, a candy cane throne and a giant chocolate fountain.

The malls were judged for the day and night effects of their Christmas decorations as well as use of interactive features to create an engaging experience for shoppers.

Thanking contest participants, Mr Mark Shaw, chairman of the Orchard Road Business Association (Orba), said in an announcement of the results yesterday: "Orba hopes that visitors will not only enjoy the visual spectacle and fun activities along Orchard Road, but also help spread the joy this Christmas season."

Eight other malls received merit awards for their creative efforts - Forum The Shopping Mall, Orchard Central, orchardgateway, Paragon, Plaza Singapura, Tanglin Mall, Tangs at Tang Plaza and Wheelock Place.

The annual contest, organised by the association, saw 10 malls vying for the top two awards this year, compared with eight the previous year.

Ms Stephanie Ho, general manager of retail properties for Frasers Centrepoint Malls, which manages The Centrepoint, says every detail of its Christmas decorations this year "is about creating an experience that brings out the child in all of us".

"We brought to life highly Instagram-able and interactive decorations, including life-sized gingerbread men working up a storm in the pastry kitchen. This is our way of rewarding shoppers with fun and differentiated experiences each time they visit The Centrepoint," she says.

Mr Chris Chong, chief executive of Orchard Turn Developments, which manages Ion Orchard, says the group is "delighted to win the Judges' Choice Award". The mall won the same award last year.

Members of the public who voted for the best dressed building stand a chance to win $150 worth of shopping vouchers in a lucky draw. The 20 winners will be notified by post.

The contest is one of several highlights in the seven-week calendar for the association's Christmas On A Great Street - its line-up of festive events - this year. For the first time, Mastercard is teaming up with ComfortDelGro Taxis to knock $5 off all taxi fares to and from selected Orchard Road malls every weekend till Jan 2.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy their favourite Christmas carols, which will be piped through outdoor speakers lining the stretch from Ion Orchard to Ngee Ann City.

The association is holding a social media contest till Jan 2, encouraging visitors to Orchard Road to take photos of themselves on the shopping street. Two winners with the best photos and captions will win prizes of up to $250 each.

For more information, go to www.orchardroad.org/christmas

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 10, 2016, with the headline Centrepoint and ION Orchard best dressed for Christmas. Subscribe