SINGAPORE - The Dempsey cluster of Tanglin Village will be redeveloped for retail and F&B use, with new businesses, including well-known multi-label boutique Dover Street Market, setting up shop there.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced on Tuesday (Dec 15) that the joint-tender for Blocks 17 and 18 of Dempsey Road has been awarded to COMO Lifestyle Pte Ltd.

COMO Lifestyle scored the highest among the six bids received.

According to the proposal, a new concept that will be known as "COMO Dempsey", will include retail concept store Dover Street Market, a specially conceptualised Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant and bar, and COMO Cuisine, a new restaurant concept that will offer signature dishes from the company's properties around the world.

It will also house local Peranakan restaurant, Candlenut, by Chef Malcolm Lee.

"The Dempsey cluster appeals to both locals and visitors because of its rustic character, diverse dining experiences and retail options. The agencies' intention for the tender was to rejuvenate and bring new and exciting concepts to Dempsey," said SLA's director of Land Operations (Private) Division Lee Seng Lai.

Ms Ranita Sundramoorthy, STB's director (attractions, dining and retail), added: "COMO Lifestyle Pte Ltd was awarded the tender based on its unique concept, proven track record in the F&B and retail industries, as well as its proposal to nurture emerging Singapore talents by providing practical internship opportunities at the world-class establishments it will situate in Dempsey."

The tender, which opened on Aug 13, is aimed at strengthening the former army barrack's position as a unique lifestyle enclave, as well as encourage the further development of interesting lifestyle concepts in Tanglin Village.

The SLA and STB had said then that the site may not be awarded to the operator that submits the highest bid price. Instead, the quality of the proposed concept will be a key factor in determining the winning bid.

The two blocks, which sit on a total of 5,268 sq m of land with a gross floor area of 3,086 sq m, and will be tendered out as a single unit.

Block 17 is vacant while Block 18 is tenanted by a deli-cum-butchery, a Korean restaurant and an antiques shop, which will vacate by early next year.