Raffles Hotel's retail arcade reopens with wider mix of tenants

Three-storey arcade now houses more than 30 retail, dining and lifestyle offerings

Mr Christian Westbeld, general manager of Raffles Hotel Singapore, and Mr Keith Tan Kean Loong, chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board, at the opening ceremony of the Raffles Arcade yesterday. The Raffles Boutique at the newly opened Raffles Arca
The Raffles Boutique at the newly opened Raffles Arcade in Raffles Hotel. About 70 per cent of the stores are open for business, while the rest will follow suit within the next three months. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Mr Christian Westbeld, general manager of Raffles Hotel Singapore, and Mr Keith Tan Kean Loong, chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board, at the opening ceremony of the Raffles Arcade yesterday. The Raffles Boutique at the newly opened Raffles Arca
Mr Christian Westbeld, general manager of Raffles Hotel Singapore, and Mr Keith Tan Kean Loong, chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board, at the opening ceremony of the Raffles Arcade yesterday. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

Raffles Hotel's shopping arcade re-opened its doors yesterday after renovation works, which began in 2017.

The three-storey arcade now boasts a wider range of tenants and event spaces, with more than 30 retail, dining and lifestyle offerings, including co-working space The Great Room, multi-label store The AC, luxury furniture label Minotti and restaurant Burger & Lobster.

Some returning tenants include luxury watch store The Hour Glass and German camera brand Leica. There is also a new Raffles Spa.

About 70 per cent of the stores are already open for business, while the rest, including Burger & Lobster, will open within the next three months.

The Jubilee Hall, a popular venue for plays and concerts in the 1990s, has been transformed into a ballroom that can seat 300 guests.

The 5,199 sq ft Jubilee Ballroom, decked in elegant hues of cream and gold, is billed as an ideal venue for weddings and galas.

Mr Christian Westbeld, general manager of Raffles Hotel Singapore, noted that the hotel was last renovated about 30 years ago.

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"So now to have something a lot more current and experiential is very timely. We want guests to be entertained," he said.

There will be fewer tenants than the 40 previously, as certain store spaces had been reassigned during the revamp, Mr Westbeld said.

For example, an area on the hotel's third level that previously housed the Raffles Museum, pineapple cake retailer SunnyHills and Tooth Matters Dental Surgery, has been converted into residence suites.

Some tenants are also taking up larger areas - such as The Great Room, which takes up 12 units.

About 90 per cent of the arcade has been rented out.

"The Raffles Arcade has always been a place for gathering and recreation and this continues to remain true for the refreshed property," Mr Westbeld said.

Ms Claire Chahil, 39, founder and creative director of multi-label fashion and lifestyle store The AC, said that being sited at the arcade is a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

She added: "We are very excited to be a part of the resurgence of such a famous building."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 12, 2019, with the headline Raffles Hotel's retail arcade reopens with wider mix of tenants. Subscribe