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2009 has been a milestone year for Orchard Road, which has undergone dramatic renovations and revamping worth $40million for nearly half of its shopping centers. Three new malls are up; 313@Somerset, ION Orchard and Orchard Central. Orchard Road is probably the most popular and the most commonly heard of shopping district should anyone mention shopping in Singapore. It's central location also boosts its popularity as it does not take too long to travel there. Orchard Road offers many major departmental stores, movie theatres, eateries and famous hotels. World renowned hotels like Four Seasons Hotel, the Grand Hyatt, Marriott Hotel and Hilton International are located along the Orchard Road. Multiple shopping malls are found within this area as well.
One can get there by train (MRT), either alighting at Orchard or Somerset MRT. The Great Singapore Sale takes place annually around mid-July, when all Singapore fashionistas flock to malls for slashed prices by major retailers.
*New Update* Check out The Great Trolley, Orchard Road’s FREE Shuttle Bus Service. Click Here for more information!!
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Malls at a glance - alphabetical order (click to read about them!) [still in progress]
- 313@Somerset
- DFS Galleria
- Far East Plaza
- Forum The Shopping Mall
- Hilton Shopping Gallery
- Ion Orchard
- Lucky Plaza
- Mandarin Gallery
- Marina Square
- Ngee Ann City
- Orchard Central
- Orchard Point
- Palais Renaissance
- Paragon
- Plaza Singapura
- Raffles City
- Shaw House and Centre
- Tangs
- The Centrepoint
- The Heeren
- Wheelock Place
- Wisma Atria
313@Somerset
Nearest MRT Somerset (NS23)
The latest (and final addition for the year 2009) to the shopping belt is 313@Somerset, which opened on 3 December 2009. It features Japanese brand UNIQLO’s largest store in Southeast Asia, Spanish giant Zara, and a 4-storey Forever21 (American fashion merchant) among 174 other retail outlets. 3 unique dining precincts cater to the wide-ranging appetites and tastes of shoppers. There is still a place for music and book lovers here, with the HARRIS bookstore and HMV.
DFS Galleria
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
DFS caters to travelling shoppers on the hunt for luxury goods at a cheaper price. This is because DFS stands for duty-free shopping, which means that whatever you buy is not levied any charge or tax. It stocks brands such as Bottega Veneta, Bvlgari and Louis Vuitton. Usually DFS shops are located in the airport, however DFS Galleria can arrange to deliver your merchandise to the airport on your departure date.
Far East Plaza
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
Far East Plaza has proved to be very popular with students and adults on a tight budget. A visit here could amaze you with very cheap fashion ware, from working clothes to outrageous outifts. There are many small eateries, watch shops, and optical shops selling procucts at affordable prices as well. Get your shoe repaired, your feet massaged, your hair done, your clothes tailored or even your body pierced or tattooed.
Forum The Shopping Mall
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
The mega Toys "R" Us anchor store located here is a giant kids magnet! A wide range of childrens' clothing are featured here; Guess Kids, DKNY Kids, Kids 21, Blossom and Friends, The Little Gym, Twinkle Thinkers and much more. There are also a slew of creative learning, activity centres and educational material stores for children. The adults won't miss out either, with designer label stores like Song + Kelly 21, Calvin Klein and Max Mara being huge draws. This family-oriented mall boasts a unique mix of shops for the sophisticated shopper.
Hilton Shopping Gallery
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
The shopping arcade is located within the 5-star hotel, and houses branded boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Bulgari, Donna Karan and Dolce & Gabbana. Be delighted by an array of international luxury brands.
ION Orchard
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
Opened on 21 July 2009, ION boasts a futuristic glass façade which doubles as a canvas media wall made with cutting-edge technology. Inside, more than 90metres of LED walls emitting different colours and patterns on its light displays help to create a certain mood, especially for festive occasions. ION orchard also houses double-storey flagship stores of Prada, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and Cartier, covering nearly 9000 square feet of space. 21% of lettable space has been allocated for dining, with the introduction of new-to-market or new concepts in 60 out of the 125 dining stores. A cluster of fine dining restaurants are located on the 4th level, whereas casual dining is situated on the 2nd and 3rd levels.
Lucky Plaza
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
The stretch along lucky plaza has somewhat become a focal point for domestic filipino workers to gather every weekend. Naturally it stocks an array of products made in the Philippines. The mall is served by 26 two-way escalators and high-speed lifts, making every part of the mall accessible. It offers electronic products, fashion ware and health-care products. The upper levels include bars, nightspots and doctor's premises.
Mandarin Gallery
Nearest MRT Somerset (NS23)
A recent $200 million facelift in 2009 gave Mandarin Gallery a boost to become a high-end shopping and lifestyle destination. It features 6 flagship duplexes housing five upscale international fashion brands swathed in floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The facilities areas such as the lift core on each floor will be converted into cosy rest areas for shoppers. Each level of the mall features a different ceiling design, thereby creating different ambiences. 10 international fashion and F&B brands that are new to the local retail industry, or operating standalone stores for the first time in Singapore, made their debut at the new Mandarin Gallery.
Marina Square
Nearest MRT City Hall (EW14/NS26)
Named as one of the city's favourite brands by the Superbrands survey in 2009, Marina Square offers 700,000 sq ft of shopping space at the heart of the bay. Sashay your way through high street fashion boutiques such as Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, Mango, Zara and more. There is also access to other malls like Suntec City, Citylink Mall, Millenia Walk and the famous Esplanade theatres. 5-star hotels such as Marine Mandarin Singapore, The Oriental Singapore, Ritz Carlton Millennia and Conrad International Centennial Singapore are a stone's throw away.
Ngee Ann City
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
Being the largest shopping mall in Orchard Road, this seven storey building encompasses an enormous range of merchandise. Takashimaya Departmental Store is the anchor tenant here. From appliances to home decoratives to leather goods and footwear, you can find almost whatever you need in this mall. World renowned brands such as Tiffany & Co, Piaget, Cartier, Montblanc are also found here, among many others. Southeast Asia's second largest bookstore, Books Kinokuniya, is also located here. Civic Plaza, Ngee Ann City's main attraction, is a 3,000 sqm outdoor open semi-circular courtyard where all kinds of events are staged. Recently there was a Giant Louis Vuitton Trunk Display. Ngee Ann City was conferred the title of Best of Singapore 2007 Award - Shopping Centres.
Orchard Central
Nearest MRT Somerset (NS23)
Orchard Central is Singapore’s tallest vertical shopping mall, standing 12 storeys above the ground with 2 basement levels. Specialist Shopping Centre was demolished to make way for this new builiding. To feel on top of the world, pay a vist to the 24-hour public rooftop garden on the 11th and 12th floor, showcasing a series of 11 wire sculptures by a local artist. Dine amidst an urban oasis, providing the ultimate sky-high dining experience under the stars. The verandah on levels 7 and 8 offer a high vantage point for alfresco dining at an altitude. Don't forget to flash your passport at the Concierge for exclusive tourist privileges!
Orchard Point
Nearest MRT Somerset (NS23)
Dominated by local departmental store OG, Orchard point used to be an art gallery. A good range of moderately priced cosmetics, handbags, shoes, mens- and women's wear, and luggage is available. Also, if you're going somewhere where it's winter season, check out the wide range of winter wear. Look for special promotions of local designers on the 3rd level.
Palais Renaissance
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
Visit this mall for an exclusive shopping scene, as it houses one of the largest collections of designer boutiques including DKNY, Gianni Versace, Prada, The Link and Jim Thompson. It is mainly popular with expats and the wealthy locals. The glossy interior makes the mall a favourite hangout for well-off ladies who enjoy tea in cosy cafes like the Marmalade Pantry Cafe.
Paragon Shopping Centre
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
Paragon means a model of excellence or perfection and Paragon Shopping Centre is indeed a shopping mall which is of a particular excellence. Fronting the horizontal stretch of the shopping mall are luxury brands Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci and Prada. Paragon comprises a shopping podium and medical-cum-office tower block. For the young professionals and fashionistas, there are trendy diffusion brands like Miss Sixty, Calvin Klein Jeans, G-Star, Diesel, A|X Armani Exchange. Metro , a favourite departmental store among Singaporeans, is also located there. Paragon was awarded the Singapore Retailers Association Shopping Centre Scorecard 2009 - Outstanding Efforts in Advertising & Promotions.
Plaza Singapura
Nearest MRT Dhoby Ghaut (NS24)
Located next to the Istana (the president's residence), each floor of this shopping mall has its own theme, housing specialty outlets such as Best Denki, Spotlight, Yamaha Music Centre and BOSE speakers. It has undergone two revamps in 1998 and 2003, with the former being a total revamp and the latter with a new tenant mix. There is also a multi-storey Carrefour, stocking anything from wine to diapers. The top floor of Plaza Singapura houses one of the largest Golden Village movie complexes in Singapore, thus attracting movie-goers frequently.
Raffles City
Nearest MRT City Hall (EW14/NS26)
Designed by world-renowned architect, I M Pei, Raffles City stands alongside South East Asia's tallest hotel, Swissotel The Stamford. It links the tourist and shopping artery of Orchard Road with the commercial and financial area in and around Shenton Way. Shoppers will find the wide, spacious walkways refreshing. One of the mall's prominent highlights are its 3 water features - Ballo (dance in italian), Vitality and Momentun - that are fountain displays powered by water jets pulsating to a certain rhythm to form beautiful patterns.
Shaw House
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
Shaw House is prominently located at the intersection of Scotts Road and Paterson Road. Isetan, an established Japanese departmental store brand is its anchor tenant, whilst Shaw's flagship cinema, Lido Cineplex occupies the top floor and provides an ambience to catch the latest blockbusters. You could get a quick bite at one of the many fast-food outlets sharing the top floor. The basement level is a large supermarket, and stocks a wide array of Japanese brand foods as well as eateries. Shaw House is directly linked to Orchard MRT via an underpass.
Tangs
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
Located between Orchard and Scotts Road, CK Tang occupies 15,000 square meters of space and is one of the oldest homegrown departmental stores in Singapore. It celebrated its 77th anniversary in 2009. This building has five floors offering products ranging from Home Appliances and Beauty Care to Fashion ware for Men & Women. It has a cosmopolitan and urban environment, engaging shoppers with interesting, lifestyle-based retail concepts. Tangs is so successful that it has expanded its empire to Kuala Lumpur (The Pavilion). Check out its fabulous late night shopping deals valid from now till end of March.
The Centrepoint
Nearest MRT Somerset (NS23)
Marks and Spencer, Robinsons and Cold Storage supermarket are the anchor tenants in this mall, which was first established in 1858. There is a good mix of well known retailers and wide choice of quality merchandise stocked by 150 shops. Basement 1 to the fifth floor are retail and F & B outlets, while the sixth floor has education centres as well as the carpark. You won't be disappointed if you're looking for local furnishings in antique Indonesian, Chinese, and Peranakan styles. Some have large furniture pieces, from carved teak Indonesian style reproduction furniture to authentic pieces from mainland China.
The Heeren
Nearest MRT Somerset (NS23)
The main feature of The Heeren is its quirky, non-stereotypical merchandise, challenging conformality. They offer a variety of edgy merchandise – from funky to classic, streetwear to hipwear. Formerly a colonial building, The Heeren now houses mega music store, HMV, the largest music superstore in South East Asia. The restaurants on Level 5 offer an altitude dining experience, with a mouthwatering selection of Asian and Western cuisine from Japanese to Thai, while Bazaar: Gourmet Express is a dining concept for the basement level. Streets of Japan at Shokudo occupies a massive 12,000 square feet and its decor costs $5million! To soak in the prevalent coffee culture, Spinelli and n.y.d.c are outlets you might want to visit.
Wheelock Place
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
Its distinct cone shape with a glass facade easily marks out Wheelock Place along the bustling stretch that is Orchard Road. Marks & Spencer, the British chain, occupies two floors of this building. The second biggest US bookstore chain, Borders, offers broad catergories of books for the avid reader at the ground level. It also has merchandise such as CDs and materials for the artsy-fartsies. To get your hands on the latest Apple gadget, the official Singapore Apple Epic centre resides here as well. There is diverse selection of well-known eateries as well, such as Fish and Co, Sakae Sushi, and NYDC. However the main appeal of Wheelock Place is the non-franchised stores that have set up base there.
Wisma Atria
Nearest MRT Orchard (NS22)
With its trademark blue glass facade, this mall houses over 100 fashionable mid-to high-end specialty shops, fashion boutiques and trendy eateries. Among famous international brands are Bebe, FCUK, Karen Killen and Dorothy Perkins. The entire fourth floor is occupied by the biggest Sony Gallery and Food Republic, a food court selling hawker fare in a classy environment. The basement caters to youth with shops like Forever 21, while level 1 houses Isetan - a departmental store. Level 3 features active wear such as Nike Woman, Esprit, Tannlines and Surf Babe.
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