Central Area

The Central Area stands as Singapore’s dynamic city centre – home to a global business and financial hub, and a vibrant 24/7 lifestyle destination.
The area will continue to grow and become even more vibrant, by accommodating a wider diversity of uses and offering more jobs and business opportunities for the future economy. More city living options nearer to amenities are planned too, with delightful streets and public spaces that celebrate its rich cultural, heritage and green assets.
 

Bring Back the Orchard

Orchard Road can be enhanced as an urban green corridor with lush planting and new green spaces, to remind us of the street’s heritage while creating a memorable visitor experience and distinct precinct identity.

 

A Green Urban Corridor

Today, Orchard Road is lined with trees that give the boulevard its lush green character. This reminds us of the street’s origin as a road lined with nutmeg and clove plantations as well as fruit orchards.

To strengthen Orchard Road’s attractiveness as a highly walkable urban corridor between the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Fort Canning Park, one possibility is to introduce curated displays of vibrant tree and shrub planting along Orchard Road that depict the colours of the tropics.

New flowering trees and shrubs can also be introduced progressively to add colour and vibrancy to the street. This will be curated to create visual impact and strengthen the identity of the different precincts, thereby evoking a sense of journey befitting Singapore’s reputation as a City in a Garden.

 

A Green Oasis in the City

The existing green open spaces above Dhoby Ghaut MRT station provide respite from the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road. The large mature trees, wide open spaces and pleasant shade stand in contrast with the surrounding hotels and shopping malls. 

There is potential to enhance the connections between these open spaces to create a continuous green oasis comprising Istana Park, Dhoby Ghaut Green and Plaza Singapura. One possibility is to pedestrianise the section of Orchard Road at this location. This will allow us to link up existing green spaces with the surrounding developments, and open up more spaces for activities in the area. 

Above Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, it is possible to introduce new family-friendly features and play areas for children within a lushly landscaped setting. A new sheltered event space will allow for a variety of public events to take place. These will add to the appeal of Orchard Road as a vibrant destination for families. We can also rejuvenate Istana Park with themed gardens inspired by the botanical and horticultural traditions and practices seen throughout Singapore’s history. 

A. Inclusive Playground at Dhoby Ghaut Green

A family-friendly play area within a pocket park with lush greenery for children of all abilities to explore and learn about nature in a fun manner.

(Artist Impression © NParks)

B. New Water-Play Features at Dhoby Ghaut Green

The water play features can reflect the original alignment of the Stamford Canal before it was redirected and allow children to interact with various water elements set within a lush park setting.

( Artist Impression © NParks)

C. New Sheltered Events Space at Dhoby Ghaut Green

The all-weather activity lawn with a canopy can serve as a flexible events space to host various events from F&B festivals to fashion shows.

(Artist Impression © NParks)

D. New Park Entrance @ Dhoby Ghaut Green

Dhoby Ghaut Green is envisioned as attractive and family-friendly, fronting the former Park Mall and linking to Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station.

(Artist Impression © NParks)

The Lifestyle Destination

Different precincts and side streets along Orchard Road can be strengthened and differentiated with the injection of innovative and unique non-retail offerings. There will be something for everyone on Orchard Road.

 

One Precinct, Many Experiences

Orchard Road is more than just a shopping street. Each of the sub-precincts, namely Tanglin, Orchard, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut, stitched together by Orchard Road, has a different personality. There are opportunities to introduce new retail concepts, lifestyle attractions and events to enhance the unique experience of each sub-precinct.

A Street of Discovery

Orchard Road is well known for its tree-lined boulevard, but there are also many interesting streets and lanes branching out from the main road that offer a sense of discovery to the Orchard Road experience. Historic side streets like Emerald Hill and Cuppage Terrace can be enhanced; streets like Killiney Road and Orchard Turn can be activated to improve connectivity to the surrounding residential areas, and new lifestyle uses introduced off the main street.

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1. New lifestyle experience at Tanglin

The conserved Tudor Court can house a greater diversity of uses, including arts and cultural offerings. The covered canal behind can be turned into an attractive courtyard space enlivened with public art and outdoor dining, making it a focal area for local residents and hotel guests. 

2. New vantage point at Orchard/Paterson Road Junction

Elevated link-bridges can make it easier to cross the junction of Orchard and Paterson Roads, and provide opportunities to take the picture-perfect shot of Orchard Road.

3. New mixed-use developments at Orchard Interchange

The vacant State Land parcels at Orchard Boulevard present opportunities for exciting mixed-use developments above the upcoming Thomson-East Coast Line Orchard Interchange MRT, which can also be connected to Orchard Road via bustling side streets.

4. New event space at Somerset

The car park at Grange Road has hosted retail and F&B events like Flashbang. With rapid evolving trends and demand for more events, the car park can be transformed into a dedicated events space with dining and entertainment use to form a cluster of lifestyle offerings with the Design Orchard showcase across the street. They can also be linked by sculptural canopies to create a signature node on Orchard Road.

5. New Lifestyle Uses @ Somerset

We can work with the stakeholders to enhance the connectivity across buildings and introduce more lifestyle uses in this area.

AMO Residence