Chinatown Point (above) now has a dome-shaped ceiling to let in more natural light. The mall is expected to become fully operational next year.
By Joyce Lim The Straits Times Sunday, Dec 02, 2012 - SINGAPORE - People working in the Central Business District have a new mall to flock to for a quick lunch or some shopping.
The once-dead Chinatown Point reopened yesterday, after it closed in October last year for a renovation that cost in excess of $90 million. Located at the junction of New Bridge Road
and Upper Cross Street, the 311,725 sq ft mall aims to target professionals, managers, executives and businessmen, followed by families and tourists. Even though only 20 of the more
than 200 shops were open on Thursday, the lunchtime crowd started pouring in by noon. Shops that were open included Rays Hair Salon, Samsung, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Sasa,
Eat At Taipei, Crocs, Sunglass Hut and McDonald's. Part of the mall has been carpeted to give it a lush feel, and a dome-shaped ceiling has been created to allow in more natural light.
Shoppers told The Straits Times that they have been waiting for the mall to reopen. Secretary Melissa Goh, 38, said: "Whenever I walked past the mall to get to my office every morning,
I would wonder when it would reopen. Everyone in my office is talking about it. "Chinatown is a very busy district, and we always feel that what we lack is a shopping mall. I still remember
how everyone was so excited when The Central opened a few years ago. But it's quite far for me to walk there as my lunchtime is strictly one hour."
