<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Cheers to new-look China Sq Central
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Landlord hopes more pubs, better shops will draw after-office crowd </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Tessa Wong
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Plans are afoot to jazz things up at China Square Central by bringing in more entertainment outlets and brand-name retailers as well as upgrading the walkways and fountain square. Flea markets and night movie screenings are also on the cards. -- ST PHOTOS: SAMUEL HE
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->OFFICE workers in the business district can look forward to another after-work watering hole, with the $2 million revamp of China Square Central.
Landlord Straits Trading is promising, by year-end, an upmarket complex featuring more bars, live music pubs and shops, in the vein of Shanghai's famed lifestyle complex Xintiandi.
<TABLE width=200 align=left valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD class=padr8><!-- Vodcast --><!-- Background Story --><STYLE type=text/css> #related .quote {background-color:#E7F7FF; padding:8px;margin:0px 0px 5px 0px;} #related .quote .headline {font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:10px;font-weight:bold; border-bottom:3px double #007BFF; color:#036; text-transform:uppercase; padding-bottom:5px;} #related .quote .text {font-size:11px;color:#036;padding:5px 0px;} </STYLE>GOOD VIBES
'It has old-world charm, but also a modern-day feel.'
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The latter is known for its hip mix of shops, restaurants and bars - all housed in converted old housing blocks called shikumen.
Bounded by Cross Street, China Street and South Bridge Road, the seven-year-old China Square Central consists of clusters of conserved shophouses and a 15-storey office block.
These now house a mix of mid-priced eateries, toy shops and budget-clothing stores spread over 100,000 sq ft of retail space. The tenants include Japanese restaurant chain Sushi Tei, coffee joint Spinelli's and Cold Storage supermarket.
Straits Trading hopes to jazz things up by getting entertainment outlets to make up a third of the tenants, roping in more brand-name retailers and upgrading the walkways and fountain square.
Planned crowd-pullers include charity events, flea markets and night movie screenings.
Straits Trading's executive vice-president Eric Teng said: 'It has old-world charm but also a modern-day feel. There is a lot of potential here.'
The revamp of China Square Central treads a path well-worn by other downtown conservation areas turned watering holes, such as Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Far East Square.
Mr Teng, however, is confident the complex will stand out.
'Boat Quay and Clarke Quay don't really offer shopping, but we will. We are also situated at the crossroads of the financial area, Marina Bay and Chinatown, which will attract both office workers and tourists,' he said.
Real estate expert Danny Yeo, the managing director of Knight Frank, agreed.
'The area is quite charming with its old shophouses, much like Xintiandi, which has a strong character feel,' he said.
Bringing in big names and big anchor tenants will be crucial, he added. 'The whole downtown has many exciting things, so there is a lot of competition. But if done well, this can give the area an extra flavour.'
Those working in the vicinity have given the plan the thumbs-up.
Mr Aron Cheong, whose office is in Far East Square, said he usually has after-work drinks and dinner in Orchard Road or Dhoby Ghaut as the area around his office lacks buzz in the evening.
The 26-year-old consultant said: 'By 4pm, this area gets really quiet, and in the evening, the office crowd just goes straight home. The revamp sounds interesting, and I hope to see more places to chill out after work.' [email protected]
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Landlord hopes more pubs, better shops will draw after-office crowd </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Tessa Wong
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
Plans are afoot to jazz things up at China Square Central by bringing in more entertainment outlets and brand-name retailers as well as upgrading the walkways and fountain square. Flea markets and night movie screenings are also on the cards. -- ST PHOTOS: SAMUEL HE
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->OFFICE workers in the business district can look forward to another after-work watering hole, with the $2 million revamp of China Square Central.
Landlord Straits Trading is promising, by year-end, an upmarket complex featuring more bars, live music pubs and shops, in the vein of Shanghai's famed lifestyle complex Xintiandi.
<TABLE width=200 align=left valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD class=padr8><!-- Vodcast --><!-- Background Story --><STYLE type=text/css> #related .quote {background-color:#E7F7FF; padding:8px;margin:0px 0px 5px 0px;} #related .quote .headline {font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:10px;font-weight:bold; border-bottom:3px double #007BFF; color:#036; text-transform:uppercase; padding-bottom:5px;} #related .quote .text {font-size:11px;color:#036;padding:5px 0px;} </STYLE>GOOD VIBES
'It has old-world charm, but also a modern-day feel.'
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The latter is known for its hip mix of shops, restaurants and bars - all housed in converted old housing blocks called shikumen.
Bounded by Cross Street, China Street and South Bridge Road, the seven-year-old China Square Central consists of clusters of conserved shophouses and a 15-storey office block.
These now house a mix of mid-priced eateries, toy shops and budget-clothing stores spread over 100,000 sq ft of retail space. The tenants include Japanese restaurant chain Sushi Tei, coffee joint Spinelli's and Cold Storage supermarket.
Straits Trading hopes to jazz things up by getting entertainment outlets to make up a third of the tenants, roping in more brand-name retailers and upgrading the walkways and fountain square.
Planned crowd-pullers include charity events, flea markets and night movie screenings.
Straits Trading's executive vice-president Eric Teng said: 'It has old-world charm but also a modern-day feel. There is a lot of potential here.'
The revamp of China Square Central treads a path well-worn by other downtown conservation areas turned watering holes, such as Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Far East Square.
Mr Teng, however, is confident the complex will stand out.
'Boat Quay and Clarke Quay don't really offer shopping, but we will. We are also situated at the crossroads of the financial area, Marina Bay and Chinatown, which will attract both office workers and tourists,' he said.
Real estate expert Danny Yeo, the managing director of Knight Frank, agreed.
'The area is quite charming with its old shophouses, much like Xintiandi, which has a strong character feel,' he said.
Bringing in big names and big anchor tenants will be crucial, he added. 'The whole downtown has many exciting things, so there is a lot of competition. But if done well, this can give the area an extra flavour.'
Those working in the vicinity have given the plan the thumbs-up.
Mr Aron Cheong, whose office is in Far East Square, said he usually has after-work drinks and dinner in Orchard Road or Dhoby Ghaut as the area around his office lacks buzz in the evening.
The 26-year-old consultant said: 'By 4pm, this area gets really quiet, and in the evening, the office crowd just goes straight home. The revamp sounds interesting, and I hope to see more places to chill out after work.' [email protected]
