SINGAPORE: Across the road from the Prison Link Centre in Changi is a gleaming three-storey building with a modern red and grey facade, sporting elongated, tinted windows that add to its sleek design.
But look into the [email protected] mall, located at the junction of Upper Changi Road North and Mariam Way, and you will see there is nothing inside.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The road leading to the mall's car park is lined with red cones. The front doors say "welcome" but are locked shut. A SafeEntry sign is taped on, anticipating an opening that has yet to take place.
The entrance to the mall. (Photo: Aqil Haziq Mahmud)
The mall was granted a Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) in December last year, its developer Fortune Assets Changi said on Friday (Sep 11) in response to queries from CNA.
But the mall has struggled to attract tenants because of planning restrictions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Retail sales in Singapore plunged 40.5 per cent year-on-year in April as the coronavirus and "circuit breaker" measures shuttered non-essential businesses.
"Leasing of the retail spaces was affected by the pandemic with the circuit breaker measures implemented in April," Fortune Assets Changi director Keev Tan said.
"Additionally, the planning guidelines restricted certain desired trades, such as cafes and restaurants, which are essential for the mall to draw traffic."
The entrance to the mall's car park has been blocked off. (Photo: Aqil Haziq Mahmud)
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in February rejected the developer's request to turn six shop units on the first and second floor into restaurants.
"The proposed restaurants cannot be allowed, as stated in planning condition (f) of the Written Permission, to safeguard the amenities of the surrounding residents," the URA said in a document seen by CNA.
According to the latest planning conditions issued in March 2019, URA said the mall was not allowed have restaurants, bars, health centres or nightclubs.
RESIDENTS PERPLEXED
One resident who lives in a private estate nearby said she was looking forward to the convenience of a mall for her shopping needs.
"I don't know what happened," said the 63-year-old who only wanted to be known as Ms Esther. "Maybe CORead More – Source
