Wild Singapore, http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2007/12/lavish-decorations-on-shopping-malls-in.html
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_CentrePoint
National Archives of Singapore, http://www.a2o.com.sg
Monday, July 25, 2011
Advocating for Conservation in Centrepoint
From the previous two posts that I have made, compare the difference between Centrepoint 20 years ago and now. From a popular family mall, to an upmarket shopping centre which is slowly being forgotten after the openings of various new shopping outlets along Orchard Road. Urban redevelopment has changed the image of the mall totally, when it underwent a major revamp in 2005 and reopening with its current look in 2006.
However, this revamp did not help to boost its popularity. By replacing the original stores with more upmarket brands targeted at higher-income patrons, it has totally lost its original significance of being a family mall. Also with the opening of various new shopping outlets, especially 313@Somerset opposite Centrepoint, many people are flocking to those places for weekend shopping and relaxation.
One more main attraction of Centrepoint back in the 90s is the annual Christmas decorations outside Robinsons. Centrepoint won the 'Best Decorated Building' in 1993 and 1994, and had gained much recognition for its Christmas decorations. Many people flocked to Centrepoint during the Christmas season in order to see the beautiful Christmas decorations. However after the competition was called off in 2002, Centrepoint has not been putting as much effort into the decorating of the building.
I feel that we should bring back the original feel of Centrepoint as much as possible to preserve the significance of the place and the memories of the people who have visited it before its revamp. In order to do so, I hope to bring back the tradition of having a competition in the decorating of the exterior of the building with Christmas decorations during every Christmas season, to let the older and younger generation alike relive the memories of seeing Centrepoint's Christmas decorations which it is known for. Also, I hope to bring back the original feel of Centrepoint by introducing some shops that do not only cater to higher-income families and also lower-income visitors as well, for example, by filling it with fast food shops and simple gift shops.
However, this revamp did not help to boost its popularity. By replacing the original stores with more upmarket brands targeted at higher-income patrons, it has totally lost its original significance of being a family mall. Also with the opening of various new shopping outlets, especially 313@Somerset opposite Centrepoint, many people are flocking to those places for weekend shopping and relaxation.
One more main attraction of Centrepoint back in the 90s is the annual Christmas decorations outside Robinsons. Centrepoint won the 'Best Decorated Building' in 1993 and 1994, and had gained much recognition for its Christmas decorations. Many people flocked to Centrepoint during the Christmas season in order to see the beautiful Christmas decorations. However after the competition was called off in 2002, Centrepoint has not been putting as much effort into the decorating of the building.
I feel that we should bring back the original feel of Centrepoint as much as possible to preserve the significance of the place and the memories of the people who have visited it before its revamp. In order to do so, I hope to bring back the tradition of having a competition in the decorating of the exterior of the building with Christmas decorations during every Christmas season, to let the older and younger generation alike relive the memories of seeing Centrepoint's Christmas decorations which it is known for. Also, I hope to bring back the original feel of Centrepoint by introducing some shops that do not only cater to higher-income families and also lower-income visitors as well, for example, by filling it with fast food shops and simple gift shops.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Centrepoint Now
I paid a visit to Centrepoint a week ago to feel the difference between Centrepoint 20 years ago and now. It sure has changed a lot. No more Macdonalds, no more gift shops, no more families with children running around. Centrepoint now has become a "posh" mall, like Ngee Ann City instead of the family mall image it had before. Branded, boutique and jewelry shops fill the mall now, obviously not targeted at the average family. There was even a Nikon camera show at the basement. Macdonalds also got "upgraded" to Starbucks Coffee. I've included some pictures I've snapped from the trip down, look at the difference in the atmosphere. A point to note is that I went down on a Sunday afternoon, hoping to find the weekend crowd at Centrepoint, but alas, the mall seemed deserted as compared to 313@Somerset opposite it.
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| Aldo and Mango, some examples of branded shops that now fill Centrepoint |
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| Marks & Spencer, note how empty the mall is |
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| Gramophone and Crystal Jade, more upmarket stores |
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| Times Bookstore, in Centrepoint since the 90s, something that still remains |
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| An overview shot of the interior of the mall |
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| RISIS, the jewelry outlet, Starbucks Coffee, and also the Nikon camera show |
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| There's even a new wing on Level 1, however if it's supposed to be attracting more people it doesn't seem like it's fulfilling its purpose. |
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| British India, another example of the branded shops |
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| Robinsons, which is the main highlight of Centrepoint |
The Old Centrepoint
I believe not many young people nowadays know about the old image of Centrepoint back in the 90s. Well to be quite honest, I didn't either, until my parents briefly talked about it in a conversation we had quite some time ago. To them, Centrepoint was a place that they frequented in the weekends, a family mall which was packed with shoppers on the weekends. Families could rest at Macdonalds over at the mall, which was frequently filled with shoppers who wanted to rest or grab a bite, and a variety of shops selling many different things made up the shopping mall.
Also, Centrepoint was extremely famous for its beautiful award-winning Christmas decorations annually, winning the title of 'Best Decorated Building' organised by The Tourism Boad for two years consecutively and earning a reputation of having the best Christmas decorations as well.
Wanting to get a feel of the atmosphere then, I went to the National Archives of Singapore to check if they had any records of Centrepoint in the 90s. There are a few photos of the mall back in the early 90s which give a rough idea of what it was like back then, however due to copyright issues I can't publish them here so for anyone that's interested please go and take a look at the collections of photos there. Of course, you don't have to go down specially for that, just head over to their online gallery (http://www.a2o.com.sg) and type in Centrepoint 1990-2000 in the time frame, select photographs and enjoy!
Also, Centrepoint was extremely famous for its beautiful award-winning Christmas decorations annually, winning the title of 'Best Decorated Building' organised by The Tourism Boad for two years consecutively and earning a reputation of having the best Christmas decorations as well.
Wanting to get a feel of the atmosphere then, I went to the National Archives of Singapore to check if they had any records of Centrepoint in the 90s. There are a few photos of the mall back in the early 90s which give a rough idea of what it was like back then, however due to copyright issues I can't publish them here so for anyone that's interested please go and take a look at the collections of photos there. Of course, you don't have to go down specially for that, just head over to their online gallery (http://www.a2o.com.sg) and type in Centrepoint 1990-2000 in the time frame, select photographs and enjoy!
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