Next change - Cathay to become retail complex

THE historic Cathay building and cinema off Orchard Road will turn into a new retail-cum-residential and entertainment complex by the end of 2005.

And all that will be left of the gazetted national monument - which is now being demolished - will be its brown-tiled facade.

Constructed in 1939 by the late film mogul, Mr Loke Wan Tho, the 17-storey 'skyscraper' was one of South-east Asia's tallest buildings in the 1940s.

Japanese forces took over the building in World War II and used it as a radio station for Japanese-language transmissions.

The cinema was popular with movie-goers for more than 60 years until it was closed in 2000.

During a recent visit, The Straits Times team saw cranes pounding down walls on the upper floors of the building and workmen piling the rubble onto dump trucks for disposal.

The building's $100-million redevelopment will see the rise of a new 15-storey complex consisting of offices, apartments, cinemas and retail space, said sources.

Ms Carolyn Fang, 29, who used to work in the cinema as an intern, said: 'This building is memorable to many Singaporeans and I'm quite sad that it has to go. I hope the next building will turn out even better.'

At least the facade is still preserved!

Malaysia's Cathay was demolished after a fire and Pavillion (the nation's largest cinema was torn down in 2000 (I wasn't informed therefore no pictures were taken by me! :( ). There are so many historical buildings which were torn down recently and I seriously think that these buildings should be given a new lease of life.

BTW movie mogul Mr. Loke Wan Tho's father - Mr. Loke Yew is the person whom introduces my family to Malaysia (then Malaya).He's a very rich entrepreneur and owns Malaysia's first house to have electricity. The mansion is still standing downtown and it is now known as The Loke Mansion. :)

Interesting development. There's alot of history attatched to that 17 storey tower and its good to hear it will be preserved.

Some old pictures of Cathay Building.
I used to go there for movies and they had a KFC outlet that closed at 4 am:cool:

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300untitledctb.jpg
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300ctb19421.jpg

Posted by RC
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300raffles_place1.jpg
Cathay is on the left

It should be saved as it is now ! :mad2:

I agree. Why demolish a somewhat historic 65 year old 17 storey building and build a 15 storey replacement in its place?

I'm sure a fancy renovation would have made it quite nice.

I agree
Old valuable memories can't be replaced new one simply

Originally posted by dumatod

I agree
Old valuable memories can't be replaced new one simply Well, at least the building will not be completely destroyed, but given a new lease of life? Afterall that might be more important then to let an old building fade into obsolecence! ;)

A tribute to the Cathay Building.

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300ctb19421.jpg
The Art Deco Cathay Building ,designed by Frank Wilmin Brewer for Associated Threatres ,later Cathay Cinemas.The 17 storey building held 32 luxury apartments which housed the rich and famous ,including the building's owner Dato Loke Wan Tho and his mother.The building's 4 storey podium held Singapore's first air-conditioned cinema.The lavish Orient themed Cathay Restaurant occupied the forth floor.The were 4 antennae on the building ,owned by Radio Malaya.

The Cathay Building was the tallest building in South-East Asia and the first highrise in Singapore.

It was officially opened with much pomp and fanfare on 3rd October 1939 by Loke Wan Tho ,costing at that time , £1 million.
Opening premiere featured Sir Alexander Korda's "The Four Feathers".

Only 2 years later ,Singapore was in the shadow of war.As the Japanese bombed Singapore ,many civillians sought shelter in the Cathay Cinema.While others gathered outside for the latest news on the approaching war.Meanwhile ,British troops kept surveillance from the building's setback for bomb raids and approaching Japanese troops.Even when chaos is about ,staff kept to the schedule of screening movies.The cinema was also a temporary Red Cross casualty hospital.The last movie screened on 15 Febuary 1942 ,the day when the British surrendered.The Japanese flag was flown on the building's flagpole that day.

During the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese Broadcasting Department, the Military Propaganda Department and Military Information Bureau were housed in the building but the cinema "continued its business under the name of Dai Toa Gekkyo.Propoganda radio broadcasts were broadcasted from the antennae.


When the Japanese surrendered ,the building was vacated and Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten.Important military and civilian meetings were carried out in the building.

The Cathay Cinema screened its first post-war movie "The Tunisan Victory" on 23 September 1945 ,less than a week after the Japanese surrendered.In November 1946 ,Mountbatten returned the building to Cathay.

The Cathay Cinema enjoyed gaiety and fame.In its golden era in the 1960s people queued for hours to catch movies.

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300hd.jpg
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300cathay5.jpg

Massive advertisement panels for movies were placed on the building's setback

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300untitledctb.jpg

1954 ,the 60-room Cathay Hotel opened in the building, and expanded to 170 rooms later.
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980005860-8120-3181-2493/img0064.jpg

In the early 1970s ,the Cathay Hotel closed down due to a fall in the hotel market.It was reverted into offices.
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300cathay1.jpg

In 1978 ,the building was reclad by STS Leong.The top 2 penthouse floors were windowless after the reclad.
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/3001885.jpg
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300cathay4.jpg

An additional cinema ,The Picturehouse was added beside the building in the 1980s.

In 1992 ,the single-screen Cathay Cinema was converted to double-screen.In 1996 ,it was furthur converted to triple-screen.

Then on 30 June 2000 ,the 61 year old cinema screened its last show.It was then abandoned.In December 2002 ,it was announced that it had to make way for a new shopping/office complex.On Janurary 2003 ,it was gazzetted as a National Monument ,preserving the podium façade

Demolition started in April 2003.
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300cbd1.jpg
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300cbd2.jpg
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300cbdpb1.jpg
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300qwscd.jpg

Farewell ,old man!:cry: :cry: :cry:

Your thread is rather depressing do you know that? :rant: ;)

While I wasnt desperately attached to the Cathay building, I did have some memories there like catching movies and that stretch of Orchard Road in general always felt different. They also had a KFC outlet that closed at 4 am. I heard the houses behind it were haunted.

It was quite shocking to hear it go.

it was mentioned in today's news that it will be a 17 storey building called "The Cathay Building" and will be for residential and commercial use?

Anyway, Redstone, you mind if we merge this with the other thread about Cathay? Otherwise its kinda hard to find related information! The thread title might be retitled as simply "Cathay Building: then and now"?

Any objections feel free to voice it out! ;) This is just part and parcel of an attempt to keep out section well organised and not spread out over too many pages, since the back pages are hardly visited. ;)

Originally posted by huaiwei

it was mentioned in today's news that it will be a 17 storey building called "The Cathay Building" and will be for residential and commercial use?

Anyway, Redstone, you mind if we merge this with the other thread about Cathay? Otherwise its kinda hard to find related information! The thread title might be retitled as simply "Cathay Building: then and now"?

Any objections feel free to voice it out! ;) This is just part and parcel of an attempt to keep out section well organised and not spread out over too many pages, since the back pages are hardly visited. ;)

Okay with me!;)
Btw ,I've never been to the Cathay before.
I'm not emotionaly attached to it.I just think it's rather disappointing.:(

It's really sad, I would rather they just refubish it, like High Street Centre. But what's done is done...

Yah ,they could just reclad it again.

Originally posted by redstone

Yah ,they could just reclad it again. It does seem rather strange when you demolish a building and recplace it with a smilar sized one? Makes me wonder if the older building was structurally unsound or something?

'Cos they want a bigger ,better cinema and create a more 'young' look.

Originally posted by redstone

'Cos they want a bigger ,better cinema and create a more 'young' look. Young look? Well..if recladding can do the job...why not? And its not as thou modern technology cant fit into old shells! Oh well.....

Sad to see the old Cathay Cinema go.. But, at least they had the courtesy to keep the front facade. :)

Just hope that the new building to replace it will be good.. Not like the SOM box that will replace Pidemco Centre. :bash:

Actually...I have never been to the Cathay Cinema....I dunt give two hoots about it, and other then that fact that the building itself was an engineering marvel and served various important functions, it is architecturally a disgust to me!! :bash: ;)

Originally posted by huaiwei

Actually...I have never been to the Cathay Cinema....I dunt give two hoots about it, and other then that fact that the building itself was an engineering marvel and served various important functions, it is architecturally a disgust to me!! :bash: ;)

I think you gonna make redstone cry:colgate:

Originally posted by RafflesCity

I think you gonna make redstone cry:colgate: Haha....I am just being honest. ;)

I think they should have not reclad it in the brown tiles.

Originally posted by huaiwei

Actually...I have never been to the Cathay Cinema....I dunt give two hoots about it, and other then that fact that the building itself was an engineering marvel and served various important functions, it is architecturally a disgust to me!! :bash: ;)

Frankly I don't see what's so speical about it too.. I gues it's becos Singaporeans are nogalostic. (sp?)

Actually the CPF Building looks like a stretched version of Cathay;)

Talking about nolstalgic Singaporeans....this case reminds me of the National Library uproar...

A picture of the Cathay Building.

SUBASH CHANDRA BOSE TAKING SALUTE FROM INDIAN NATIONAL ARMY TROOPS IN FRONT OF THE CATHAY BUILDING,SINGAPORE, 1943

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980005770-8106-3181-7857/img0052.jpg

This is all that is left of the Cathay Building. This piece will be integrated with the new building.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103cathay.jpg

Makes me wonder where in the world did you manage to find that picture! ;)

Originally posted by huaiwei

Makes me wonder where in the world did you manage to find that picture! ;)

:rofl:

Straits Times lor! Do they publish it in the paper version?

Originally posted by RafflesCity

Straits Times lor! Do they publish it in the paper version? How come I dont see to see it there? Think I missed that particular article!!

the site still looks the same when I saw it from the road.

Are they still digging the ground (again)?

eh dont think so, the site is just an empty piece of land boarded up now.

Eh? No construction on-going?

No nothing.

That is wierd...how long have they been letting it sit still?

Now there are equipment seen at the Mt Sophia side.

then I must check it out!

Tange traits in two local projects

13 August 2004

CATHAY BUILDING

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2004-08-13/gecathay-174920.jpg

THERE is a sweet irony to the fact that Paul Tange is the architect responsible for shaping the new generation Cathay Building, now undergoing construction at its original site at the junction of Orchard Road and Bras Basah Road.

While the proposed 17-storey retail and residential project is dwarfed by the likes of modern-day monoliths like the Kenzo Tange-designed OUB and UOB buildings, the original Cathay Building and Cinema - 18-storeys high and opened in October 1939 - was Singapore's first skyscraper, and South-east Asia's tallest building.

The building, which was the first air-conditioned public building in Singapore, went through several incarnations over the years, including a hotel in the 1950s and office building since the 1970s.

Older Singaporeans will remember it for its Chinese restaurant and 1,300-seat cinema. Because it is a gazetted national heritage site, Tange's design had to incorporate Cathay Building's famous facade as well as deal with problems posed by building against - and on top of - the rock wall that dominates the unique but difficult site.

Construction of the Cathay Building, an eight-storey retail podium, began about three months ago and is due to be completed by September next year while a nine-storey, 76-unit tower block - Residences @ The Cathay - is slated for completion in April 2006. Construction cost is estimated at $80 million.

According to Kwan Weng Foon, general manager of the Equus Group, the Cathay-owned marketing agent for the project, both retail and residential developments will be available only on a lease basis.

'The good thing about it is they (the architects) have succeeded in blending the old Cathay into the modern design,' says Mr Kwan, who added that some space will be devoted for archival purposes. 'Part of Cathay's history will be built into the development itself.'

He describes the new Cathay as a project that reflects prized Tange design traits: 'Very clean and straightforward, with minimum fuss. We wanted someone of international renown - because Cathay was the first high-rise, we wanted someone of that standard.'

Construction of the Cathay Building, an eight-storey retail podium, began about three months ago and is due to be completed by September next year while a nine-storey, 76-unit tower block - Residences @ The Cathay - is slated for completion in April 2006. Construction cost is estimated at $80 million.
3 months ago? I suppose this is why we dont seem to see much activity all these time?

yah its been like a year since you posted the first article on this. But I guess they needed the time to demolish the old one etc.

Anyway I was at the site today and looks like theyre working on it.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103cathaysignboard.jpg

goodnes... too many tange associates buildings in sg!

It looks as though japanese contractors have a large presence in Singapore's construction industry. Correct me if I'm wrong....but I feel that they are dominating the industry especially in large-scale developments. Is there actually any large local construction firms in Singapore? I mean if they do, shouldn't these higher-profile projects be awarded to them and not always given to japanese developers like Obayashi etc?

uh... woh hup seems pretty big... but yeah seems like there are alot of japanese names. i think many local construction companies went bust with the recent nosedive (actually for the past 7 years) in construction activity.

It looks as though japanese contractors have a large presence in Singapore's construction industry. Correct me if I'm wrong....but I feel that they are dominating the industry especially in large-scale developments. Is there actually any large local construction firms in Singapore? I mean if they do, shouldn't these higher-profile projects be awarded to them and not always given to japanese developers like Obayashi etc?
Hmm....the thing here is that major public infrastructural projects tend to be given out to construction companies based on a "lowest bid" system....whereby usually, the company which can offer to build the stuff with the lowest price gets the deal. Yeah I have to stress usually, because due to a major construction accident at Nicoll Highway recently, they are now wondering if that system is really workable. Nonethelss, it it no surprising that it tends to be more established companies which can offer more competitive prices?

When it comes to private developments like the above however, it is very much more based on who the developer chooses to work with?

Sad...

http://www.ktaweb.com/works/image/cathay/cathay01.jpg

quite normal-pretty i'd say.. looks like the siemens building

I think it looks much nicer than the old one. And the retainment of the front part of the old building will really make a powerful combo.

i wish they could have retained the brown of the façade though.. and do something nice to the building so it would match it and even make it look nice... silver seems to look a little too nice for the trademark ugly façade..

Best retain the whole building, demolish the seats of the cinema while retaining and restoring the deco like Majestic.

This would be the grand lobby for an Art Deco themed hotel.

^

They already did that with the Hotel Rendezvous @_@

Rendezvous are shophouses what, not a grand cinema.

Imagine walking into a hotel with super-high Art Deco lobby.

The stalls and boxes of the cinema would become spectecular restaurant balconies or lounge balconies. :cool:

Hmm....I wonder if the DB area has enough traffic to take another cineplex........

maybe you could also ask if db has enough complexes for traffic.. well it's got traffic my point is if you build it (well), people will come.

maybe you could also ask if db has enough complexes for traffic.. well it's got traffic my point is if you build it (well), people will come.

Hmm.....maybe they should rebuild the selegie area or something......but then since SMU is around there....I'm sure we'll see a lot of students in that area......:yes:

plus there are apartments and offices..

Hmm.....maybe they should rebuild the selegie area or something......but then since SMU is around there....I'm sure we'll see a lot of students in that area......:yes:

Definitely when SMU opens that place will get more busy and I think definitely this new one can support the crowd, it was already supporting the cinema-crowd back in those days.

Also SIngaporeans like to patronize new places generally so I dont see a worry :yes:

21 November 2004

deep hole, the site is huge

http://tinypic.com/ea3314.jpg

Used to pass by there with my family every sunday when we walked from church to the old Plaza Singapura. I remember we would always go in and my parents would buy ius each a roll of kachang putih. Ah... that was sso long ago...

if you're lucky u might still be able to buy kachang putih from the new building :cool:

saw quite a bit of activity there just now.
Any updates? anybody got blue prints/floor plans?
The rendition dont really show the hill behind. Wonder how that will work out and affect the apartments behind...

based on the rendition and looking at the site, I think the base is going to be quite massive...also I think there might be underground link to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station..although not too sure

apparently a condominium project designed by woha is being developed at the carpark next to it.. hope it'll be nice.

well anything is better than that old abandoned carpark...its an eyesore!

They changed the design?? I didn't know. But at lest the new one is better. Hmmm....looks like were having more international firms in our buildings(T.Y. Lin int.)

21 January 2005

the site is in the middle of the pic. Its huge!

the structure is around ground level now

http://img138.exs.cx/img138/871/cathay21011xz.jpg

model of the new Cathay Building

you can see the front facade of the old building is preserved in the design

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103cathaymodel.jpg

15 February 2005

structure has risen out of the ground

http://img226.exs.cx/img226/3118/cathay15024pz.jpg

They are conserving the old facade?

Yep, look at post #69 :-)
I'm wondering how it will blend with the new facade...

18th February

Some more construction pics...

Close-up of the old facade
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/050218_cathay_building01.jpg
It will need a big refurbishment ^^

The structure has risen at the same height as the old facade:
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/050218_cathay_building03.jpg

General view:
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/050218_cathay_building06.jpg

Some construction machines dominating the skyline
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/050218_cathay_building04.jpg

http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/050218_cathay_building05.jpg

The skyline view from the future building:
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/050218_cathay_building02.jpg

the view from there will be great indeed^^

wow...it just looks so massive from the back...it will be interesting to see how they blend the old facade in

it would be nice if they could kept the original building rather then juz the facade or the front part onli...

I HEARD IT IS HAUNTED AS IT IS USED TO BE THE PLACE JAPANESE SOLDIER TORTURE/BEHEADED PEOPLE
IS IT TRUE?

It was the headquarters of the Japanese military administration during WW2. Heads of those beheaded were also displayed outside it.

SO SCARY!

I dunno but walking along the hill behind it feels even more scary!

19 April 2005

structure is now higher than the old facade

http://img255.echo.cx/img255/3704/cathay19045cz.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

I wonder if they'll link it with the MRT station or plaza singapura?? :?

I think it will be linked with the MRT station...

I also heard theyre building another underground mall at the Dhoby Ghaut MRT area beneath SMU. Is that true?

I think it will be linked with the MRT station...

I also heard theyre building another underground mall at the Dhoby Ghaut MRT area beneath SMU. Is that true?

That's great news.....:yes:

As for the underground mall, never heard of it......though from the URA model I saw lately, there'll be a big mall/entertainment development directly above Dhoby Ghaut MRT station.........:yes:

^

oh I dunno if that one is confirmed yet, but that is kinda great news! Except that the area is getting quite 'crowded' especially after SMU is now completed. It used to be nice open space. :yes:

^

oh I dunno if that one is confirmed yet, but that is kinda great news! Except that the area is getting quite 'crowded' especially after SMU is now completed. It used to be nice open space. :yes:

I seriously think they should consider developing the selegie area also since it's so near DB and SMU........:yes:

25/4/05:

http://img249.echo.cx/img249/4994/pic0185513cr.jpg

Front facade:
http://img252.echo.cx/img252/9315/cathay22ir.jpg

nice update...but cant really see the progress of the new bit, which is clearer from Handy Rd

anyway, cant wait for them to turn this old ruin and revive its former glory as an entertainment spot in town :yes:

Its now 3rd or 4th floor liao, saw it today while passing by in a cap but didnt have a chance to snap a picture.

24th May

http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/050524_cathay01.jpg

It's looking rather imposing now ^^

Thanks for the update Pengui !

Yes, the building has quite a big floor plate.

it is exciting...like the rising of a phoenix from the ashes

i can imagine this (and those new condos) will add some light and colour to that area, which has become quieter after the old Cathay closed.

Construction seems to be fast on this building, picture taken 11 Jun 2005.
http://www.geocities.com/unixxi/cathay1.jpg

it looks massive..bigger than the old one

Reached 7 floor already.

http://www.geocities.com/unixxi/Cathay0608.JPG

4 August 2005

cladding has started

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2545/cathay04089gl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Wow....look big and imposing.....:yes:

Cathay building to reopen in January 2006 with an 8-screen cineplex
By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia





SINGAPORE : Cathay Building, one of the historic landmarks along Dhoby Ghaut, is set for reopening soon.

It was closed for five years for redevelopment.

Once considered Singapore's tallest building, it had entertained generations of Singaporeans at the popular Cathay Cinema.

Built in 1939, the Cathay building was an icon in its time, housing a 1,399-seat cinema.

It also held the honour of being not just the tallest, but also the first air-conditioned public building.

In 2000, the owners decided to redevelop the building in keeping with the times.

Gazetted as a heritage site, the team had to incorporate conservation requirements such as retaining the original facade, complete with its Art Deco features, canopy and cornices, while blending in an ultra-modern glass look for the retail outlets and apartment block.

But the main attraction is the cinema which is set to come back with a bang.

"It will have eight screens with about 1,900 seats and we will bring back the Picturehouse among other things. We are looking at an arthouse meant for the moviegoer. And with that, we will also be bringing back the blockbuster movies," said Suhaimi Rafdi, president of business operations at Cathay Organisation.

In keeping with the blockbuster theme, there are plans to bring in popular movie stars for the opening next year.

Free movie tickets will also be given away to the public when the building reopens.

- CNA /ls

It'll be just another cinema unless they have a unique differentiating factor.

Cathay, the former cinema giant and powerhouse is now one of the smallest operations here with only 2 locations.

How... ironic....

Is it? I thought Shaw cinemas in the past are more than Cathay cinemas.

well..at least I am sure the new building with its facade will be brightly lit up and add some shine to that part of town...which has been pretty dark the past few years....and with all the new projects there..it should be busier :)

well..at least I am sure the new building with its facade will be brightly lit up and add some shine to that part of town...which has been pretty dark the past few years....and with all the new projects there..it should be busier :)

Yeah....I'm sure it will bring more buzz to the area.......:yes:

24 Sep 05

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/3858/cathay24093wo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

01 OCT 2005:
http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/5882/dsc024834fr.jpg

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/8982/dsc024845wo.jpg

Cathay Building (22/10/05)

http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/535/pic0423418ne.jpg

it looks huge from that perspective! :eek:

i wonder what kind of shops will be available at this cathay building? And moreover the front lawn does not seem to be attractive as a lot of trees are planted and making it obscure..i am not saying that we should cut down the trees but u have to look from the distant point of view, it seems that the cathay building is quite obscured by trees and the vicinity aroun the cathay building is not attractive as there is an unsightly monsoon drain nearby..

:runaway:

i wonder what kind of shops will be available at this cathay building?
:runaway:

You will find out in Jan 2006.....:yes:

311005

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/6118/dsc027387kb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

looks nice!

the cladding has gone up a lot :eek:

yah the old building I think they covered up with cement

Wow....seems like 90% completed....:yes:

is it easily accessible from dhoby ghaut mrt?

is it easily accessible from dhoby ghaut mrt?


u can see in my pics there are MRT construction (on the left)

I hope so...btw the shopping mall beneath Dhoby Ghaut MRT is underway, its called Dhoby Xchange, opening next year

Will it be linking Dhoby Ghaut and Museum stations or something like that ?

I hope so...btw the shopping mall beneath Dhoby Ghaut MRT is underway, its called Dhoby Xchange, opening next year


really ??

guess it will be the same as Citylink :)

Just saw it few days ago. It's HUGE!!! :eek:

But.... :(

wearing skeptical mask...*hm*..

:runaway:
You will find out in Jan 2006.....:yes:

Opening in March 2006. Here's a video clip....:yes:

http://www.cathay.com.sg/cineplex06.html

it's a long time since I watched a movie... wonder which was the last movie I watched. Mr and Mrs Smith?

it's a long time since I watched a movie... wonder which was the last movie I watched. Mr and Mrs Smith?

the new cinema would be a good reason to catch a new movie :happy:

Actually the current cineleisure is a nice place to catch a movie, the booking fee is only 50 cents and lots of choices in terms of number of movies and schedule......they even got digital cinema (DLP technology).....:yes:

Hopefully the new cinema will be even better.....:D

hmmm...dont quite like the narrow layout of cineleisure...hope this one provides a nicer/grander atmosphere :yes:

The preserved Art-Deco facade...a nice reminder of its past.

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/cathayfacade.jpg

Night lighting is now ON !

It's changing color and is sort of like a minimalist version of the DFS shopping mall.
Well it's not HK yet but at least it's something ^ ^

HK? :lol:

Below the render posted by heirloom on page 3 of this thread: BTW is that the preserved Art-deco entrance,
just barely visible @ the base on the very right-hand side, turning the corner,
as seen in the pic below courtesy of RafflesCity?

http://www.ktaweb.com/works/image/cathay/cathay01.jpg

The preserved Art-Deco facade...a nice reminder of its past.

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/cathayfacade.jpg^^ Great stuff RafflesCity...Wonderful pic :okay:

Night lighting is now ON ! Anyone able to get pics of the night lighting? It would be interesting to see the night lighting in the evenings :)

BTW Wiil there still be 2 or 3 cinemas invloved in the complex?

the windows looks interesting... but somehow the preserved front facade doesnt seems to fit in well with the mordern complex...

Thanks Muse, yes that is the preserved Art-Deco facade entrance of the original building.

I think it looks great and would love to see how the whole thing looks at night.

Heres another pic

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8095/cathayfacade23sn.jpg

^^ Whoa. I have to agree that it looks wonderful :D its just so niceeeee

6th February 2006

http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/060206_cathay03.jpg

http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/060206_cathay05.jpg

http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/060206_cathay06.jpg
Looking good. Almost finished. Night lighting was off last time I passed by, so no photos of it.

Looks plain weird... but cool!

The glass and the old block didn't match so well ....:yes:

Somehow it made the old wall look like some cheesy Art Deco Fest deco... :lol:

Seems like its opening soon.......:yes:

Cathay website says March, nothing more accurate.

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980005929-8106-3181-8381/img0114.jpg


http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/060206_cathay05.jpg

Before and after.
I prefer the old tower. :cry:

ROFL ^ ^
That's not the tower, the tower will be rising behind. This is just some design feature of the podium.

While the pics of the old building look great and it is indeed a shame that it couldn't have been restored to it's former glory, the new development does seem to look quite good. I like the building shape, it ties in nicely with the restored facade.

12/2/06 (from Mandarin hotel)

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3863/dsc0188316vx.jpg

March 21, 2006
Cathay aims to make life better

THE historic Cathay cinema will soon be back showing movies on the big screen after a six-year hiatus - and is heralding its return with a new campaign promising 'life is going to get better'.

The Cathay, which has been extensively refurbished, wants to brand itself as the chic cinema and shopping mall of choice for young professionals and expatriates between 25 and 40.

To appeal to this 'sophisticated, cosmopolitan' audience, the Cathay has unleashed a $500,000 marketing campaign.

It uses subtle wit and teaser ads with the tagline 'Life is going to get better' when the new cinema and shopping mall opens, said its advertising agency Manic Design.

The Cathay will house the art cinema, The Picturehouse, an eight-screen cineplex and a shopping mall.

The mall will include tenants targeted specifically at young professionals, such as a huge Adidas concept boutique, a Ben & Jerry's cafe and the Inner Harmony spa.

The Cathay opted for the 'clean, refreshing and classy' look with its series of 12 cartoons in the style of The New Yorker, with humourous references to popular TV shows such as Sex & The City and Jerry Seinfeld.

Ms Lynette Lee, the Cathay's advertising and promotions manager, said: 'We wanted our ad campaign to stand out and cut through the clutter of the rest of the retail ads.

'Thus, we decided to use cartoons with subtle humour - something clean and simple with a dash of quirkiness. Illustrations are also timeless.'

Manic Design spokeman Jimmy Tan said: 'We identified very early on that the shopping sector was a very competitive one in Singapore and wanted to forgo the hard sell shopping mall advertising which usually consists of beautiful models with shopping bags.'

Manic also used mutiple channels to market the theme of 'Life is going to get better', from theme parties and online contests to magazine and print ads.

It set up a website where visitors could take part in a contest by completing the sentence 'My life would get better if...' and tell five of their friends about the site.

The top prize is a trip for two to the Banyan Tree resort in Tibet.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

went to the cinema here last night. It's a very nice place! The mall isn't ready yet but it seems a near complete copy of the style of the cathay at Orchard.

The grand Cathay is indeed quite grand, reminds me of the old cinemas we have in the uk, ones that look more like a theatre than a cinema.

went to the cinema here last night. It's a very nice place! The mall isn't ready yet but it seems a near complete copy of the style of the cathay at Orchard.

The grand Cathay is indeed quite grand, reminds me of the old cinemas we have in the uk, ones that look more like a theatre than a cinema.

How does the exterior look at night?? :?

You will see "strings of changing colour lights"

Go tonight and find out.

You will see "strings of changing colour lights"

Go tonight and find out.

Hmm.....sounds quite exciting....:D

went to the cinema here last night. It's a very nice place! The mall isn't ready yet but it seems a near complete copy of the style of the cathay at Orchard.

The grand Cathay is indeed quite grand, reminds me of the old cinemas we have in the uk, ones that look more like a theatre than a cinema.

Yes, I've been in there too and it was great :-) Room 1 is called the Grand Cathay and the deco is quite cool, good seats, large screen and nicely tuned sound. I'm just a bit surprised that the projector seems not to be digital ? Oh well :-)
5th floor toilets feature famous actors and actresses portraits ;-)

i have to say the apartment building looks horrid for now though

Looks ok at night...not too fabulous..:yes:

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Old%20buildings/DSC_0015.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Old%20buildings/DSC_0028.jpg

^^ Yeh. there isnt that smth to "draw" me into the building...

that's cos it's not finished yet

The mall looks classy though.......but shops have not open for business....:yes:

that's cos it's not finished yet
alright.

I like how theyve lit up the remnants of the old Art Deco facade in full glory

Skin-deep makeover

2 Apr 06

Cathay, the grande dame of cinemas here, gets a $100 million facelift but loses much of her character

By Tan Dawn Wei

LIGHTS, camera, action! Singapore's grande dame of the cinema scene, The Cathay, has finally reopened after the mother of all makeovers. But shocked movie-goers who have checked out the old lady aren't exactly rolling out the red carpet over the $100 million changes.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-04-01/ST_IMAGES_LIFDTCAT.jpg

Sure, still there in all its glory is the iconic Art Deco facade, an original from 1939 when the 16-storey building became Singapore's first skyscraper.

But lurking beyond that, in the former area of a hallowed cinema that held many memories for many Singaporeans, is a spanking new... shopping mall.

The mall, when fully open in June, will come complete with Starbucks, adidas, Ben & Jerry's Cafe and Cheers.

To get to the cinema, you no longer take those momentous steps up the grand staircase. You take one of three lifts or escalators to the cineplex on the fifth floor.

As one movie-goer puts it: 'It's like Tampines Mall has come to the city.'

True, the facade has been preserved and the spot gazetted as a national monument. But architects and heritage advocates whom LifeStyle spoke to all bemoan the fact that a piece of history has, like the title of the curtain-raiser at the opening, Gone With The Wind.

Mr Dinesh Naidu, executive secretary of the Singapore Heritage Society, remembers being struck as a child by the 'voluptuous curves', the 'elegant fins' and the 'rich glazing on the tiles' of the old cinema.

But more important than this are the social and cultural ties people have to it, says Mr Naidu, who is an architectural writer co-authoring a book on Singapore's architectural heritage featuring the Cathay building.

'We don't have lots of civic spaces in Singapore where people can gather. Certain buildings have the X-factor and they acquire rolling value. That kind of value you can't buy, not like a casino.'

Cut-and-paste

DESIGNED by Frank Brewer and arguably seen as one of his most significant works, the Cathay building has seen 67 years of Singapore history.

Mr Tan Kay Ngee, one of the key architects in the Singapore Management University project just across from the Cathay building, calls the old facade 'simply cut and pasted on' to the rebuilt structure.

'Buildings of that period have a certain 3-D quality about them. The exterior expresses the interior. If you keep the exterior and wipe out the interior, it becomes just a mask.'

Mr Goh Eck Kheng, publisher of Landmark Books, echoes this sentiment: 'The shell is important but the spirit and content are equally important. I think it's such an odd compromise you might as well not do it that way.'

It's no secret that this new building wasn't quite what the owners had in mind. Ms Choo Meileen, Cathay Organisation's executive director, has had plenty of tussles with the authorities over the conservation issue.

The original drawings featured a central staircase inspired by the '100 Steps' that once led up to the Methodist Girls' School at Mount Sophia.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-04-01/cathay1.jpg

The building's designer Paul Tange told The Business Times that those stairs would serve well when it came to red carpet film premieres. All that changed after meetings with the building authorities.

Even so, those interviewed by LifeStyle say they would still have liked to see more of the old Cathay retained inside. Says architect Theodore Chan, who was involved in the design of the Hotel Rendezvous across the street: 'The designer could have emulated the old building elements and applied it on the inside and it'll be a more true gesture rather than a skin-deep one.'

Iconic cinemas have been preserved well in other cities, says architect Mr Tan, like the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles and the Empire Theatre in London. Both are still used for screenings.

Mr Naidu feels 'something more architecturally respectful and interesting could have been done'.

'We have conserved far lesser buildings. There's a sense of false choice, that it's either-or. We don't have to sacrifice commercial viability because there can be innovative, imaginative designs.'

But with multiplexes being the industry standard these days, standalone cinemas can no longer stand on their own.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-04-01/cathay2.jpg

With this, says Ms Choo, 'it would not have been possible to put a multiplex in the old building'.

Even when Cathay converted the single hall in the old building into three theatres in 1991, it was 'at best a makeshift compromise to today's standards for a multiplex and people seem to forget that this is one of our core businesses', she says.

Not all seems lost for those hankering for a piece of nostalgia. There will be a Cathay Gallery on the second floor showcasing its history.

The Grand Cathay cinema also features copies of the gold frieze designs and pillars from the old cinema, while the terrazzo floor cut-outs at the entrance are from yesteryear.

Ms Choo herself enjoys the natural light that envelopes the mall in the day. 'We, the owners, like the building and, at the end of the day, isn't that what counts?'

Do you like the rebuilt Cathay in Handy Road? E-mail stlife@sph.com.sg

'When you conserve, it's for the people and their memories, but the burden falls entirely on the owner. We should share some of that burden'
- Mr Dinesh Naidu, executive secretary of the Singapore Heritage Society and architectural writer

Stiff rules, stiff neck

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-04-01/seats.jpg

THE fancy suede designer seats may have cost $6,000 each. But some movie-goers at Cathay's The Picturehouse aren't sitting pretty. Too stiff, too straight, too high, they told LifeStyle.

That's not the only gripe about the practicalities of going to the movies at Cathay's newly opened arthouse cinema, part of its rebuilt landmark building.

As well as seats that give you a sore neck, there are a carpark with too-tight corners, not enough lifts, and you can't take food and drinks into the theatre.

Ms Panuksmi Hardjowirogo, an exhibit content producer who sat in the front row when she watched the French film, The Child, last Wednesday, couldn't believe how uncomfortable the chairs were, considering how much they cost. 'I have a stiff neck now,' she says.

Others complain that the chairs are too deep, leaving the legs of shorter folks dangling. 'There was no way you could slouch either,' says Mr Jonathan Chua, a teacher.

One woman was so incensed by her bad experience on the opening weekend at the cinema, she wrote a letter to this paper.

Her beef: She had to wait 20 minutes to pick up her pre-booked online tickets, then another 15 minutes to buy popcorn. When she finally settled into her seat at The Picturehouse, she was told by the usher that neither food nor drinks were allowed in the theatre - even though each chair had a cup holder.

However, when LifeStyle checked out the new cinema last Wednesday night, the ticket purchasing was a breeze and the efficient and friendly box-office staff was quick to point out the cinema's no-food policy.

Cathay's corporate relations manager, Ms Jennifer Wee-Almodiel, says it wants The Picturehouse patrons 'to be able to appreciate art films without the sounds of packets of tidbits being opened, munching or crunching sounds from eating or have the hall full of food smells'. Movie-goers can eat at The Picturehouse Lounge next to the theatre.

As for the cup holders, Ms WeeAlmodiel says they came with the Italian-designed Poltrana Frau chairs. 'We did not want to remove the cup holders as we want to keep to the original design.' Just as well, because the cinema is reviewing its no-food policy.

Another complaint from patrons is over inadequate carpark signs. Ms Rosalyn Png parked her car at the adjoining multi-storey carpark but found herself led down the stairs to nowhere. When she returned for her car after the movie, she couldn't go back the same way and had to take a ramp up to her floor.

'It was frustration,' says the lawyer.

Beyond these practical grouses, the longer-term question for The Picturehouse is how it can sustain itself.

With tickets priced at $10, a hall of just 82 seats and a policy of exclusivity - you won't see the film in any other theatre - it is making itself very exclusive indeed.

For independent movie distributors like Festive Films, the sums will have to add up. Says its managing director Low Yuen Ping: 'Theoretically, the fact that not so many films will be released in the theatre may also mean films will run for a longer period of time.'

That's good news for arthouse film buffs like Juan Foo, an independent film and TV producer.

'We'll have a constant stream of alternative films now, and these won't have to compete with Hollywood fare in the regular theatres.'

^ I think the mall looks more classy than Tampines Mall.....something in the line of SOHO@Central....:cool:

This is another text book example of stupidity and ostentation in their finest moment.

this thread should be filed under completed projects already!

anyway I went to Cathay, don't like the building, don't like the box-office, but loved the interior of the cinema itself... tall people never had so much space to spread their legs! it was VERY comfortable, the aircon was just right, the decor very elegant and yet cozy.

I like the decorated back of the lifts, and that's about it. Parking is a bit silly.

this thread should be filed under completed projects already!

This thread is about the building and it also includes the shopping mall and the office tower, the later being far from completed ;-)

The old building had character and was a landmark. Easily recognisable and represented an era.

The new building is non-descript. Easily forgettable and representative of an error.

19 May 2006

still working on the apartments on top

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/2458/cathay19059cm.jpg

Hmm....the apartment looks a bit like the National Library.....:yes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/jonathantay/P1050579.jpg
sorry for the blur. I took it in the car. The building looks nice at night.

Looks good indeed,but will be much better if taller..

Is it apartments ? I thought it would be offices...

based on the article in the first post, it seems like apartments ;-)

Cathay's tenant troubles

18 Jun 06

The new Cathay mall is experiencing slow business, but its management says this will change by October

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20060617/ST_IMAGES_SHOPt.jpg

WALK past The Cathay building and you might be forgiven for thinking the mall is still under construction.

Besides the lone Starbucks on the ground level, what greets passers-by are long stretches of hoarding.

Peek inside the four-storey mall and the same hoarding dominates the third and fourth floors.

The only sign of life is on the second floor, where an Adidas boutique, a Mask facial spa and an ice cream parlour Ben & Jerry's are clearly visible from the ground floor.

Take a closer look, however, and you will spy smaller shops like Blink, an eyewear shop, tucked forlornly in the corners.

The eight-hall cineplex opened with a bang on March 24. But the mall's low-key start is less than a whimper.

As a result, some tenants are lamenting the sad state of affairs.

Spa Esprit's director, Ms Cynthia Chua, 34, was the first to open three outlets there on May 3, the date set by the management.

She was dismayed to find that her shops - brow grooming service Browhaus, waxing specialist Strip Co-ed and Mask - were the only ones open.

It took another 21/2 weeks before Adidas and Ben & Jerry's opened next door to her shops.

Ms Chua says: 'We were scrambling to meet their deadline. If the mall wants to open in stages, they should notify the tenants to let them know.'

She picked The Cathay because she had nostalgic memories of the building, where she used to watch movies as a child.

Also, based on 'the way it was marketed to us, we felt the target crowd was the right demographic', she says.

But she is having second thoughts, especially since Mask is a new concept store she is keen to showcase.

Cathay's president of business operations Suhaimi Rafdi, 38, says that all the tenants knew that the mall would have a progressive opening, with only the cineplex fully operational at first.

While Ms Chua says she is paying prime Orchard Road rates, Mr Suhaimi says rates are slightly lower than those in the shopping belt.

With most stores still unopened, Ms Chua says few people are venturing in to patronise those that are.

'When we try to drive our customers from our other outlets here with promotions and discounts, they say there's nothing to see in the building. It's hoarded up everywhere,' she says.


Other tenants report similar woes.

Mr Fahmy Ishak, 30, a retail specialist with the Adidas Concept Store which opened on May 15, says: 'The crowds are erratic and they are drawn here only by the cinema.'

The first customers - mostly teenagers on school holidays - usually come at 4pm on weekdays, he says.

They are followed by working adults who turn up to catch movies at 7pm.

The two cafes now open, Ben & Jerry's and Starbucks, also report slow business.

Starbucks' manager Mohd Hazli, 26, says: 'From 8am when we open till noon, the place is dead.'

Ben & Jerry's manager Susanto Linling, 27, says business is 50 per cent below expectations.

It does not help that there is cut-throat competition nearby. As Mr Mohd points out, the bustling Plaza Singapura is closer to the MRT station and also offers movies and a bigger mix of shops.

Mr Fahmy concurs, adding: 'The worst times are when it rains. There is no shelter to bring people here from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, so we are basically cut off from the main vein.'

Cathay's Mr Suhaimi, is quick to assure tenants.

'We hear them,' he says. 'But Rome wasn't built in a day. The mall is only 10 weeks old.'

He says the management has been in touch with the operators and has been doing promotions and giveaways, tied in to the cinema, to help them.

Rental waivers are 'not in our plans' but he says that the management is considering rental rebates on a case-by-case basis, 'in appreciation of the tenants who came in early to support us'.


Not all the businesses are complaining though.

Swimwear boutique Buttcheeks opened last Wednesday, and owner Aaghir Yudav, 24, made three sales that day.

He says: 'When I first came to Cathay to have a look before the store opened, I was worried my business would suffer for a few months. But after today, I'm pretty confident about this place.'

Although the mall looks empty, Mr Suhaimi says occupancy rate is currently at 48 per cent as the cineplex is considered the anchor tenant.

'To date, we are 70 per cent leased,' he adds.

To-a-tee, a local T-shirt designer boutique, will open by the end of the month.

He is aware that the mall needs some work.

In the pipeline are landscaping works, including outdoor seating, for the patch of greenery in front of the building as well as an underground link to the train station.

There are certain constraints that the management, as well as potential tenants, have to work within as the building's facade is gazetted as a national monument, he points out.

'Some tenants are limited in what they can do with frontage and window displays,' he says.

The hoarding is here to stay for a while as there will be dust from renovation works as more tenants move in.

Inner Harmony, a spa and wellness centre, has signed up for the third floor.

Cathay is also planning a twist on its popular E2Max gaming concept at Orchard Cineleisure, which it also owns, for The Cathay's fourth level. Instead of a LAN gaming centre with teen-oriented activities, The Cathay's E2Max will be targeted at PMEBs (professionals, managers, executives and businessmen) aged between 25 and 40.

'It's going to be a lounge concept, where you can sit and drink a glass of wine, read a book, surf the Web and just relax,' Mr Suhaimi says.

This will be ready by September.

The Cathay, he points out, is a boutique mall with a specific target demographic.

'That is why we are very careful when selecting our tenants.'

Others who have signed up are TaylorMade, a golf shop; The Indulge, a halal Asian fusion eatery; and Clique, a bookshop.

By October, the mall will be fully functional, he says.

That might prove too long a wait for some tenants. Ms Chua says she is disappointed at the lack of communication from the management and that a rental waiver is a fair recompense.

In the meantime, she says, she will try to minimise costs at her shops by deploying staff to other outlets.

Additional reporting by Gladys Chung

The building makes the old Cathay look like a cheapo cardboad add-on deco.

The glass facade is too sheer and the old portion isn't 'respected'... :(

i find it very classy at night leh...the surroundings in that area has a soothing effect to me, i think once the developments (condos, circle line etc)surrounding cathay is built up, that area would look really good

Yes, the building is not even finished, give Cathay some more time to polish the details :-)

I was on top of swissotel tonight and the building looks really impressive. Thats one of the only building that can be seen clearly at night because of the projetion of lights used. I guess, once the whole area is fully developed, condos, momo, sohos, selegie areas and ccl. The whole area would be very buzzing. They should encourage more lighting systems to building.

Taking pics in the theatre is not allowed, as I was reminded was I was trying to setup my camera in a stable position... So I had to sneak-shot with the camera handheld... Apologies for the bluriness... But it will give an idea about the room deco to those of you who didn't went in yet... You should ;-)

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/06/060629_grand_cathay01.jpg

Yes.....very grand.....here's some pictures from me...shhh...:D

1.
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/9135/dsc0001qi9.jpg

2.
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/6136/dsc0002gm6.jpg

Haha, great job :-)

Grand in today's standard, but not yesteryear's standard. Love to see how grand old Cathay was.

9 September 2006

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/cathay0909.jpg

Looks almost complete.

There is an article about the Cathay in the latest issue of Singapore Architect.

It makes a suggestion that perhaps there is not much to cry about the demolition of the former tower block since it was modified and not respected in the past anyways...

^ Hmmm.....well at least an effort was made to preserve something.....:yes:

Anyway, I think The Cathay should really think of opening up its mall and attracting more people there......right now, it feels very "dead"....unlike the nearby Plaza Singapura.....:yes:

They should also improve connectivity with Plaza Singapura or the MRT stations.....right now, Plaza Singapura is really giving it a run for the money due to location......:yes:

yes I agree....in future the Cathay may get more life when the Arts School next door opens and when more people move into the area...I still have yet to check out the interior myself ;-)

^^ personally i felt that it can do without the front preserved facade... it still looks kinda weird to me, doesnt seem to blend in with the modern portion...

it does look odd when viewed as in that last pic i.e. you see the whole building. However, from street level it's very good ...

the facade at street level works perfectly as the rest of the building is set back from it so as not to feel overbearing.

Maybe the glass bit behind it isn't the most inspired of buildings, but I for one am happy the facade has been kept.

Oct 20, 2006
Cathay tenants get new round of rental rebates
Their rents will be halved until the end of the year; almost half of the mall is still empty

By Fiona Chan

TENANTS at the newly refurbished The Cathay mall are getting their rents slashed by half until the end of the year.

This is the second round of rental rebates that The Cathay has granted since it opened in May and comes after unhappy tenants wrote to the management about poor shopper traffic.

Almost half the mall is still empty, with actual operational occupancy at only 60 per cent. The Cathay Cineplexes, the anchor tenant, makes up a substantial one-third of that figure.

But the mall's management says 82 per cent has been leased and the mall will be 78 per cent occupied by next month. New tenants will include American-themed restaurant Billy Bombers and gym chain Fitness First.

Cathay Organisation's president of business operations, Mr Suhaimi Rafdi, told The Straits Times yesterday that the new rebates were planned 'way before' and not a result of the tenants' letter, of which he said he was unaware. 'Like all new malls that offer rebates to tenants, we embarked on the same approach,' he said.

'We are fairly surprised by any unhappy tenants as we have already extended a second phase of rebates.'

The Straits Times understands that nine of the mall's 20 tenants wrote to the mall's marketing and leasing department in August, raising concerns about slow business and asking for some form of assistance.

A reply came two weeks later, saying that the landlord would be 'evaluating the matter seriously'. It was later announced that new and existing tenants would get a 50 per cent rebate on rent for next month and December.

This is on top of an initial round of rebates between May and this month. Tenants got a 50 per cent rebate in May, 40 per cent in June, and so on until the rebate hit 5 per cent this month.

Rents are now at about $15 per sq ft (psf) for a third-floor unit to more than $20 psf for a ground-floor unit.

This compares with an overall average of slightly over $10 psf for nearby Plaza Singapura, about $33 psf on average for prime Orchard Road space and between $5 psf and $30 psf for VivoCity, another newly opened mall.

Most of the 10 Cathay tenants that The Straits Times spoke to yesterday said that while they were grateful for the additional rebates, these provided only short-term relief and were not a solution in the long run.

Many also noted that tenants at VivoCity - which opened on Oct 7 and is 93 per cent leased out and 70 per cent occupied - are enjoying similar rental rebates despite booming business.

'When we signed the lease, they told us the mall would be 70 per cent occupied by mid-June,' said Mr Luke Elijah Lim, who invested $150,000 in his start-up boutique, To-a-tee, on the third floor of The Cathay.

'But even now, most of the time it's a dead town. They promised us big-name tenants that never came.'

Mr Shenzi Chua, who runs NewUrbanMale on the ground floor, said he thinks the mall 'has great potential', but 'the continuous effort to bring in more and the right group of people has somehow stopped somewhere'.

Tenants such as Ms Grace Ng, owner of premium stationery boutique Wood Would, spoke of being 'demoralised' by poor business. 'This place is not functional; there is no convenience store, no pharmacy, not even an ATM,' she said.

Property experts yesterday said The Cathay's difficulty in attracting new tenants may lie in its location, visibility and shortage of existing tenants.

'It is a little bit off the main Orchard Road, and you don't really see it performing up to par right now because the occupancy is not there yet,' said one retail consultant.

Mr Danny Yeo, executive director of Knight Frank, said malls should open with at least 90 per cent occupancy 'to give them a chance to survive'.

This is 'so that when promotions and events are organised to draw the crowd, they won't come to find a half-empty mall'.

fiochan@sph.com.sg

RENT RELIEF

New and existing tenants of the mall will get a 50 per cent rebate on rent for next month and December. This is on top of an initial round of rebates between May and this month. Rents are now at about $15 per sq ft (psf) for a third-floor unit to more than $20 psf for a ground-floor unit. This compares with an overall average of slightly over $10 psf for nearby Plaza Singapura, about $33 psf on average for prime Orchard Road space and between $5 psf and $30 psf for VivoCity, another newly opened mall.

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

I noticed the empty grass patch in front of the Cathay has been hoarded up (adjacent to the Arts School under construction)

I think Cathay business will pick up once the surrounding condo's ready....:yes:

Oct 20, 2006
Cathay tenants get new round of rental rebates
Their rents will be halved until the end of the year; almost half of the mall is still empty

By Fiona Chan

Tenants such as Ms Grace Ng, owner of premium stationery boutique Wood Would, spoke of being 'demoralised' by poor business. 'This place is not functional; there is no convenience store, no pharmacy, not even an ATM,' she said.

Is this true? How can a mall survive without any convenience store and ATMs? I hope they have a food court there to the least.

Been there once few weeks ago for a free screening of Jacky Chan's movie orgainsed by my customers. The first impression of the building, its lighting and yes, security was a good one. and like what was reported, it was pretty much deserted then. but this thing caught my eyes though ...
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/BODYholic/The%20Cathay/DSC05405.jpg
The place is WIFI connected.

Is this true? How can a mall survive without any convenience store and ATMs? I hope they have a food court there to the least.

There's no food court.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/179/dsc0508sqq1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

There's no food court.
oh ok, initially the answer really took me by surprise. And i have been thinking for the last few minutes what the place is trying to promote with this atypical setup. A place without foodcourt, perhaps won't attract families, babies on pram and the likes. So they are likely to become our Hereen No.2 where the youngs and hips gather. :lol:

oh ok, initially the answer really took me by surprise. And i have been thinking for the last few minutes what the place is trying to promote with this atypical setup. A place without foodcourt, perhaps won't attract families, babies on pram and the likes. So they are likely to become our Hereen No.2 where the youngs and hips gather. :lol:

Well I guess the focal point is the cinema... And there's definitely space for a food court over there. So in the future, hopefully... :-)

I was there to catch a movie with gf 2 weeks ago. There seemed to be some eateries at the basement. We only saw some tables and chairs and from what I gathered, there is a foodcourt of some kind there.

If you have a shop there, its true, you'll cry. I quite like it, while its still quiet.

lovely pic encon! :happy:

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/4531/dsc0009hp9.jpg

Ugly... :(

I do not think it is ugly, I think cathay has a good motive. If you look back at cineleisure, it was deserted at a moment in time. All those theme from movies do not really work out. BUt compare now, that place is hype with activities and vibe. This could well be another goldmine for cathay, think ahead for the future. What they lack now are the customers.They will flock once the surroundings developments are up. That corner of Orchard Rd should be a mecca of "New York Broadway" - Arts School, Bugis, Entertainment, SMU, a place for the young, hip, arty and where street fashion evolved.

Got to agree with spikeshamz, right now the place is dead mostly because of its surroundings and the slow opening.

Later, once a food court and some convenience stores open, once nearby apartments (including Cathay Apartments) will be completed and once Circle Line opens, there's surely gonna be a lot more business in the area. Think that SMU is poised for growth and two arts schools are opening nearby, LaSalle quite soon even.

Pengui & spikeshamz, I think you guys misunderstood redstone's intention. I believe his comment was in response to the foto posted by ^tamago^-san. The 'ugly' was in an aesthetic sense. It has absolutely nothing to do with the motive of The Cathay (or whatsoever) or how good/bad its surrounding is. :ohno:

I do like The Cathay for its simple lines. But those things that they hang really makes the place looked 3rd world. OMG. :nuts:

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/4531/dsc0009hp9.jpg

picture too red ah? http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/forums/styles/hwz/smilies/wobble.gif http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/forums/styles/hwz/smilies/wobble.gif http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/forums/styles/hwz/smilies/wobble.gif

Night picture
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8441/dscf0238mc0.jpg

picture too red ah? http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/forums/styles/hwz/smilies/wobble.gif http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/forums/styles/hwz/smilies/wobble.gif http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/forums/styles/hwz/smilies/wobble.gif

Oh .. no .. no .. no, I am not criticizing on the photo skill (i am not qualify lar), I meant to say that I dislike those 'round round' things that they hung inside. Very the lian. :lol: Thanks for the pic.

The logo on the red red things look like Genting's

The logo on the red red things look like Genting's

Now that you mention it...

http://www.genting.com.my/en/mydream/images/logo.gif

Oh .. no .. no .. no, I am not criticizing on the photo skill (i am not qualify lar), I meant to say that I dislike those 'round round' things that they hung inside. Very the lian. :lol: Thanks for the pic.
okies... cos got ppl ask why my D50 night/dark/indoor shots tend to be redder than usual...

I was saying the new Cathay doesn't match the old facade. New Cathay design is ugly.

okies... cos got ppl ask why my D50 night/dark/indoor shots tend to be redder than usual...
no problem. here ain't clubsnap.com. :)

@redstone: Oh yes, the facade looks like very Yankee to me.