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Loyang Point gets new lease of life after two-year facelift

SINGAPORE — Sheltered linkways, more parking spaces and a wider variety of shops - including more dining options - are among the features residents of Pasir Ris can now enjoy at the refurbished Loyang Point shopping complex.

Located at Pasir Ris Street 21, Loyang Point Shopping Complex received a comprehensive makeover with major improvements to its façade, shop capacity, infrastructure and connectivity in October 2014. Photo: Esther Leong/TODAY

Located at Pasir Ris Street 21, Loyang Point Shopping Complex received a comprehensive makeover with major improvements to its façade, shop capacity, infrastructure and connectivity in October 2014. Photo: Esther Leong/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — Sheltered linkways, more parking spaces and a wider variety of shops - including more dining options - are among the features residents of Pasir Ris can now enjoy at the refurbished Loyang Point shopping complex.

Loyang Point is one of the six Housing and Development Board (HDB) neighbourhood shopping complexes that have undergone a facelift - to the tune of S$48 million in total.

A seventh complex - Elias Mall - will complete upgrading works by the end of the year.

The upgraded Loyang Point, which is located at Pasir Ris Street 21, is now 36 per cent bigger than before. It also boasts more amenities, including family-friendly features in its restrooms, two new lifts and escalators, and a wider air-conditioned atrium to accommodate more people who attend roadshows, fairs or exhibitions that may be held there.

The mall was officially opened last month after two years of phased renovation works to "minimise disruption to businesses".

Among those giving the facelift a nod of approval was IT manager Justin Kuek, 32, who lives 10 minutes away from the shopping complex.

He told TODAY that because of the mall's wider selection of dining outlets, "my family does not have to travel so far for a simple meal", and he now spends a longer time at the mall whenever he visits it.

Mr Abdul Rahman, 69, who drops by daily for his groceries and meals, also praised the improved tenant mix.

But the retiree had hoped that the mall would have more seating areas, especially for elderly residents such as himself.

Around 95 per cent of former tenants have moved back to the shopping complex, which has attained a tenancy rate of around 90 per cent, said the HDB.

Businesses say they have seen their earnings go up by an average of 30 to 40 per cent as a result of the increase in footfall.

Owner of Chong Ee Geomancy and Trading William Lee, a tenant of 10 years, moved into a larger space across from his old shop on the same floor.

He has also taken up a second shop to run a laundromat, since March.

Mr Lee said the footfall on weekdays increased by around 30 per cent, and on weekends, it can go up by as much as 70 per cent.

Vice-chairman of the Loyang Point Merchants' Association Andy Ang, meanwhile, said that during the upgrading period, some tenants had voiced their concerns about losing their business for so long.

But Mr Ang said the association had allayed their concerns, and told them that "the (shopping complex) would not be able to survive without the renovations".

It has, together with the HDB, also helped affected shops find a temporary space elsewhere to carry on their business, while awaiting the completion of upgrading works.

All tenants also enjoy two rent-free months for the renovation, the agency added.

There are currently 21 HDB shopping complexes across the island, comprising a total of 927 shops. The HDB said that upgrading works at the remaining shopping complexes will be carried out progressively.

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