Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Sengkang’s Compass One to open with fresh look on Sept 1

SINGAPORE — Close to a year of renovation work and two name changes later, the much-talked-about Compass One mall is finally opening its doors on Thursday (Sept 1).

Compass One sports a more modern and contemporary look compared to its previous nautical theme. Photo: Sonia Yeo

Compass One sports a more modern and contemporary look compared to its previous nautical theme. Photo: Sonia Yeo

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

SINGAPORE — Close to a year of renovation work and two name changes later, the much-talked-about Compass One mall is finally opening its doors on Thursday (Sept 1).

The revitalised mall, located at Sengkang and formerly known as Compass Point, will see a change from its previous appearance — where the mall had sported a nautical theme. They decided to change it as they felt that the theme of a ship was “quite an old concept”, said Ms Sharon Tan, Compass One’s general manager.

“If you look at the new shopping centres, they are usually not themed. They are quite modern and contemporary, and I think for us, I felt it was high time we did something (about it). And this was a good opportunity for us,” she noted, adding that they took the chance to renovate their toilets and lifts as well.

Compass One will sport a new concept, A Beautiful Blossom, which depicts the transformation it went through from an “old, tired (and) dusty-looking mall” to its current modern furnishings. “We see it blossoming into something new,” Ms Tan pointed out.

There will be a total of 208 tenants, up from the previous 125, and about 80 per cent of them will be open when the mall throws open its doors. These includes long-time tenants such as Cold Storage supermarket, fast food chain Pizza Hut, Popular book store and children’s and maternity products retailer Kiddy Palace, while new retailers include tech retailer Challenger, optical shop Owndays and Korean dessert Wicked Swing Snow.

The basement of the mall has also received a facelift, with more than eight takeaway kiosks hawking snacks and drinks such as Gong Cha and Umi Sushi. New entrants include Barcelona’s hit shaved gelato specialist Eyescream and Friends, which is launching its first outlet in Singapore there. Another new tenant is Hong Kong Sheng Kee Pau, a new extension of Hong Kong Sheng Kee Dessert, which will be offering snacks such as fried char siew baos and and mini custard buns.

Additional new offerings includes a wet and dry playground located at the top level (Level 4) of Compass One. The playground will have an interactive element — music plays when kids step onto the play area.

Anchor tenant Kopitiam food court will only be opening in two weeks, while the bigger Sengkang Public Library that will occupy two levels will only be opening in early 2017.

Residents TODAY spoke to are elated about its opening. Housewife Jenny Tan, 53, said she “can’t wait to go in and shop and eat when it opens tomorrow”. Student Wenshun, 16, who has stayed in the area for over 10 years, said she finds it “quite heartwarming that some of the old stores are still here”.

Ultimately, Ms Tan hopes that shoppers will “like our new look and enjoy the new offerings, tenants and space”. “I think it’s a great beginning for our Sengkang area,” she said.

The mall’s operators drew criticism back in December after it awarded the winner of its naming contest to a woman who had suggested 1 Sengkang Mall, with many calling it boring. They changed it to Compass One, after getting feedback that people missed the old name.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.