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Zouk to remain in Jiak Kim Street till year-end

SINGAPORE — Popular nightclub Zouk has received a six-month reprieve — until the end of this year — after the authorities extended its lease in Jiak Kim Street yet again.

SINGAPORE — Popular nightclub Zouk has received a six-month reprieve — until the end of this year — after the authorities extended its lease in Jiak Kim Street yet again.

However, analysts TODAY spoke to said the iconic nightspot’s days at its current premises — which it has occupied for 23 years — are numbered and its relocation imminent.

The site on which Zouk sits is prime land and its surrounding amenities, including Great World City, and its proximity to the city centre are what property developers look for.

Zouk’s lease was to end in 2012, before it was extended until last June and again to June 30 this year. In January, in response to media queries, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Singapore Land Authority and Singapore Tourism Board said they had been working closely with Zouk to identify alternative locations.

Earlier this week, the authorities told TODAY that, in March, they offered the club an extension till Dec 31. When contacted, Zouk said it had no comment.

Under the URA’s Draft Master Plan 2013, the area has been zoned for mixed-use development — residential with first-storey commercial use.

“Zouk sits on prime land with river frontage; the use of the land is planned as such to realise its maximum potential, for example, its economic value,” said Mr Chris Goh, director of property consultancy Chris International.

Nightlife industry veteran Dennis Foo agreed that the latest extension could be the club’s last, “as the value on that real estate has really skyrocketed”.

PropNex chief executive officer Mohamed Ismail did not think Zouk extended its lease repeatedly because it had problems finding a new location. Rather, it was more of a business decision.

“As a business, Zouk has already sunk in costs at the premises, so it will extend for as long as it can and, as long as it does not influence the Master Plan’s timeline, there is no reason for the Government not to extend the lease,” said Mr Ismail.

For years, residents living in the club’s vicinity in Robertson Quay have complained about noise, littering and vandalism by young party-goers, some of whom spill over from Zouk.

The feedback led Ms Indranee Rajah, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, to propose a no-alcohol zone in Robertson Quay.

Ms Indranee told TODAY the proposal is still with the Ministry of Home Affairs. While she had not received complaints of late, she said: “My proposal was made on the assumption that Zouk is in the area. If Zouk was not there, then it is unlikely the youth would congregate there.”

A resident, 28, who wished to be known as Eileen, said: “I will be happy for them (partygoers) to leave because they drink and talk very loudly here, disrupting my baby’s sleep.”

Homemaker Diana van Oers, 45, felt the club need not move, but the authorities could exert “more control”. “I am not so bothered by the noise, but they leave a big mess,” she said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY PAUL LIM

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