SINGAPORE — A giant “tree” has taken centre stage at the newly renovated Funan mall.

Called the Tree of Life, the 25-metre tall steel structure — that weighs as much as three massive rain trees — extends from Basement 2 to Level 4.

The structure also features 20 "retail pods", which will be offered to brands and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and conduct classes, said developer CapitaLand.

Mr Chris Chong, CapitaLand Singapore’s managing director of retail, said: “While a decade ago a mall (could) succeed largely on the merit of its tenant brands, today it must be able to anchor its own community of supporters and followers.”

Mr Chong noted that consumers today invest their “time and effort in understanding brands and supporting relevant causes”, adding that the mall’s “passion-led retail model” aims to go “beyond the transactional”.

The revamped mall also features a variety of activities, including indoor rock climbing, a futsal facility and a cooking studio.