Upcoming Malls @ Orchard

Two new retail malls are set to lift shoppng to a new level in the Orchard Road shopping belt come late 2008. Mega details of the ION Orchard on Orchard Turn and Orchard Central were unveiled barely hours within each other yesterday, both boasting "out-of-the-box" shop spaces and spectacular architectural designs.

ION Orchard, meaning "I on Orchard", is set to be the new "centre of gravity" in the prime Orchard shopping belt, showcasing upscale shops and luxury apartments. Strategically located at the junction of Orchard and Paterson roads, the ION Orchard is the retail component of the retail-cum-luxury residential Orchard Turn Development.

Orchard Central, 'Out of the box' shop spaces. Breaking out of the traditional "three walls and a roller shutter" routine will be one of Orchard Central's main aims. The mall will contain an innovative mix of underground shops, ramp shops, restaurants with outdoor balcony seating and a special "jewel box" - a glass-fronted shop which will hang in mid-air outside the premises.

Similar to the ION Orchard, it will house some 400 shops and food outlets, and will attract luxury brand tenants to establish their flagship concept stores. The developers have announced the mall's extended opening hours - 11am to 11pm daily, surely good news for the 'diehard' shopper.