Marina Square closure: 5 things about the 40-year-old mall
The iconic steps leading to the mall was a popular meet-up place in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Marina Square shopping centre is set to close on March 31, 2027, after being a part of the bustling urban landscape for over 40 years. The redevelopment project, slated for completion in 2031, will see the mall transformed into a luxury residential area, serviced apartments, and office spaces boasting a gross floor area of more than 360,000 square meters. Additionally, the revamp will introduce a 304-key hotel, placing guests in close proximity to the marvellous Marina Bay area.
Originally known as "Marina Centre," the three-hotels-and-two-level shopping mall complex was completed in 1986 and officially opened in 1988. The property developer, Singapore Land Group (SingLand), renamed it "Marina Square" in late 1983, as it only occupied a part of the 50-hectare reclaimed land called Marina Centre. The mall was flanked by three hotels - Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, and Pan Pacific Singapore - and is conveniently located near MRT stations City Hall, Esplanade, and Promenade.
In its heyday, the mall was home to more than 200 shops, encompassing various retail categories such as fashion, food and beverages, children's products, and lifestyle concepts. In 2013, the mall launched a food wing called The Dining Edition, featuring restaurants, bistros, and a food hall. A new wing was added in the last quarter of 2015, boasting a fresh facade, an Outdoor Piazza, and a Level 3 Roof Garden.
Anchor tenants during the late 1980s and 1990s included department stores Tokyu and Metro, with John Little relocating its flagship store to Marina Square in 2007 before closing in 2015. Marina Leisureplex, a cinema complex, operated from 1996 until 2014 when Golden Village moved to Suntec City. Today, Marina Square continues to serve as a prime vantage point for major events in the vicinity, including Formula One races and the National Day Parade.
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