Retail Shops In New Underpass

Source : The Straits Times, June 27, 2009

WHEN ION Orchard opens on July 21, the new underpass connecting it to Wheelock Place will have a 'first' in the Orchard-Scotts belt.

The 20 shops along the stretch are food and beverage and mass-appeal fashion outlets. --PHOTO: ST

While the four existing underpasses in the area only connect point A to point B, this fifth, and latest, one features retail shops as well.

Set to open on the same day ION has its soft launch, the 75-m underground stretch will link Orchard MRT, through basement two of ION, to Wheelock Place.

The 20 shops along the stretch are food and beverage and mass-appeal fashion outlets.

Making its reappearance there is Dunkin' Donuts after a decade-long absence.

Brand names such as Itacho Sushi from Hong Kong and footwear label Rubi Shoes will make their debut along the stretch. So will flip-flop brand Havaianas with its first monobrand store. Among the familiar brand names there are Levi's, Mango and Guess.

Currently, there is one major underpass linking Orchard MRT to Tangs Plaza, Scotts Road and Wisma Atria.

There are three underpasses linking Lucky Plaza to Ngee Ann City, Wheelock to Shaw House, and Shaw House to Tangs.

Unlike the CityLink Mall in the City Hall area which has over 50 retail outlets, the existing Orchard underpasses do not have such facilities.

CityLink connects Suntec City, Marina Square, the Esplanade and One Raffles Link to the City Hall MRT.

Read the full report in The Sunday Times.