Chinatown Business Association Wins Tender Manage Iconic Smith Street Chinatown

By winning the tender for the iconic shophouses along Smith Street, the Chinatown Business Association (CBA) has secured a major victory for the Chinatown community. The CBA is made up of various stakeholders, including business leaders, grassroots leaders, Chinese clan associations, hoteliers, hawkers and retailers, all of whom operate in the Chinatown area. The joint tender, which was launched by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) back in November of last year, sought to appoint a single master tenant to oversee the historic row of shophouses at 11 to 37 Smith Street.The completion of the Smith Street rejuvenation project will bring curated offerings and experiences for both locals and tourists visiting Chinatown Singapore. The CBA has plans to introduce engaging and experiential community programmes, as well as a diverse range of offerings such as creative lifestyle, retail, and co-living/co-working concepts while preserving the area’s cultural and architectural heritage. “We are looking to bring in uniquely Singaporean F&B offerings and international food options for both locals and tourists to enjoy at Smith Street,” says Lim Yick Suan, the executive director of the Chinatown Business Association. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) states that CBA’s proposal of “differentiated lifestyle concepts, complementary programmes, and enhancements to the public realm aims to further promote local Chinese heritage and strengthen the identity of the area”.As the master tenant, the CBA will undertake the integrated management of the shophouses and an adjacent state land plot, which have a total land area of 34,066 sq ft and an estimated gross floor area of 33,065 sq ft. The tender was assessed based on price and the quality of each submitted concept and received five bids when it closed in March. CBA won the tender with a bid of $123,000, beating the highest bid from Noontalk Media of $180,000 and other bids ranging from $108,174 to $53,000. The master tenancy will be for a period of five years, with an option for a second term of four years.According to the Singapore Land Authority, the revitalised Smith Street will feature a new lineup of lifestyle concepts and dining experiences. The CBA’s proposal of “differentiated lifestyle concepts, complementary programmes, and enhancements to the public realm aims to further promote local Chinese heritage and strengthen the identity of the area”. Lim Yick Suan credits the CBA’s long-standing presence in Chinatown as a key factor in winning the tender. With over 20 years of active involvement in the precinct, the CBA has built and nurtured relationships within the community, giving them a deep-rooted connection to the area. The organisation has previously organised a wide range of events, from large-scale festival celebrations such as Five Footway Festival and Dumpling Festival to themed markets, street activities, and workshops. “This experience is unique to CBA, and we hope to leverage on our relationships in the community and knowledge of Chinatown Singapore’s heritage and culture to inject more vibrancy to Smith Street and Chinatown Singapore,” says Lim.

Located next to JEM, Westgate offers visitors a complete shopping haven with a touch of sophistication. This mall caters to families and offers a wide selection of fashion, home, and lifestyle stores. One of its distinctive features is the themed outdoor playground, situated on the rooftop, which is a hit among families with young ones. What makes Westgate even more convenient for residents of Novo Place EC is its seamless connection to the Jurong East MRT station. Novo Place residents can easily access this mall for all their shopping needs.