Raffles Arcade re-opens after two-year renovation

Singapore

THE iconic Raffles Arcade - part of Raffles Hotel Singapore along Beach Road - re-opened on Thursday after a two-year long renovation.

Home to lifestyle, retail and social spaces, the arcade has 21 confirmed tenants currently on board. They include London-based Burger & Lobster, which will be opening its flagship restaurant in Singapore later this year.

As a nod to the Jubilee Theatre which stood at the same location in the 1930s, the Jubilee Hall was converted to become a 300-guest ballroom.

Named the Jubilee Ballroom and decked in hues of cream and gold, the 5,199 square foot ballroom boasts an air-conditioned pre-event foyer and is best-suited for weddings and galas.

The Raffles Gift Shop has also undergone a face-lift to become the Raffles Boutique.

Its selection of gifts include kaya paste and Singapore Sling jam in packaging that has been specially designed for Raffles Hotel.

Home to a heritage gallery as well, the Raffles Boutique will also showcase relics from the hotel's 132-year history. These include a Christmas Day banquet menu dating back to 1954 and a photo of the late Mr and Mrs Lee Kuan Yew's wedding reception, held at the Raffles Hotel in September 1950.

While Raffles Hotel - which is about to complete its own restoration soon - has a lot of heritage behind its name, it is also forging ahead by bringing new tenants into its fold, such as co-working space operator The Great Room and luxury luggage brand Rimowa. These join the arcade's returning tenants including The Hour Glass and Leica.

Design gallery Art Matters will also open its doors and showcase works from the art world's all-time greats such as Picasso, Monet, Ai Wei Wei and Yayoi Kusama. Another retailer on the block is The AC Boutique, which carries products from multiple Singapore-based brands.

"Moving with the times, our modern retail vision takes shape with a marriage between tradition and modernity," said Raffles Hotel Singapore general manager Christian Westbeld.

Speaking to reporters at the arcade's re-opening, he said: "We are welcoming everybody but the real success of this restoration, including the arcade, would be how Singapore and Singaporeans embrace us after the restoration as a true icon of Singapore."

Mr Westbeld was joined at a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Singapore Tourism Board chief executive Keith Tan, who was the event's guest of honour.