From Edutainment to Residential Living: The Story of JCube Condo in Singapore
From Edutainment to Residential Living: The Story of JCube Condo in Singapore
The JCube mall in Singapore’s Jurong East Central is set to close on the 6th of August 2021. The mall, popularly known as JCube, was the city’s first ‘edutainment’ concept mall, combining entertainment, education and shopping experiences. The mall has been an integral part of the Jurong East Central community since its opening in 2011.
However, it will now make way for a new residential development that will include commercial space on the JCube Condo first and second storeys. The new development, targeted for completion in 2027, is part of the Singapore Government’s plans to bring new homes, businesses, recreation facilities and amenities to the Jurong Lake District.
The new residential development will be linked directly to the Jurong East MRT interchange station, Westgate and IMM Building via J-Walk, an elevated pedestrian network in the district. It will also be linked to the upcoming Jurong East Integrated Transport Hub, which will include an air-conditioned bus interchange, a public library, a community club and a sports centre, among other commercial spaces.
JCube was home to Singapore’s only Olympic-size ice-skating rink and was a training venue for national athletes from the Singapore Ice Skating Association and the Singapore Ice Hockey Association. The only other ice rink in Singapore is located at Leisure Park Kallang.
In response to the closure of the rink, Sport Singapore said that it is working with the respective national sports associations to look for alternative facilities to support athletes’ training needs. Recreational figure skater, Willis Lau, 24, called the closure of the ice rink a shame and said that it will mean that many skaters would lose a key practice venue.
The Jurong Lake District development is expected to become Singapore’s largest business district outside the central area and will provide about 100,000 new jobs and 20,000 new homes between 2040 and 2050. The development is expected to be launched for sale in the second half of 2023.
CapitaLand, the developer of JCube, said that it is working closely with the tenants of the mall and providing the necessary support to ensure a smooth handover of the premises. Edwin Lim, a co-founder of PastaGo, a JCube tenant, said that the company is hoping to find a suitable replacement in Jurong due to its ideal demographic and vibrant food and beverage scene.
As Singapore continues to develop and urbanize, it is inevitable that some of the older malls and edutainment concepts will have to make way for new residential developments. Although the closure of JCube will be a loss to the ice-skating community, the new residential development is set to bring more jobs, homes and amenities to the Jurong Lake District.
The new development is expected to be launched for sale in 2023 and it is expected to become Singapore’s largest business district outside of the central area. With its convenient location and amenities, the JCube residential development is set to become a prime residential address.
The Singaporean community is no stranger to redevelopment projects. The latest to join the list is the much-loved JCube Shopping Mall in Jurong East, which is set to be transformed into a residential development by the end of 2023. The mall, which first opened its doors in 2011, was a hub for edutainment and entertainment, and saw a steady stream of visitors over the past decade.
For many, the mall was a place to meet friends, grab a bite to eat, take in some entertainment, or just to pass the time. It was a popular spot for families, as it offered a range of activities for kids, from movie screenings to ice skating. The mall also featured several educational and edutainment activities, including art exhibitions, workshops and seminars.
But now, the JCube Shopping Mall will soon be replaced by a residential development that will include commercial space on the first and second storeys. The new project, which is being developed by CapitaLand Development (Singapore) (CLD), is targeted for completion in 2027.
The new development will offer a range of residential units, from studio apartments to four-bedroom apartments, as well as a range of amenities such as a swimming pool, a gym and a playground. It will also include a range of commercial space, such as retail stores, cafes and restaurants, to cater to the needs of the local community.
While the change may be a difficult one for the community to stomach, it is nevertheless a necessary step in order to keep up with the changing needs of the community. The new development will help to provide much-needed housing in the area, as well as job opportunities for locals. It will also help to boost the economic activity of the area, as more people move into the area and local businesses benefit from the increased foot traffic.
The impending closure of the mall has also put a strain on some of the employees who worked at the various retailers in the mall. Many of them have been caught by surprise by the news, as they were not informed of the closure until the announcement was made.
CapitaLand Development (Singapore) (CLD) has said it is working closely with the existing tenants of JCube and providing them with the necessary support to ensure a smooth handover of the premises. It has also said that notices were sent by registered mail and emails to the authorised representatives of JCube tenants, before a news release was issued around noon on Feb 7, 2023 to inform shoppers and the general public about the redevelopment.
The impending closure of JCube Shopping Mall is a bittersweet moment for the local community. While the mall was a beloved spot for many, the new residential development is an opportunity for the area to grow and evolve. It will help to provide much-needed housing, as well as economic activity to the area. It is also a chance for the local community to come together and create something new and exciting.
At the end of August 2023, JCube Shopping Mall will close its doors for the last time. But the memory of its contribution to the local community will live on, as the new residential development takes its place. From edutainment to residential living, the story of JCube is one that will be remembered for years to come.