The Cathay to Reopen in April after 2-Year Renovation

By
Noreen Shazreen
-
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The Cathay at Dhoby Ghaut is set to welcome visitors again in April after undergoing extensive renovations for nearly two years.

The mall, which closed in August 2023, is in its final stages of preparation for a grand reopening.

In a Facebook reel published on 19 March, Cathay Malls teased the comeback with the caption: “The wait will be over soon. Are you ready?”

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Image: Facebook (Cathay Malls)

The reopening comes slightly behind schedule, as the mall was originally targeted to reopen before Christmas 2024.

New Retail Offerings

When Mothership visited the location on 20 March, the mall remained closed to the public but displayed several new storefronts.

Shoppers can look forward to an updated mix of retail and dining options, including Chinese lifestyle retailer Miniso, Japanese F&B chain Yakiniku Like, and Indonesian coffee shop Fore Coffee among its new tenants.

A spokesperson for The Cathay had previously stated that patrons could anticipate “a refreshing and eclectic tenant mix with a differentiated experience” upon the mall’s reopening.

Extensive Renovation Project

The redevelopment marks the first major revamp for The Cathay since 2003.

The renovation works began in August 2023, with all mall tenants moving out by 18 August that year.

While the mall underwent renovations, residents of The Cathay Residences, located on the 6th to 17th floors of the building, remained unaffected. They continued to access their apartments through a private main entrance on Mount Sophia.

Historical Significance

The Cathay, built in 1939, is a mixed-use 17-storey building housing cinema, retail, and residential spaces on Handy Road.

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The front facade of its theatre building structure was gazetted as a national monument for conservation in February 2003.

The building’s famed cinema, the Cathay Cineplex, closed on 27 June 2022, after 83 years of operations. The space was temporarily occupied by independent cinema operator The Projector as a pop-up for movie screenings.

Part of a Broader Redevelopment

The revamp of The Cathay is part of a “planned facelift of Dhoby Ghaut” and the surrounding vicinity, according to a spokesperson for the mall.

The renovation project was undertaken by DP Architects, which previously designed notable Singapore landmarks including the Golden Mile Complex, Esplanade, and the HometeamNS Khatib Recreation Centre.

Prior to its closure, The Cathay had reportedly experienced declining footfall, particularly during the pandemic period. Unoccupied units were visible throughout the building, and popular brands such as Adidas and Ben & Jerry’s had ceased operations at the location.

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The reopening of The Cathay is anticipated to inject new life into the Dhoby Ghaut area, providing shoppers with fresh retail and dining experiences in this historic Singapore landmark.

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Noreen Shazreen
Email: [email protected]