Exciting Changes and Transformation at Dhoby Ghaut

The Dhoby Ghaut area is set to undergo significant enhancements, with upgrades scheduled to be completed progressively from 2025. These improvements will provide visitors with more recreational options and a pedestrian-friendly, car-free environment. A 500-meter stretch of Orchard Road between Buyong and Handy roads will be pedestrianized, while the 1.3-hectare Istana Park will be expanded to nearly three times its current size, incorporating green spaces like Dhoby Ghaut Green and the Penang Road Open Space.
Traffic from the pedestrianized section of Orchard Road, currently a one-way, five-lane road, will be diverted to Penang Road. This diversion will necessitate converting a portion of Penang Road into a two-way street. The National Parks Board (NParks) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) have indicated that these upgrades are part of a 2020 plan to transform Orchard Road into a "lush green corridor."
The expanded Istana Park, situated opposite the Istana's main gate, will integrate spaces previously designated for other uses. The park will cover two plots, including the Penang Road Open Space, zoned for commercial and residential use, and Dhoby Ghaut Green, zoned for commercial use. This pedestrianized stretch will enhance the integration of the park with the Istana entrance and nearby commercial establishments.
New developments will include an orchid-themed garden in the Penang Road Open Space and a nature play area in Dhoby Ghaut Green. The proximity of Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, which serves three lines, is expected to increase footfall and encourage longer visits if the pedestrianized spaces are well-designed for easy access.
Phased diversion works will aim to minimize commuter disruption. Any necessary expansion of Penang Road will use existing space without affecting the House of Tan Yeok Nee, a national monument part of VisionCrest Orchard. Orchard Road will also see the addition of pocket parks, gardens, and multi-layered planting featuring herbs, spices, and fruit trees.
Recent developments have also included the sale of Delfi Orchard to City Development (CDL), sparking speculation about its potential redevelopment along with Orchard Hotel. This may lead to another collective sale attempt for Orchard Towers, which previously failed in 2023. UOL’s Faber House is also set for redevelopment from an eight-story commercial building to a nineteen-story hotel with 200 keys, a bank, and an urban veranda with F&B establishments, embodying a 'City in Nature' concept with cascading waterfalls and cliff-like vertical landscaping.
Additionally, the compound of Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCCS) at Emerald Hill is being considered for future cultural and lifestyle uses by URA and the Singapore Tourism Board.
An interesting development reported by Channel News Asia on July 30, 2024, highlighted a 30% increase in footfall at Dhoby Ghaut MRT retail center. This surge is partly due to the opening of Alliance Medical Centre, offering advanced medical devices like AI-powered cameras for eye disease detection and osteoporosis risk assessment machines. The strategic location, linking three MRT lines, makes it an ideal spot for corporate healthcare providers. Business workers and weekend visitors are also drawn to special events hosted by Staytion Lifestyle and the excellent F&B outlets in the area.
In the heart of Dhoby Ghaut, VisionCrest Orchard is one of the beneficiaries from this transformation. This Grade A commercial building is undergoing upgrade and asset enhancement. Occupants will enjoy the fruits of this transformation.
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