Orchard Central tenants from levels 5 to 12 to move out by end-November; space planned for office use

The tenants are on varying lease terms, with some expiring at the year end, others extended until the mall’s last day of operations, while others have leases that run beyond Nov 30.

SINGAPORE – As early as March, there were murmurs among some tenants of Orchard Central mall about a feasibility study being done by their landlord, though no one knew what it was about or if tenants would be affected.

Inquiries about their leases were met with delayed or holding responses from the leasing team, according to some tenants who spoke to The Straits Times the week of July 13.

Then, a letter dated June 1 arrived from the mall’s landlord, Far East Organization (FEO), informing some tenants that they would have to vacate their units by Nov 30.

The letter, a copy of which ST has seen, said that the landlord will be renovating and refurbishing the mall as part of an asset enhancement initiative, with works to commence on Dec 1.

Tenants on the fifth to eighth floors, as well as levels 11 and 12, will be affected, according to those who spoke to ST. The mall’s carpark occupies its ninth floor.

The tenants are on varying lease terms, with some expiring at the year end, others extended until the mall’s last day of operations, while others have leases that run beyond Nov 30.

The Business Times reported on July 10 that Deloitte has secured a permanent space in Orchard Central, where it will occupy several upper-level floors.

Deloitte said in a social media post the same day that the move will take place in 2027.

Far East Organization, in a July 24 reply to ST, said its planned enhancements, subject to approval from the authorities, include fresh dining options, integration of new public art, and improved pedestrian connectivity to the future revamped Istana Park via a new pedestrian link bridge.

The mall is currently approved for retail, F&B and lifestyle use. In-principle approval has been granted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority for the introduction of offices, alongside existing retail uses.

Marc Boey, FEO’s executive director of property services, said the group believes the next phase of growth for Orchard Road will come from an even stronger mix of retail and lifestyle offerings, homes and workplaces across the precinct.