Lucky Plaza

Lucky Plaza is a shopping centre located in Orchard in Singapore.

This article is about the shopping centre in Orchard Road, Singapore. For the private housing estate in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, see Lucky Plaza, Hong Kong.

Lucky Plaza
LocationOrchard, Singapore
Coordinates1°18′16.11″N 103°50′01.88″E
Address304 Orchard Road
Opening date1977 (Podium),[1] 1981 (Apartment)
DeveloperFar East Organization, Ng Teng Fong
Websiteluckyplaza.com.sg

Built by developer Far East Organization, Lucky Plaza was completed in 1981 and has proven to be one of the more successful shopping centres in Singapore during its heyday.[2]

History

Before Lucky Plaza was built in 1977, Champion Motors stood at 304 Orchard Road.[3] The move-in of Champion Motors transformed Orchard Road into Singapore's ‘Motor Row’, displaying branded automobiles along the streets, and introducing the first-ever Volkswagen into Singapore. This form of brandishing signified the growing wealth in Singapore after the Second World War.

The 1960s heralded the explosive growth of the mass commercial aviation, facilitating the in-flow of tourists across the world.[4] This helped the State to identify the tourist market as having a massive growth potential – boost income, job and trade opportunities, and in 1963, the former Minister for Culture S. Rajaratnam, announced plans to develop tourism as a major industry in Singapore.[5] Thus, the newly-formed STPB was appointed to carry out this massive plan. However, the private sector faced the challenge of limited resources to promote Singapore abroad as a tourist destination. This led to the State's effort to increase its funding for the development of the tourism industry in Singapore. One of the first places to be developed was the area of Orchard Road, where many hotels were erected. Therefore, beginning in the 1960s, Orchard Road began to undergo massive transformation, and the area was zoned for retail.[6] By the early 1970s, Orchard Road had already attained its status as the 'IN' shopping area and gained an international recognition as a shopping paradise in Singapore.[7]

Following the developments along Orchard Road, however, property values within this prime area began to grow, and motor traders were 'forced' to 'evacuate'.[8] By the late 1970s, many brands, including Volkswagen, shifted to Leng Kee Road and Alexandra Road, transforming the area into Singapore's new ‘Motor Road’.

The ‘exodus’ of the motor traders brought in the land developers. During the 60s and 70s, North Bridge Road and High Street were known as the prime dining and shopping areas in Singapore, accommodating many well-known retail stalwarts, e.g. Metro, Takral and Majeed Textiles.[9] On the other hand, at that time, Orchard Road was 'a leafy street lined with double-story shophouses'. Mr. Ng Teng Fong, the founder of Far East Organization, foresaw the shifting taste for better shopping and dining choice and envisioned the need for a 'vibrant main shopping street' in Singapore. Thus, Far East Organization became the first to venture into the development of Orchard Road, starting off with Far East Shopping Centre in 1974, followed by Lucky Plaza in 1977.

In 1978, many expected the 736 strata units and 30-storey commercial cum residential building (Lucky Plaza) to become a 'white elephant', despite that it was then one of the most expensive and largest development undertaken by a private developer.[9] Little did they expect that Lucky Plaza would turn into a huge success in 1978, drawing in waves of eager shoppers, mostly wealthy local shoppers who lived in Tanglin and Cairnhill areas, and Malaysians and Indonesians.[10] Lucky Plaza, designed by BEP Akitek Pte Ltd, pioneered the concept of a modern shopping mall – e.g. open vertical 'bazaar' as; the first multi-storey, fully air-conditioned shopping centre in the world; first golden bubble lift in South East Asia; well-designed positions of voids, foyers and concourses throughout the Plaza; wide corridors along shopping arcade; wide glass panels on both fronts of the shop for attractive display of goods. Such features won Lucky Plaza a mention in the National Geographic magazine. Furthermore, in the early years of its launch, small-scale businesses and individual shops selling luxury products such as jewellery, antiques, handicrafts and branded watches occupied the storefronts of Lucky Plaza.

On March 12, 2013, fast-food chain Jollibee opened its first branch in Singapore on the 6th floor of Lucky Plaza.[11]

Back in 2014, there was an oversupply of retail spaces in Singapore.[12] These retail spaces were closer to neighbourhoods and away from the city area. The convenience of these suburban malls caused consumers to stay within their region to shop causing Orchard Road to suffer. In addition, newer malls within the City area have also affected the Lucky Plaza businesses.

Tenants in Lucky Plaza also suffered heavy losses from the heavy rain in 2015. The heavy rain resulted in leakages in the ceilings and damaging the property of the unitholders.[13]

On 29 December 2019, six Filipino domestic helpers were struck by a car that sped out of control outside Lucky Plaza's apartment block, with two of the victims killed instantly. The 64-year-old driver was arrested for reckless driving causing death.[14][15][16]

Architecture

BEP Akitek Pte Ltd. developed the concept of an open vertical 'bazaar' as to its central position in the middle of the Orchard Road tourist district.

The prime location prompted the idea of placing the traditional arcade 'on end' in the form of a series of stacked galleries, interconnected by escalators and glass lifts, around a high open space. These internal pedestrian streets are linked to that outside and a multi-storey carpark at the rear at several not too convenient points.

Amenities
The bus stop along Orchard Road near the main entrance to Lucky Plaza.

Lucky Plaza has a range of shops selling electronics, perfume and cosmetics, shoes and sports goods.

There is a food court in the basement that sells local fare. Other food joints in the building include McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Jollibee's and other eateries, including the main branch of an Ayam Penyet chain.

References
  2. A Study of Planned Shopping Centres in Singapore By Loo Lee Sim, Sim Loo Lee (1984; ISBN 9971-69-079-9) Page 55
  3. Volksmag: Our Singapore Story (PDF). Singapore: Volkswagen. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  4. A Journey Through 50 Years & Beyond STB Annual Report 2013/2014. Singapore: Singapore Tourism Board. 2013–2014.
  5. Ho, Stephanie (2015). Singapore Tourism Board. Singapore: National Library Board Singapore.
  6. WHANG, RENNIE. "Who's Who of Orchard Road". The Straits Times. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  7. "Far East Organization to build $100 million LUCKY PLAZA at Orchard Road's Golden Site Adjacent to C. K. Tang". New Nation. 10 February 1972.
  8. Volksmag: Our Singapore Story (PDF). Singapore: Volkswagen. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  9. FAR EAST ORGANIZATION Building an Enduring Enterprise. Singapore: FAR EAST ORGANIZATION.
  10. Zhang, Juan (2005). "ETHNIC BOUNDARIES REDEFINED: THE EMERGENCE OF THE "PERMANENT OUTSIDERS" IN SINGAPORE". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. migration (3 July 2013). "Jollibee at Lucky Plaza is the brand's top performing outlet worldwide". The Straits Times. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  12. Shaffer, Leslie (25 October 2016). "Singapore's commercial property faces a gloomy outlook. Here's why". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  13. hermesauto (9 July 2015). "Ceiling leaks at Lucky Plaza after heavy rain". The Straits Times. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  14. "2 dead, 4 injured after car accident at Lucky Plaza shopping centre; driver arrested". Channel News Asia. 29 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  15. "Two of the six Filipina victims in Lucky Plaza accident were sisters: Philippine Embassy". Today. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  16. "64-year-old driver arrested for accident at Lucky Plaza; 2 pedestrians killed, 4 injured". Today. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  • Norman Edwards, Peter Keys (1996), Singapore – A Guide to Buildings, Streets, Places, Times Books International, ISBN 9971-65-231-5
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