Check out first images of the mall’s cool design and features
Photos: CapitaLand
It’s been nearly three years since the Funan DigitaLife Mall closed for an ambitious $560 million renovation, and now the wait is nearly over. Rebranded as simply “Funan,” the mall on North Bridge Road will reopen its doors to the public next month on 28 June 2019.
Spanning approximately 887,000 sq ft, the revamped Funan is about 85% larger than its former space. This means we can look forward to a great number of retail and dining offerings, and other facilities. 20 retail brands get probably the best spot in the building, featured on the eye-catching pod “branches” of the Tree of Life, Funan’s design centrepiece.
Standing at a striking 25 metres, and made mostly of steel, the Tree of Life is a visual symbol of the mall’s urban garden theme. In its function, the structure represents the mall’s dedication to supporting designers and entrepreneurs, promoting the sense of creativity and curiosity. The 20 retail pods provide a platform for both emerging and established brands to not only put up their products for sale, but also conduct classes and workshops for the public.
Further emphasising the innovative modern design of the new Funan is another towering visual work, this time on the mall’s facade. If you’re walking opposite North Bridge Road and you wonder what time it is, just look toward the Funan and its huge multimedia art installation will tell you. Its tall aluminium display announce the date and time in playful animation.
The Kinetic Wall also hints at the mall’s many exciting sports facilities. They include a TFX fitness centre, an indoor rock climbing gym from Climb Central, and a futsal facility by The Ark. The excellent variety of sports, especially those growing in popularity today, makes Funan a great place to visit for anyone interested in trying out new types of sports. Office workers in Funan or the CBD, you will soon have the perfect excuse to take a break from your desk and pop by the mall for a quick sweat session!
For those who like to get a workout in early, cycling to work has never been more smooth when you have an indoor cycling path cutting through the mall!
No need to worry about searching everywhere for a spot to park your bike during the morning peak hour; simply keep on cycling past the entrance of Funan and along the 200m cycling path. (During the mall’s operating hours from 10am to 10pm, it’s best to dismount and push your bicycle along the path.) Park your bike at one of the 166 bicycle bays. Or take it all the way to the Bicycle Hub, where you can find shower cabins, lockers, and a bicycle repair and pump station. If you’re rushing for time, head to one of the counters where you can enjoy a quick bite while sitting on your bicycle.
Apart from sports and fitness, Funan also places a focus on the creative arts. Fans of Singapore theatre can visit the W!ld Rice 350-seat theatre inside the mall, while there will be a Golden Village cineplex to serve moviegoers in the area. Get a little hands-on with a delicious kind of art at the ABC Cooking Studio!
While the Tree of Life may be more of visual symbol of nature, Funan also brings visitors closer to real nature through its large urban farm and Food Garden. The urban farm lies in the sprawling Food Garden, occupying the seventh floor of the mall and fully open to the public. Get right up to smell and touch the over 50 varieties of edible plants, and learn more about how how vegetables are produced and harvested in Singapore. Then, have a taste of some of its harvests at the Japanese farm-to-table restaurant Noka, located next to the farm.
Given that few local urban farms that invite the public in, the urban farm at Funan should definitely be at the top of your list when you check out the new mall with your family and friends.
109 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179097
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