CQ @ Clarke Quay PHOTOS
(Singapore, 26 April 2024) The rejuvenated CQ @ Clarke Quay has been officially unveiled, marking the culmination of an asset enhancement initiative (AEI) that has transformed the development into an iconic riverfront day-and-night destination. Owned by CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT) and managed by CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI), CQ @ Clarke Quay is now a vibrant hub of excitement and entertainment with an expanded range of day activities and nightlife attractions for locals and tourists.
(From left to right) The launch ceremony was graced by Mr Tony Tan, CEO, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust Management Limited, Ms Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board; Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry; Mr Andrew Lim, Group COO, CapitaLand Investment; and Mr Lim Eng Hwee, CEO, Urban Redevelopment Authority. (FLOYD COWAN PHOTO)
With the completion of the AEI which commenced in August 2022, CQ @ Clarke Quay has about 60 dining, retail and lifestyle concepts, achieving a strong occupancy of 93% to date. CQ @ Clarke Quay has refreshed its tenant mix by introducing more than 50% new concepts, comprising international and homegrown brands. This dynamic transformation is in tandem with the ongoing urban renewal of the Singapore River precinct to incorporate more leisure amenities as well as residential and hospitality developments.
Igniting a new era: CQ @ Clarke Quay
The unveiling ceremony was graced by the Guest-of-Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Ministry of Trade & Industry. Representatives from CapitaLand, industry partners, tenants, media, and members of the public were present at the event. Guests were treated to a spectacular showcase of entertainment and cultural experiences, meticulously curated to delight visitors. This included a drone show that traced the rich tapestry of CQ @ Clarke Quay’s history, from its origins as a bustling riverport trading district to the vibrant riverfront lifestyle destination it has become today.
Fairprice Finest Clarke Quay
Mr Tony Tan, CEO of the manager of CICT, said: “Guided by our value creation strategy, we regularly review our asset plans to optimise and future-proof our properties through AEIs. The repositioning of CQ @ Clarke Quay as a vibrant day-and-night destination with more diversified offerings will further strengthen the resilience of our portfolio. We expect CQ @Clarke Quay to see strong demand from tourists and locals as the Singapore River precinct evolves. With the upgraded sustainability features at the property, CQ @ Clarke Quay’s green rating has been elevated to Green Mark GoldPLUS. With this, all 21 properties in our Singapore portfolio have achieved a minimum rating of Green Mark Gold by the Building and Construction Authority.”
Mr Chris Chong, CEO, Retail & Workspace (Singapore & Malaysia), CLI said: “Through strategic enhancements and active placemaking efforts, we have transformed CQ @ Clarke Quay into a dynamic and immersive environment for visitors to enjoy, solidifying its position as a day-and-night destination for leisure, dining and entertainment. Beyond preserving the rich heritage of Clarke Quay, we have injected fresh energy into the precinct, integrating new retail and lifestyle experiences, including the introduction of pet-friendly amenities that cater to the diverse preferences of our visitors.”
Redefining day-and-night experiences
The day-and-night concepts are spread across three zones:
● The Riverfront (Blocks A and D) features riverside dining in an alfresco or heritage shophouse setting;
● The Warehouses (Block B) offers an exciting blend of retail, lifestyle and F&B concepts in a conserved godown; and
● The Circuit (Block C and E) showcases high-energy concepts, entertainment and F&B establishments.
New concepts at CQ @ Clarke Quay include Fairprice Finest Clarke Quay, which offers a wide range of products curated in collaboration with Singapore-based partners. Its Grocer Food Hall, a food experience zone, offers “You Pick, We Cook” services as well as curated cocktails infused with local flavours that are exclusive to CQ @ Clarke Quay.
Swee Lee Clarke Quay - its largest outlet in Singapore
Another new concept is Swee Lee Clarke Quay, which devoted approximately 60% of the repurposed warehouse unit to curate an experiential and community space. The musical instrument store houses a bar and café, an artist lounge, vinyl listening stations, a creator corner with music editing set-ups and a large hall that doubles as a dining space and performance venue.
Opening in 3Q 2024, wellness enthusiasts can embark on a holistic fitness journey with LAVA, offering three exciting new concepts: Reformer Pilates, Kickboxing, and Electro Muscle Stimulation training.
Visitors looking for day to night activities can check out Home Singapore. By day, Home Dawn welcomes visitors with delicious brunch specialties; at sundown, Home Dusk transitions into an electrifying live music lounge. Alongside these are newly added dining establishments such as IL Clay Supper Club, a Neapolitan-style pizzeria and bar concept by renowned Naples-born Chef Ciro Sorrentino and French bistro, Jule s by Chef Laurent Brouard.
Home Dawn
There are also a variety of late-night entertainment offerings for those looking to take the fun to the wee hours. The line-up includes new Mexican taqueria Señor Taco offering mezcal and handcrafted agave cocktails, Mexican cuisine and Latin live band, arcade bar Level Up as well as homegrown icon Zouk and K.STAR Karaoke which features 22 futuristic-themed rooms. Along the riverfront are live music bars with international cuisine such as Chupitos, Cuba Libre Café & Bar, Little Saigon, Octapas by El Mesa, Simply Retro and Warehouse.
Home Dusk
Enhancing CQ @ Clarke Quay with pet-friendly amenities
Beyond the diverse array of day-and-night options, CQ @ Clarke Quay has also unveiled a comprehensive suite of pet-friendly amenities, catering to the needs of valued visitors and their furry companions. These amenities include well-placed pet hydration bays, waste bins, and designated pet parking zones, providing convenience to visitors. Furthermore, pet owners can enjoy dining at a selection of eight pet-friendly establishments along the picturesque riverside, each labelled with pet-friendly logos for easy identification.
CQ @ Clarke Quay will also be introducing Fort Canine Swimming Club in 3Q 2024, which provides grooming services, an active daycare programme and curated amenities tailored for the ultimate canine experience.
Swee Lee Clarke Quay
Blending heritage with modernity
A key focus of the AEI was to preserve the rich heritage and cultural legacy of CQ @ Clarke Quay, while enhancing it with modern and exciting offerings. Seven warehouses have been restored by preserving their godown typology while adorning them in new colours. Heritage jack roofs were also reinstated and glass skylights were incorporated to draw natural light in.
The façade of the warehouses along Tan Tye Place has also been painted with a mural by local artists Yip Yew Chong and tobyato that is inspired by Clarke Quay’s heritage as a Teochew enclave. Upgraded steps that double up as seats have also been added to the landing of Read Bridge, paying tribute to the Bridge’s historical role as a communal space.
Complemented by a new accessibility ramp, these seats incorporate upcycled wood pieces from the Twa Kows, historical cargo vessels that were previously located at CQ @ Clarke Quay.
Upgraded sustainability features
Another key enhancement at the revamped CQ @ Clarke Quay is its focus on sustainability. Approximately 34% of the AEI cost was allocated towards improving operational efficiency and integrating sustainable building features. One notable improvement is the reduction of daytime ambient temperature, which enhances the comfort of the property’s inner streets. To achieve this, existing Angel canopies have been upgraded with advanced ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) membranes that optimises daylight condition and reduce solar heat gain by 70% along all internal streets. New omni-directional fans have also been installed, lowering the environmental temperature by approximately 2°C through evaporative mist cooling, reducing energy consumption by approximately 50%. These green features have collectively enabled CQ @ Clarke Quay to achieve 1.03 million kilowatt-hour per year of energy savings, equivalent to powering the annual electricity consumption of about 240 four room HDB flats.
Rediscovering CQ @ Clarke Quay through an exciting line-up of activities
Visitors can look forward to a series of events and activations at CQ @ Clarke Quay in the upcoming months. From now until 2 June, CHANEL will be hosting the CHANEL Parfumeur Masterclass: A Fragrance Experience @ Clarke Quay. Visitors are invited to discover the savoir-fair,
craftsmanship and expertise of the house via a unique and immersive experience. In addition, kicking off the month of May is the Singapore HeritageFest. From 1 to 26 May, the new “Project Godown – Secrets of Clarke Quay” tour with Tribe Tours will be launched. Embark on a captivating time travel adventure through CQ @ Clarke Quay to uncover stories of the iconic godowns and shophouses along the Singapore River. There will also be fun-filled day activities, contests and giveaways for furry friends in the third quarter of 2024.