COME NOVEMBER, RESIDENTS IN THE WEST COAST WILL HAVE A SPANKING NEW 'OASIS' TO chill out at. West Coast Plaza, formerly known as Ginza Plaza, has been given a $26 million makeover which is expected to up its appeal, transforming it into the next ‘it’ place to be.
    With trendy outdoor cafes, alfresco spaces and a variety of lifestyle shops, the cosmopolitan family mall will be well-placed to meet the needs of residents in the area, including a large international student population from the 27 educational institutions — which include the National University of Singapore — within a three-km radius.
    To facilitate their visits, there will even be free shuttle services to bring them to the doorsteps of the mall from Clementi MRT station.
    The mall will also be a magnet for the sizeable catchment of professionals working in the nearby One-North, Science Parks and Pandan Industrial Estate. To that end, a shuttle service connecting to West Coast Plaza will ply the West Coast neighbourhood, Science Parks and NUS (Kent Ridge).
    Tenant mix at the mall’s 188 shops — spread over 160,000 sq ft of nett lettable space — comprises enrichment centres, health and wellness studios, F&B outlets, fashion retailers, banking and medical services, and an 18,000 sq ft supermarket in the basement.
    To drum up awareness about the charms of the three-storey mall, an exciting line-up of events have been planned to herald the mall’s soft opening in November. Besides performances by international dance and music groups, the mall will also be collaborating with schools and institutions in the vicinity to showcase their talents — all for a charitable cause. Mall visitors both young and old can also participate in the gamut of interactive activities planned by the organisers.
    To be sure, even after the pre-opening celebrations, West Coast Plaza is certain to draw residents with its breezy, laid-back vibe, much like the iconic atmosphere of Holland Village. LM