JCube, located in Jurong East, is set to close its doors on August 7, 2023, to make way for an upcoming residential development. CapitaLand Development (Singapore) (CLD) announced on Tuesday (Feb 7) that the shopping mall will be redeveloped into a 40-storey residential development. The development is slated for completion in 2027 and will include commercial space on the first and second storeys.

The closure of JCube has caught many of its retail staff and tenants by surprise. Some of them learned about the mall’s closing date from social media, while others were informed by their management. Mr Noelle Kok, owner of a local food and beverage outlet at JCube, said he was aware of the closure even before signing the contract. He added that his shop was meant to be a pop-up store, and its contract was supposed to end in late April.

CLD has stated that notices were sent to the authorised representatives of JCube tenants before the news was released. The developer is also working closely with the existing tenants of JCube to provide them with the necessary support to ensure a smooth handover of the premises. CLD has invited tenants who require assistance to approach them directly for discussions.

The proposed redevelopment of JCube was first hinted at in July 2022 when the Urban Redevelopment Authority published a proposed amendment to the masterplan on rezoning the site from commercial to residential with commercial. The 40-storey residential development is expected to be a mixed-use development, with retail and leisure components.

The JCube Condo closure of JCube has also sparked sadness among some of its employees, as they have worked and lived in Jurong East for many years. Michael Chong, an outlet executive at pawn shop ValueMax, said he was a bit sad as he had passed by the mall almost every day.

The redevelopment of JCube is an important milestone in the transformation of Jurong East. It marks the dawn of a new era for the area, which is set to become a vibrant, modern and liveable neighborhood. With the new residential development, JCube’s legacy will live on, ensuring that the mall is remembered fondly by those who treasured its presence.

CapitaLand Development (CLD) recently announced its plans to redevelop the JCube site in Jurong East Central into a 40-storey residential development. This move follows the government’s vision to create a vibrant and liveable Jurong Lake District, which will bring more businesses, recreational facilities, and amenities to the region.

The new development will be connected to the Jurong East MRT interchange station, Westgate, and IMM Building via J-Walk, a covered elevated pedestrian network. It will also be linked to the upcoming Jurong East Integrated Transport Hub, which will feature an air-conditioned bus interchange, a public library, a community club, and a sports centre.

This residential development is expected to be launched for sale in the second half of 2023 and will provide an estimated 100,000 new jobs and 20,000 new homes between 2040 and 2050. According to CapitaLand Development Singapore’s chief executive, Mr Tan Yew Chin, this development is expected to become Singapore’s largest business district outside the central area.

However, the closure of JCube mall on 6th August will mean that many skaters and tenants will be left with no options. Sport Singapore is working with the respective national sports associations for ice sports to facilitate alternative facilities for athletes’ short- and long-term training needs.

Recreational figure skater Willis Lau, 24, expressed his sadness at the closure of the ice rink which was his practice venue for the past few years. He hopes that a replacement rink will open soon so that other skaters would not be deprived of this opportunity.

Similarly, PastaGo, a JCube tenant, is hoping to find a suitable replacement in Jurong due to its ideal demographic and vibrant food and beverage scene. The company is expecting the rental at other malls to be higher.

In conclusion, CLD’s plans to redevelop the JCube site into a 40-storey residential development is a move that will benefit the region in terms of job creation and housing opportunities. However, this will come at a cost to the local community, with the closure of JCube mall and the displacement of tenants and athletes.