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What’s New in Downtown East?

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the favourite family hotspot is shedding its renovation partitions to reveal something fresh and new. Here’s what is waiting for you.
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By Avelyn Ng / Photos NTUC Club 18 Jun 2018
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Downtown East fans would have noticed the progressive changes and renovation works in recent years. They are all part of a five-year redevelopment plan and guess what, it is finally done!

All we can say is that the before-and-after difference is something that will be hard to go unnoticed. Here’s a quick trip to the family playground through a series of photos.

Market Square – Gathering of Flavours and Adventure

The latest update saw an addition of a 280,000 sq ft Market Square. Comprising E!Hub and E!Avenue, the area has boosted the number of retail, dining, and entertainment choices by about 20 per cent.

New tenants include Singapore’s only Segway distributor that offers seamless exploration of Downtown East’s natural surroundings on mobility devices, and Forest4 Darts Café serving up a tipple and a game of darts.

Foodies can check out an eclectic mix of local and international culinary delights. One of the restaurants high on our list is Korean establishment Mukshidonna, which is known for their tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes). Chalet-goers, meanwhile, can be assured that suppers are taken care of at the 24-hour Indian-Muslim restaurant Flaming Spice.

Wild Wild Wet – Fun Ways to Beat the Heat

Fond memories of this theme park? Well guess what, Wild Wild Wet has doubled in size and now spans four hectares! There are now four exciting new rides to keep the adrenaline pumping while splashing about in the water. Looks like it’s time to bring the bathers!

  • Royal Flush is Asia’s first hybrid ride combining two thrilling rides – Behemoth BOWL40 and TornadoWAVE. The names alone should get you all geared up for some excitement.
  • Free Fall, standing at a whopping six-storey high, is self-explanatory. That’s the only place in Singapore where you can get a near-vertical, full-body drop at up to 55km/hour.
  • Vortex sends you splashing down the slide through twists and turns at speeds of up to 10 meters per second.
  • No worries if you have younger children – there are the Kraken Racers with a minimum height requirement of only 1.1 metre, and Kidz Zone with miniature rides and slides.

D’Resort

Nestled in the lush greenery of Pasir Ris Park is the nature-inspired hotspot for staycation, D’Resort.

Opened in July 2015, this may not be new to some, but a less-known fact is that D’Resort has nine different room types ranging from chalets and suites to rooms with park, mangrove and beach views. With easy access to Wild Wild Wet and barbeque pits, D’Resort caters to every budget and occasion.

MUCE

Those looking to hold an event can look up Downtown East’s MUCE (Membership & Union Community Engagement) offerings.

The Begonia Pavilion for instance, has five function rooms that can be reconfigured based on needs. Its biggest ballroom is at 561 square metres and can accommodate 550 guests. Larger-scale events can consider the D’Marquee, which can host up to 1,800 guests.

Plans are in the pipeline to upgrade MUCE capabilities. Details will be revealed at a later stage.

Low-income union members enjoying a day of fun with their families at Downtown East at no cost during NTUC Club’s annual Family Fun Fiesta (F3) last year.

In the lead-up to its 30th anniversary in November 2018, Downtown East has lined up a series of events that include a carnival featuring rides from Uncle Ringo and the perennial favourite Cosfest, and the LM Fiesta and Family Fun Fiesta for union members.

If you are planning to head to Downtown East, don’t forget to walk down memory lane at the Heritage Wall featuring the destination’s key transformation since 1988.

Later this month, Downtown East is also launching a microsite for the public to share their fondest memories over the past three decades through photos. Stay tuned!