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SINGAPORE: Remember those lovely Sunday afternoons from your childhood, fighting with your siblings over who gets to speed down the massive waterslides at Big Splash first?
By the look of things, you’re going to be able to create new memories at the former water theme park — as an adult.
In fact, the revamped Big Splash could well be the next Tanglin Village, except instead of partying the night away in the lush greenery surrounding the Dempsey area, you could find yourself nursing a leisurely cocktail while enjoying the languid breeze and a grand view of the sea.
Launching on Saturday with a huge carnival-like celebration is Playground & Big Splash — the newest “lifestyle destination” joining the likes of Tanglin, Clarke Quay and Rochester Park.
But before you rush to put on your party heels on, you might want to consider a pair of flipflops, given the laidback beach charm.
“There are Dempsey kind of lifestyle characteristics, but not the disco-type partying kind of thing,” said the main man behind the project, Justin Tan.
Added the 34-year-old director of real estate and F&B businesses at the Seafood International Market and Restaurant group, which manages Playground @ Big Splash: “It would be more like jazz bands performing and people coming to chill out.”
The water slides and pools might be gone but in their place as part of the $6-million revamp are 19 lifestyle and F&B tenants, including old stalwarts LillyPutt, Singapore’s first themed indoor mini golf course, and Seafood International Market and Restaurant.
Joining the two veterans is an eclectic array of establishments ranging from swanky gastro bar and restaurant 1 TwentySix by One Rochester, to Indian Times by the Kinara Group of Restaurants, to Sushi Tei’s swish new designer outlet. Even burger chain Carl’s Jr is here with its first drive-through branch in the Asia-Pacific region — complete with a giant burger on the roof.
To pick the right mix of tenants, Tan met some 160 interested parties — some of whom he said were “serious ... and some not” — to fill the massive 300,000-sq-ft space.
“I was quite fortunate that I could narrow them down to 19 that complimented us,” said Tan.
Among the lucky few to be chosen is One Rochester, a pioneer of the rustic al fresco gastrobar in Rochester Park. Used to lush greenery, the people behind One Rochester wanted to do something similar but by the beach. Playground proved to be the perfect location to set up 1 TwentySix.
“This time round, we wanted to add a full-scale restaurant apart from the Gastro bar,” said Cheryl Lee, a director at One Rochester.
The 33-year-old added that there was also a demand for another outlet from existing customers, especially those living in the east, to set up a new branch along the famous coastline.
“Playground afforded us that opportunity. Food lovers often head to the East Coast in search of good food, recreational and lifestyle pursuits,” said Lee, who added that 1 TwentySix will be serving up contemporary European fare on top of an extensive range of wines and cocktails.
Besides that, the sea view, which is a virtual stone’s throw away from the Central Business District, was another attraction, she said.
But 1 TwentySix won’t be the only outlet offering thirsty and hungry customers a respite amid the scenic East Coast setting, promised Seafood International’s Tan.
He said the soon-to-be-completed 19th outlet will be a beachside bar-cum-bistro called Vista. It will be located right next to 1 TwentySix.
“Whereas 1 TwentySix is more upmarket, Vista is aimed at the masses. You’d find, say, a father and mother having a beer while the kids are out in the playground or rollerblading,” he said.
He also expects another tenant, the Malaysian chain OldTown White Coffee shop, to stay open longer into the night, judging by the size of the after-office crowd that frequents the establishment.
“I am amazed by OldTown White Coffee’s night crowd ... and they’ve said they are going to extend their opening hours,” said Tan. “I see a lot of people chilling out under the stars. I think there is potential to build up a vibrant nightlife here.”
While we smack our lips at the possibilities, what’s with the mojo-killing childcare centre Chiltern House and Frisk ‘n’ Romp Kids’ Playclub doing by the beach?
“On a weekday, how do you bring in the crowds?” replied Tan.
“On weekdays, parks are usually quiet. So, we wanted to have child development and childcare services — that’s why we brought in Chiltern House and Frisk ‘n’ Romp.”
Tan’s hope is that parents — especially mothers — drop their kids off at these centres and then head off to the other facilities at Playground, such as the nail clinic Nails Fetish or high-end bicycle sales and rental outlet T3 Bicycle Gears, or even grab a bite at one of the many eateries.
The morning crowd is mostly made up of retirees and fitness fanatics up for some exercise, Tan said, sketching out his company’s concept for the site. But as the day goes on things quieten down, and that’s when parents and their children come in.
And when the sun goes down, Playground is all set for the PMEB (professionals, managers, executives and businessmen) crowd to unwind over drinks and meals.
All in all, Tan expects to see some 5,000 visitors each weekday, with the number jumping to between 8,000 and 10,000 on weekends.
And while Tanglin Village might be more “grown up” and adult-friendly, we’d like to see you try to inline-skate back home from the dimness of Dempsey Hill.
We don’t recommend you do the same after drinks at Playground ... but the point is that now, you can. - TODAY/fa
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