| |
| |
![]() |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE: Not quite a grand old dame but no spring chicken either, lifestyle venue One Fullerton has always been a temptress in every sense of the word.
Established in 2000, she started by wowing fans as the perfect hostess. By day, she welcomed the lunchtime office crowd to sample the wares of her restaurants such as Prima Taste, Pierside Kitchen & Bar and Black Angus Steak House. By night, she lured and seduced party animals into her lairs — clubs Centro and Lola and chill-out lounge Embargo — where they preened and pranced, retreating to their domestic cages only when the sun came up.
Like a proud mother, One Fullerton had just cause to be happy with her babies. Centro quickly won the Singapore Tourism Board's Nightspot of the Year award (beating out then four-time winner Zouk) and clinched a landmark 24-hour operating licence. Lola was also packing a full house every weekend till 7am. Even her restaurants, especially Pierside, were dining hotspots and companies clamoured to hold product launches and corporate events at her gorgeous waterfront.
No doubt about it, One Fullerton had arrived. Then, about three years later, the winds of change blew with the ferocity of a force 10 gale.
Change, Change, Change
Things were never quite the same again. Centro, Lola and Embargo, owned by local company Centro Concepts, pulled out from the premises over a lease disagreement amid swirling rumours of delays in rental and staff payment. It marked the start of a changing tenancy list that saw the coming and going of establishments over the next three years.
Clubs and lounges such as Lash, Babyface Live, ONE, Flo Bar & Lounge, Onyx and Makino sprang up amid dancing lights and fanfare, before shutting their doors within two years. It was the same with food and beverage outlets such as Japanese eatery Haru Dining & Sake Bar, local franchise Bakerzin and gelato place Frutta La Viva.
The eclectic tenant mix also started attracting a new crowd. It got harder to spot young working professionals in well-pressed Raoul shirts and corporate women in precarious heels sipping cocktails, for towkays and their slim Chinese girlfriends, dating junior college students, and young families with stroller-pushing maids in tow came into view.
The original vibe was gone. One Fullerton, despite her still-gleaming all-white facade and pretty waterfront, had lost her shine.
Glory Days
Happily, all that is set to be just another chapter in the history books of this lifestyle destination, which promises to be the hottest spot in town by year end. Property developer Fullerton Heritage has embarked on a massive project to rebrand the entire waterfront stretch of historic Collyer Quay, the strip that houses One Fullerton, Change Alley and Clifford Pier. Fullerton Heritage is owned by Sino Land, the Hong Kong-based sister company of property giant Far East Organization that has always owned One Fullerton.
Said Sulian Tan-Wijaya, general manager of Fullerton Heritage: "Our plan is to develop a world-class iconic waterfront destination to enhance Marina Bay's positioning as the place to live, work and play. With the upcoming new developments, we felt it was compelling and timely to also rejuvenate One Fullerton with a new, exciting tenant mix to offer an even better experience for visitors."
There has already been much buzz about this reinvention. Popular hip-hop club Butter Factory will move into the space vacated by Centro, and also collaborate with the owners of hip establishments Loof and White Rabbit to open a modern eatery, Over-Easy. Both venues will open come year-end.
Italian fine-dining restaurant Forlino, helmed by Il Lidos Beppe De Vito and chef Osvaldo Forlino, is already drawing in the crowds and touted as the place to be for romantic dinners. And firm favourites such as American coffee joint Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, local stalwart Palm Beach Seafood and dessert haven Geláre are part of the 11-strong tenant list.
To celebrate them — and their new home — One Fullerton will be re-launched on Sept 11 with a big waterfront party. Some 800 guests will sample tempting fare in the form of canapés and light dishes from F&B outlets such as The Tapas Tree Bay Cafe and Jing, a modern Cantonese restaurant by the folk behind MajesticRestaurant and Bar.
The party also coincides with the eagerly-anticipated SingTel 2008 Formula One Grand Prix event, which will see top race car drivers zooming around the area just two weeks later.
Full Of Promise
One Fullerton's potential has always been unmistakable, to former and current tenants alike. Michel Lu, founder of Centro Concepts which owned Centro, Lola and Embargo, said he had pursued it for its "waterfront location and good infrastructure, knowing the area would pick up and had long-term potential".
And Shareen Khattar, one of the managing directors of the Marmalade Group which owns Pierside Kitchen & Bar, said being One Fullerton's very first tenant in the last quarter of 2000 was a result of being drawn to "the space, unique waterfront and atmosphere".
She added: "It feels a lot like being in Sydney, which suits Pierside and its modern, seafood-based menu. In terms of offering our clients something new, we're looking at introducing a champagne bar. We’ve been at One Fullerton for almost 10 years now, and I see the next 10 years being more successful."
Meanwhile, Butter Factory's marketing director and co-owner Celeste Chong said the club chose One Fullerton as its relocation venue from Robertson Quay for the ability to be "at the gateway to Singapore's new entertainment hub" and added that the club will still be about music, art, design and fashion.
She told TODAY: "Our loyalists can definitely look forward to more guest DJs, live acts and crazier theme parties in the two-room premises, each with its own dance floor."
For sure, when all its tenants have moved in - only four are currently operating as of time of print - and the entire complex is ready, there will be something for everyone.
Said Tan-Wijaya: "The new One Fullerton will definitely be a prime dining and entertainment destination along Marina Bay.
"With established F&B players offering a whole array of dining and entertainment options ranging from chic cafes to elegant fine-dining restaurants to chic new bars and clubs, One Fullerton will be a huge draw for both locals and tourists as a destination offering work and play environments." - TODAY/fa
|
