unity engagement and environmental sustainability.  At the helm of this endeavour is Callie Yah, CDL’s executive vice president and head of global asset management division, whose strategic vision is steering the project towards a future where shopping experiences are made of genuine connection and sustainability. From a vibrant food haven on Level 4 to a nostalgic-themed Food Republic spanning 9,000 square feet at Basement 3, City Square Mall is poised to become a culinary destination for families and food enthusiasts alike. Yet, beyond the aesthetic enhancements and gastronomic delights, City Square Mall’s asset enhancement initiative embodies a deeper commitment to its community.  Through the introduction of community spaces and performance areas, the mall seeks to foster a dynamic hub where families gather, cultural activities flourish, and bonds are strengthened. Moreover, in alignment with CDL’s ethos of sustainability, City Square Mall will integrate upcycled materials into its new interior decorations, showcasing a commitment to circularity and environmental stewardship. The journey According to Yah, CDL Group embarked on the ‘Growth, Enhancement and Transformation’ strategy back in 2018. It was aimed at renewing and repositioning its business, sharpening its value proposition and expanding its asset portfolio. “The objectives of the AEI are to unlock value by leveraging the bonus gross floor area obtained from the decantment of basement [mechanical and electrical] plant rooms and the community and sports facilities scheme,” she told Inside Retail. With the additional gross floor area, the team aims to further diversify its trade mix to better serve shoppers, refresh the mall as well as enhance the rental yield.  “It is a timely upgrade after 15 years of operation to keep up with competition from new malls and the changing retail landscape. The refreshed mall post-AEI will create a more enticing and revitalised shopping experience for shoppers,” she added. The mall will be upgrading the common area finishes such as floor, ceiling and lift lobbies to refresh its look, recyclable materials will be incorporated into most lift lobby walls and atrium edge. The existing timber handrails will be dismantled and upcycled into benches at common areas for shoppers to rest their feet after a tired day of shopping, bringing forth the concept of circularity that the mall wants to highlight. In addition, the mall will also be expanding its trade mix by offering more F&B options to cater to the diverse palettes of shoppers.  “As a family-centric mall, the mall will unveil its Gastro Square, spanning 24,000 sq ft, which features a range of culinary delights. We will also be creating more areas for community engagement activities to inject more vibrancy into the mall,” she noted. The mall will also be increasing its social responsibility efforts through the inclusion of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) as a tenant.  A family wellness square will be set up at Level 4, helmed by NCSS and its social service agencies, offering various programmes for children and families. The evolving landscape Surrounded by hotels, serviced apartments and residential properties, Yah said CDL is cognisant of the changing landscape of the mall’s catchment area and is adapting to meet consumer preferences. “By adopting a multi-pronged approach to analysing shopper feedback and emerging retail trends, supplemented by in-depth research and active engagement with tenants, we stay attuned to market dynamics and emerging trends,” Yah said. This enables the team to operate strategically and make informed decisions to address identified gaps. For example, in tandem with the rising popularity, the mall has increased its athleisure offerings so that shoppers can enjoy browsing through a variety of choices.  “With more young families visiting the mall, we have also carefully curated a selection of tenants to provide a range of fun and educational activities to meaningfully engage the young ones,” she explained. Yah also mentioned that one of the key thrusts of this asset enhancement initiative was to construct communal spaces that will encourage community engagement with activities and events from all walks of life. “CDL’s sustainability team is collaborating with ‘Just Keep Thinking’, Singapore’s biggest science, nature and sustainability social media channel, to establish the “CDL Eco Train”, a first-of-its-kind repurposed train carriage at the mall,” she elaborated. Slated to open in the second half of 2024, the CDL Eco Train aims to engage, educate and raise eco-awareness in the community through a broad range of sustainability topics and issues.