World-Class 1,000-Seat Theatre and Contemporary Art Museum to Rise on Tanglin Shopping Centre Site by 2030
A new integrated development on the former Tanglin Shopping Centre site will house a world-class 1,000-seat theatre and a contemporary art museum, further enhancing Singapore’s appeal as an arts and cultural tourism destination. The building, which combines retail, office, wellness and cultural space, is expected to be completed in 2030. It is the first local theatre and museum project supported by the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Strategic Development Incentive Scheme.
Theatre Seats
Theatre Total Area
Expected Completion
Base Rent Waived
A New Cultural Landmark for Tanglin
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Education David Neo announced the plans on Thursday, 27 August, at this year’s Arts Sponsorship awards ceremony.
In his speech, Neo said: “From the government’s perspective, we believe this is an opportunity to create a theatre that connects with the world while being deeply rooted in Singapore’s vibrant arts ecosystem.”
The new theatre occupies four floors with a total area of about 98,000 square feet. Audience seating is arranged across three levels totalling 1,000 seats, and the venue can host drama and concerts while also being suitable for dance and music performances. Alongside supporting local production traditions and contemporary performing arts, it will create employment opportunities for local arts workers in theatre technology and arts management.
Filling a Gap in Venue Capacity
Neo said that over the past 10 years, local performing arts have made significant progress, with over 7,100 ticketed performances in 2024, more than double the number in 2014. But the authorities have also received feedback from many arts groups, especially performing arts groups, that competition for local performance venues is very intense.
He said the authorities recognise that demand in the arts field is very diverse, and arts groups at different development stages need different types and scales of space, so the government will develop in phases and plan a series of different types of arts spaces.
Currently, among Singapore’s main performing arts venues, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall have about 600 seats, while the Esplanade Theatre and Concert Hall have over 1,600 seats. The new 1,000-seat theatre fills that market gap.
The National Arts Council said the scale and facilities of the new theatre will support large productions across different art forms, providing more performance venues for local and international works, enhancing Singapore’s capacity to host international tours while supporting the development of local arts groups.
Funding, Operators and Location
The theatre will be funded and built by Singapore real estate investment and development company Pacific Eagle Real Estate, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Arts Council. In the first 20 years after the project is completed, Pacific Eagle Real Estate will fully waive the theatre’s base rent, reducing operating and maintenance costs for cultural and arts projects.
The National Arts Council will soon issue an Expression of Interest to recruit a theatre operator. The museum will be managed by the Tanoto Art Foundation. This is the first theatre and museum project locally supported by the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Strategic Development Incentive Scheme.
The Orchard Road area has over 30 hotels, 40 shopping malls and 150 flagship stores. The new theatre is located here, with an excellent position and convenient transport links, in the hope of attracting more visitors and giving audiences more opportunities to enjoy diverse local and international performances.
Part of the Orchard Road Revitalisation
The Singapore Tourism Board announced at the annual tourism conference in May this year a plan to revitalise Orchard Road, mentioning for the first time that the Tanglin district would undergo significant transformation. The Tanglin Shopping Centre site would be redeveloped into an integrated project combining retail, office, wellness and cultural uses, with emphasis on arts and culture, led by theatre developer Pacific Eagle Real Estate.
Neo said this mixed-use development project will become a new landmark for cultural development in the Tanglin district. He hopes that in the coming years it can further enrich the arts, culture and lifestyle of the Tanglin district, building Tanglin into a community with a strong artistic atmosphere and artisan spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is being built on the Tanglin Shopping Centre site?
An integrated development combining retail, office, wellness and cultural space, housing a world-class 1,000-seat theatre and a contemporary art museum. The theatre occupies four floors with a total area of about 98,000 sq ft, with seating across three levels. Completion is expected in 2030.
Who is building and operating it?
The theatre will be funded and built by Pacific Eagle Real Estate, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Arts Council. Pacific Eagle Real Estate will fully waive the theatre’s base rent for the first 20 years after completion. The National Arts Council will issue an Expression of Interest to recruit a theatre operator, while the museum will be managed by the Tanoto Art Foundation.
Why is a 1,000-seat theatre needed?
It fills a gap between the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall at about 600 seats and the Esplanade Theatre and Concert Hall at over 1,600 seats. Local performing arts have grown, with over 7,100 ticketed performances in 2024, more than double 2014, and arts groups have reported intense competition for venues.
Own property around Tanglin or Orchard?
A 1,000-seat theatre with 20 years of waived base rent is a genuine anchor, not a pop-up. If you own nearby, I can tell you how the area is trading ahead of 2030.