Funan has gone through quite an extensive revamp in the three years since it closed for renovation works in July 2016, and it’s almost unrecognizable now. Talk about a total glow up. The copper-colored facade along North Bridge Road, now 85 percent bigger than before, aims for an “industrial chic” look, with perforated aluminium panels covering the building.
One difference you’ll notice immediately is the Kinetic Wall, a multimedia art installation touted as the first of its kind in the country. Made of embossed aluminium panels that are 13m tall and 9m wide, the work comprises 1,271 motorized light blades that showcase the date and time, plus the occasional animated content.
Inside, the mall houses a majestic design centrepiece called the Tree of Life, a 25m-tall structure that stretches from Basement 2 to its fourth floor, where it sits under a massive skylight. Mostly made out of steel, the “tree” features 20 retail pods for brands to display their products and entrepreneurs to conduct their classes.
Plus, look out for an indoor cycling path that runs 200m from the start of the trail to the first floor Bicycle Hub, which is kitted out with amenities like shower cabins, lockers, a bicycle repair, and a pump station. Cyclists can get on their two-wheelers during morning peak hours, but the mall discourages cruising around during operating hours from 10am to 10pm.
Other tenant highlights include the Wild Rice theatre, Golden Village cineplex, TFX fitness centre, Climb Central’s indoor rock climbing wall, The Ark’s futsal facility, ABC Cooking Studio, and a Japanese farm-to-table eatery called Noka.
In an effort to go green, the seventh level is dotted with more than 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables across 18,000 sq ft in the Food Garden operated by Edible Garden City. That means restaurants in the building will be able to harvest plants like lemongrass, mint, ginger, and turmeric from the urban farm in their recipes. The rooftop garden also offers pretty sweet views of the city skyline, with lounge chairs for anyone who wants to chill for a bit.
Funan’s retail and office corners will open in the second quarter of 2019, followed by the service residences at the end of the year.
