Located along Tanglin Road on the outskirts of the Orchard Road tourist and shopping belt, the Tanglin Shopping Centre was the first modern shopping mall to be established in the area and the second oldest in Singapore after People’s Park Complex (built in 1967) in Chinatown. The building was designed by local architect William Lim, who was also involved in the People’s Park project, and developed by S.K. Chee Co. at a cost of $7.5 million. Opened for business in early 1972, the complex initially housed offices, retail shops, restaurants and the Singapore Medical Centre, which was a private medical facility that comprised of 18 medical specialists. In 1980, an extension was added to the building with most of the lower levels leased out to arts and craft and antique shops. Following the revamp, the mall became a popular haunt for the rich and famous to acquire antiques and artworks. Famous customers who had visited the shopping centre included pop star Elton John, musician Paul Simon, and former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Present owners City Developments (CDL) have unsuccessfully attempted to sell the property in recent years.
