Thursday 23 March 2006
The Cathay
Embracing modernism with its rich past history, The Cathay re-opens its doors on 24 March 2006 as a much treasured icon of Singapore – with reminiscences of the past weaved into a dynamic, vibrant expression of the present and the future.
A forerunner in the local entertainment industry since 1935, the legacy of the Cathay empire, under the exceptional leadership of its founder, the late Dato Loke Wan Tho, has entertained generations of Singaporeans for over 70 years.
Historical Beginnings
On 18 July 1935 Mrs Loke Yew together with her son Dato Loke Wan Tho, established Associated Theatres Ltd. Until he met his premature demise in an aircrash
in 1964, Dato Loke Wan Tho propelled the business, which was later renamed Cathay Organisation, into one of the most prominent film enterprises in South East Asia.
In 1936, the Dhoby Ghaut site was purchased by Mrs Loke Yew and construction of the Cathay Building commenced in 1937.
When it opened its doors in 1939, the Cathay Building held the distinction of being Singapore’s first skyscraper. It housed Singapore’s first air-conditioned cinema, lavish apartments, a sophisticated restaurant and a hotel. The Cathay Cinema became an icon.
In 2000, the Cathay Building closed its doors for re-development.
A Harmony of the Old & New
As a SGD$100 million joint commission between Tange Associates Japan and RDC Architects Pte Ltd Singapore, The Cathay boasts an artistic conceptualisation which incorporates conservation of the original art-deco façade of the 1930s combined together with a modern-day avant garde design.
The concept includes a glass façade termed as ‘Urban Skin’ which creates an image wrapping up the building with transparency, beckoning passer-bys through the entrance to experience The Cathay lifestyle. As a key element of the building design, the transparency of the ‘Urban Skin’ also creates interplay between the white and grey of the old Cathay wall.
Gazetted as a heritage site, the design team lead by Paul Tange had to incorporate conservation requirements that included retaining the original historical façade. Ms Choo Meileen, Executive Director of Cathay Organisation said, “Though the new Cathay building isn’t quite what we envisaged, we are glad that the union between the old and new Cathay reflects past, present and future. The Cathay is more than a new building. We hope it evokes the many memories it has held for so many for so long and creates new ones for the present generation and future generations to come.”
A public concourse through the conserved wall is extended to a secondary plaza at Handy Road, which serves as a second pedestrian entrance. On the floor to the main entrance are two patterned floor mosaics which were cut from the original Cathay Building and placed in the new building.
The retail facilities which include food & beverage are located at the basement up to the 4th level, while 8 cinemas, including The Picturehouse, occupy the 5th, 6th and 7th levels.
Housed on the 2nd level is The Cathay Gallery which will open two months after. The Cathay Gallery is a nostalgic showcase of the history of Cathay, the Loke family, movies and memorabilia.
A Lifestyle of Contemporary Living
The Cathay is a niche mall for the discerning. It offers a lifestyle of contemporary living backed by vibrant food and beverage outlets and swanky retail stores ranging from apparel and accessories, health and beauty, gadgets together with an elegant 8-plex cinema to entertain.
The Cathay makes shopping an experience. Some of its tenants include adidas, Inner Harmony, Strip co-ed, Browhaus, TaylorMade, Ben & Jerry’s and Starbucks, just to name a few. Targeted at sophisticated and well-travelled PMEBs, it will be the place they can call their own in the heart of the city.
City Living
Nestled in the city’s prime shopping belt, The Cathay Residences is set to open in the second half of 2006. Residents of The Cathay will get to experience city living within the walls of one of Singapore’s cultural and historical heritage site.
The Logo
Rendered in Chinese calligraphic art, The Cathay logo features a circle which embraces five bold strokes representing the five pillars of the original facade of The Cathay. It reflects the union of past and the present, moving ahead in tandem into the future. Full of free-spiritedness, the encompassing seal articulates and creatively exemplifies the essence of The Cathay brand philosophy, The World in Us.
Symbolising fluidity in adapting to the ever-changing needs of the discerning, an impression of the Chinese character "shui" crystallises.
The Cathay simply ignites the senses and evokes all that is truly The World in Us and Where Life Just Gets Better.
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