Kids on the block scope out *Scape on Orchard Road

The name's confusing, the place won't be ready till June and the retail tenants have yet to move in, but the new *Scape complex at Orchard Road will pack in a broadcast station, recording studio, art gallery, performance theater and other facilities, all in a 1.2-hectare, five-story urban structure in the middle of Orchard Road.

But even while the finishing touches are being applied, several events have been lined up to take place as early as next month. Evelyn Lau, general manager of *Scape, said to Channel NewsAsia, "We have a slew of dynamic and exciting activities and events from March till the official launch in June. We will have celebrity concerts, Youth Olympics Games 99 days countdown, and even the Singapore Dance Delight organized by O'School. We hope to have different flavors and different activities to cater to the different segments of the young people here."

Industry players such as record label Ocean Butterflies and dance company O'School said it is about time youths in Singapore get proper facilities to pursue their interests and allow them to spot more young talents. "They have to scatter all over Singapore and they have to pay a certain amount, and they do not have good facilities there. *Scape has very nice instruments and good facilities here," said Michael Tong, Regional MD of Ocean Butterflies.

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports pumped S$40 million into the building as part of its commitment to engage the creative energy of the young in Singapore. The building design by RSP Architects was voted for by nearly 5,000 young people, who also helped shape six conceptual spaces based on their interests, such as street sports, music and digital arts. 

getting there

*SCAPE
113 Somerset Road, Singapore
tel +65 6735 4144
www.scape.com.sg