parklane's history

When we looked into the history of Parklane Shopping Mall, we realise that little has changed within the mall. Built in 1974, it was modelled after Parklane in UK with its bullet lifts being an iconic hallmark of the mall. These bullet lifts were the first of their kind in Singapore and stood as a source of pride for the mall. 

 

An interesting fact about malls built during this period are that they tend to be strata-titled malls. Tenants here own their units. As it has been impossible to get all the tenants to agree on upgrading or collective sale, the mall has stayed virtually the same over the years.

 

The carpets that used to line the atrium have long gone and instead, a second-hand bookstore stands in its place today. However, the mall has not completed faded away. Instead, it has transformed subtly over the years and continued to remain relevant, for better or worse.

 

While nightclubs have recently been a staple of the building, expanding their presence around the building. This, coupled with massage parlours that have taken up various offering "special services" have given the mall a sleazy reputation. Still, they continue to co-exist peacefully with many of the legitimate shops around them, opening only after 7-8pm. In recent times, these massage parlours have been told to close before 11pm.

 

Shops that have survived over the years tend to serve niche customers.