Sentosa, Singapore's island resort, has revealed details of phase one of its ten year strategy to revamp the island.
The S$20m plan centers on Siloso beach - a kilometre stretch of sand on the west side of the island.
The 46,000 sq ft space on the beach will be developed into food and beverage outlets, entertainment venues and sports facilities, which will be completed by May 2004. So far, 96 percent of the space has been leased - 60 percent for food and beverage and 40 percent for retail and entertainment.
The businesses which have invested in the Siloso Beach development are all local, with Sentosa matching their investment dollar for dollar.
The development will be opened in two phases, starting with three food and beverage outlets which will be operating by the end of July 2003: Sunset Bay Beach Bar, a Delifrance cafe and an Italian restaurant concept called Trapizza featuring a flying trapeze, where guests can learn how to perform daredevil acts in mid-air. Trapizza will be operated by Shangri-La and will compliment its Rasa Sentosa Resort hotel on Sentosa island.
By May 2004, the remaining leisure outlets will be open. As well as three purpose-built event halls, Siloso Beach will be home to a six-star clubhouse and watersports facility called flow. flow will be run by two local companies - Showboats 'n' Resorts International, which distributes Sunseeker yachts, and a Singapore based consultancy called Alchemist Asia. Marketed as a complete leisure destination, flow will include an infinity swimming pool, a docking pontoon with boat storage facilities and spa and health relaxation areas.
Sentosa's food and beverage division will operate four new outlets, situated next to flow, at an estimated cost of S$970,000. As well as Delifrance, Sentosa has the franchise for an ice-cream parlour called New Zealand Natural Ice Cream. In addition to these, it will operate a restaurant called Bistroganic offering a healthy menu made only from fresh and natural ingredients, and Beery Barry - a 97 sqm watering hole serving beers and food items prepared with beer.
Sentosa's retail division will open a general store called Store @ the Beach, selling resort and beachwear. Meanwhile, Billabong will open its first beachside location in Singapore, retailing surf and resort apparel.
Siloso Beach is part of a $3bn redevelopment of Sentosa, which has failed to attract holiday makers in the past, who have favoured neighbouring beach resorts like Bintan and Bali in Indonesia.
The island's masterplan was approved one year ago. It includes building new hotels, a theme park, a museum and upgrading existing facilities, including the Sentosa Express light rail system which will link Sentosa to the mainland.
The 400 hectare island wants to attract 8 million visitors and generate S$900 million in revenue by 2012.
