Foreign Property News | Posted by Si Thu Aung
One of Sentosa's most iconic structures will be making way for a themed thoroughfare that will link its north and south shores. This is part of long-term plans to reshape the resort island and the adjacent Pulau Brani into a premier leisure and tourism destination.
Work to demolish the towering 37m-Merlion statue, which sits at the heart of Sentosa, will begin by year-end, when construction on the $90 million Sentosa Sensoryscape project will commence.
About the size of 5½ football fields, or 30,000 sq m, the new two-tiered thoroughfare will connect the mainland-facing Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) with the beaches in the south, and replace the existing walkway.
The last day of operations for the Sentosa Merlion will be on Oct 20, and the four eateries and shops will close progressively from Oct 21. When the Merlion was constructed in 1995, visitorship to the island was between four and six million, compared to more than 19 million last year, said Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) chief executive Quek Swee Kuan.
There is, thus, a need for a wider thoroughfare, and the Sensoryscape will double the current pedestrian capacity, he said.
"We won't relocate the Merlion because of its size, but we are considering how to commemorate it," said Mr Quek.
While visitorship to the island may be affected by construction works, this will be mitigated by the upcoming Siloso Green lifestyle quarter to open by year-end, as well a new family-themed attraction at Palawan beach, he said.
Visitors can continue to visit the other six Merlion statues located at Merlion Park, Mount Faber, Tourism Court and Ang Mo Kio, Singapore Tourism Board announced.
Ref: Property Report
