VivoCity
A large waterfront shopping and lifestyle complex in Singapore's HarbourFront precinct.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
VivoCity is a major shopping and lifestyle complex in Singapore, located in the HarbourFront precinct of Bukit Merah beside HarbourFront Centre and the gateway to Sentosa. Since its official opening in December 2006, it has been recognized as Singapore's largest shopping mall by retail and gross floor area. The complex comprises approximately 99,987 square metres of net lettable area and about 142,854 square metres of gross floor area, distributed across three principal shopping levels and two basement levels, with additional parking and rooftop space. The mall was developed by Mapletree Investments, a subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, on land formerly occupied by the Expo Gateway and Harbour Pavilion exhibition halls associated with the former World Trade Centre. The development represented a major redevelopment of the HarbourFront area and was reported to have cost approximately S$417 million. Its architecture was designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, whose design uses broad, flowing forms and extensive public areas to create a mall intended to function as more than a conventional enclosed retail building. The name VivoCity is derived from the word “vivacity,” reflecting the development's emphasis on activity, entertainment, and public life. VivoCity's tenant and visitor proposition combines fashion, department-store and specialty retail, dining, entertainment, services, transport connections, and public events. Its facilities include cinemas, food courts, a library, a rooftop amphitheatre and Sky Park, a large car park, and direct links to HarbourFront MRT station, HarbourFront Bus Interchange, HarbourFront Centre, and the Sentosa Express. The mall also provides an outdoor pedestrian connection toward St James Power Station. Its position beside the cruise, tourism, and Sentosa gateways gives it a particularly strong role in serving both Singapore residents and visitors. The complex was soft-launched in October 2006 and officially opened on 1 December 2006. The opening combined a public concert, a fireworks display, and performances at the rooftop amphitheatre, establishing VivoCity as an entertainment venue as well as a retail destination. During its first month, the mall attracted approximately 4.2 million visitors, according to the cited reference material. It subsequently hosted televised New Year countdown events and other public programming, helping to build a recognizable identity around large-scale gatherings and live entertainment. The mall has continued to evolve through changes in tenancy and facilities. A 3,000-square-metre Basement 1 extension opened in July 2018, accessible through a new escalator lobby known as Lobby R. In January 2019, library@harbourfront opened on Level 3, replacing the former Bukit Merah Public Library and adding a public learning and community facility within the mall. The former Vivomart space, previously associated with Giant, Cold Storage, and Guardian, was later occupied by FairPrice Xtra from July 2019. Daiso subsequently returned in a smaller outlet in January 2020. VivoCity also has a cultural dimension. It was one of the venues for the inaugural Singapore Biennale in 2006, and some commissioned works were retained permanently, making it distinctive among the participating venues. In December 2016, Forbes recognized VivoCity as one of Singapore's top shopping malls. The complex remains an active retail, dining, transport, entertainment, and civic destination, although its precise tenant mix and event calendar change over time.
History
VivoCity was developed as part of the transformation of Singapore's HarbourFront precinct. Its site had previously been occupied by the Expo Gateway and Harbour Pavilion exhibition halls associated with the former World Trade Centre, now HarbourFront Centre. Construction began in June 2003. Mapletree Investments, a Temasek Holdings subsidiary, developed the project, with reported development costs of approximately S$417 million. Japanese architect Toyo Ito designed the complex, giving it broad, flowing architectural forms and large public areas intended to support retail, entertainment, and community activity. The name VivoCity was derived from “vivacity.” The project reached its topping-out stage on 18 April 2006 and conducted a soft launch on 7 October 2006. Its official opening followed on 1 December 2006. The opening ceremony combined fireworks, a public concert by String Theory, and a Stefanie Sun performance in the rooftop amphitheatre. The mall also used a large projection screen and an unusual giant harp installation as part of the launch spectacle. Reported attendance during the first month reached approximately 4.2 million visitors, while total visits before the grand opening were reported at approximately 7.28 million. From the beginning, VivoCity was planned as a regional destination rather than only a conventional shopping centre. Its location provides access to HarbourFront MRT station, HarbourFront Bus Interchange, HarbourFront Centre, cruise and tourism facilities, and Sentosa. The Sentosa Express terminal is located on Level 3. The station opened as Sentosa Station @ VivoCity on 15 January 2007 and was renamed VivoCity station in April 2019. A bus stop outside the mall serves connections toward Resorts World Sentosa, while internal and linked walkways connect the mall with HarbourFront transport infrastructure and nearby destinations. VivoCity also developed a substantial public-programming role. It served as a venue for the inaugural Singapore Biennale in 2006, and commissioned artworks displayed there were retained permanently, distinguishing the mall from other temporary exhibition venues. The rooftop amphitheatre and Sky Park became settings for concerts, countdown celebrations, and televised events. The mall hosted New Year countdown programs from the 2006–07 celebration through subsequent years, including events featuring Singaporean television and music performers. The countdown series later ended, with Channel 5 moving its major program to The Float @ Marina Bay from 2009 onward, although VivoCity continued to operate as an event and entertainment venue. The complex has been adjusted through physical expansion and tenant replacement. In July 2018, a Basement 1 extension of approximately 3,000 square metres opened beside the Kopitiam food court. In January 2019, library@harbourfront opened on Level 3 and permanently replaced the former Bukit Merah Public Library. The former Vivomart area, previously occupied by Giant, Cold Storage, and Guardian, was later reconfigured for FairPrice Xtra, which began operating there in July 2019. Daiso, which had closed its earlier store, returned in a smaller Level 2 location in January 2020. These changes illustrate the mall's ongoing adaptation to retail demand and community use. The mall contains approximately 2,179 car-parking lots distributed across its basement, upper-level, and rooftop parking areas. Its retail and gross floor areas have been described in different published figures, but the consistent characterization is that VivoCity is Singapore's largest shopping mall by scale. In December 2016, Forbes listed it among Singapore's top shopping malls. VivoCity remains an active HarbourFront landmark combining retail, dining, entertainment, public amenities, transport interchange, and access to Sentosa.
- 2020
Daiso reopens
[1]Daiso reopened at VivoCity on 15 January in a smaller Level 2 outlet.
- 2019
Library facility opens
[1]library@harbourfront opened on Level 3 in January, replacing the Bukit Merah Public Library.
- 2019
Sentosa Express station renamed
[1]The Sentosa Express stop was renamed VivoCity station in April.
- 2019
FairPrice Xtra replaces former Vivomart tenancy
[1]FairPrice Xtra began occupying the former Vivomart space on 16 July.
- 2018
Basement 1 expansion
[1]A new approximately 3,000-square-metre Basement 1 extension opened in July.
- 2016
Forbes recognition
[1]Forbes recognized VivoCity as one of Singapore's top shopping malls in December.
- 2007
Sentosa Express terminal opens
[1]The Sentosa Express terminal at VivoCity opened on 15 January as Sentosa Station @ VivoCity.
- 2006
Topping-out and soft launch
[1]The development reached topping-out on 18 April and held a soft launch on 7 October.
- 2006
Official opening
[1]VivoCity officially opened on 1 December with fireworks, concerts, and performances at the rooftop amphitheatre.
- 2006
Singapore Biennale venue
[1]VivoCity became one of the venues for the inaugural Singapore Biennale, retaining several commissioned works permanently.
Products and positioning
A large, experience-led waterfront mall that combines mainstream retail, dining, entertainment, public events, transport connectivity, and tourism access at the HarbourFront gateway to Sentosa.
Shopping mall · 2006
VivoCity shopping centre
The core offering is a large multi-level retail and lifestyle complex serving local residents, tourists, commuters, and visitors heading to Sentosa. Its tenant mix spans fashion, beauty, household goods, groceries, dining, services, and entertainment. The mall's size and HarbourFront location enable it to function as both a shopping destination and a transport-connected regional hub.
Events and public space · 2006
Sky Park and rooftop amphitheatre
The rooftop Sky Park and amphitheatre provide open-air public space for concerts, countdown celebrations, performances, and other mall programming. They were central to VivoCity's official opening and helped establish the complex as an entertainment and events destination in addition to its retail role.
Public library and community facility · 2019
library@harbourfront
library@harbourfront is a public library located on Level 3 of VivoCity. Opened in January 2019, it replaced the Bukit Merah Public Library and expanded the mall's community and educational function beyond retail and entertainment.
Transport connection · 2007
Sentosa Express VivoCity station
The Sentosa Express terminal at VivoCity links the mall with Sentosa. It opened in January 2007 as Sentosa Station @ VivoCity and was renamed VivoCity station in April 2019.
Marketing campaigns
- 2008Third VivoCity New Year Countdown
Singapore
The 2008–09 countdown emphasized Channel 8 and U programming and continued the mall's series of rooftop New Year events.
Outcome. The countdown series continued for the period described in the reference material, while Channel 5 subsequently moved its main countdown to The Float at Marina Bay.
- 2007Second VivoCity New Year Countdown
Singapore
The 2007–08 countdown featured performers including Taufik Batisah and Daren Tan, along with television personalities and contestants from the Live The Dream talent competition.
Outcome. VivoCity continued its early role as a televised music and countdown venue.
- 2006Official opening program
Singapore
The launch used fireworks, a public String Theory concert, a Stefanie Sun performance, a large projection screen, and a giant harp installation to present VivoCity as a major retail and entertainment destination.
Outcome. The opening generated substantial early visitation and established the rooftop amphitheatre as a prominent public-event space.
- 2006VivoCity New Year Countdown
Singapore
VivoCity hosted a live televised countdown from 31 December 2006 to 1 January 2007, with performances by local artists and finalists from Singapore Idol.
Outcome. The event positioned VivoCity as a national public-event venue during the year-end holiday period.
Brand decisions
2019
Add a public library within the mallStrategyBackground
The former Bukit Merah Public Library was replaced as part of a change in public-library facilities.
Action taken
library@harbourfront opened on Level 3 in January 2019, replacing the former tenant arrangement that had included TEMT and other outlets.
Aftermath
VivoCity expanded its community and educational role by incorporating a large public library within the shopping complex.
2019
Reconfigure the former Vivomart spaceStrategyBackground
Giant, Cold Storage, and Guardian had previously operated in a space associated with the Vivomart brand before leaving on 17 February 2019.
Action taken
The space was subsequently occupied by FairPrice Xtra from 16 July 2019.
Aftermath
The change preserved a major grocery and daily-needs offer within the mall, with no financial outcome stated in the available material.
2019
Rename the Sentosa Express terminalOtherBackground
The station serving the mall had operated under the name Sentosa Station @ VivoCity since opening in 2007.
Action taken
The station was renamed VivoCity station in April 2019.
Aftermath
The revised name more directly associated the transport stop with the mall and its location.
2018
Expand the Basement 1 retail areaGeneration changeBackground
The mall continued adapting its physical offer after more than a decade of operation and added capacity beside the Kopitiam food court.
Action taken
VivoCity opened an approximately 3,000-square-metre Basement 1 extension in July through a new escalator lobby known as Lobby R.
Aftermath
The extension increased the mall's leasable and circulation space, although no later financial outcome is specified in the available material.
Recent events
Hakken! announced a second outlet at VivoCity[3]
Hakken! announced that its second outlet, at VivoCity in Singapore, would open to the public starting July 17, 2021.
VivoCity and DBS launch an instant parking-rewards programme[4]
Reported:
VivoCity partnered with DBS Bank to launch an instant parking-rewards programme in which eligible DBS/POSB purchases at VivoCity earn points that are applied to parking charges.
Sources4 sources
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