What began as a youth hangout in the heart of Orchard Road is now ready to reintroduce itself. This November, *SCAPE will relaunch after years of redevelopment, ushering in a fresh chapter shaped by evolving needs, youthful energy, and a firm belief in the power of the creative community.
Launched in 2007, *SCAPE was one of the first spaces in Singapore dedicated to youth creativity, entrepreneurship and self-expression. It was home to flea markets, open mic nights, cosplay gatherings, break dancing hang out zones, startup showcases, and K-pop cover dance competitions. Over the years, *SCAPE has seen it all—from popular indie gigs to quiet late-night conversations on its steps.
The journey has not been linear. Like the youth it serves, *SCAPE has had to grow, reimagine its identity, and weather periods of change, and shed the identity from Cathay Cineplex, or known to many in the generations before as ‘Cine’, or neoprints of the era. The pandemic accelerated some of that transformation. The revamped five-storey building will feature more intentional design: 20% of it will be free communal space, a significant commitment in Orchard Road real estate. Whether it is spontaneous meetups, casual hangouts, or peer-led performances, these open zones are designed to be claimed by youth on their own terms.
We noticed that there is now a stronger need for young people to find spaces to connect, especially after COVID.
Mr. Ethen Ong, Deputy Executive Director, *SCAPE
The iconic Ground Theatre has been reconfigured to nearly double its capacity, accommodating up to 870 people. Meanwhile, new tenants reflect today’s youth interests: SM Universe, a subsidiary of K-pop giant SM Entertainment, will open its first South-east Asian training academy here; Innovate 360 will host a range of youth-run cafes, photo booths, reimagined for today’s generation, and start-ups. Returning tenants include CHAT, a mental health space that has served youth at *SCAPE since 2010, anchoring the space with consistency and care.
From its outdoor courtyard, now transformed into a flexible, open-air performance zone, to a newly extended seating deck overlooking Grange Road, *SCAPE’s redesign is about more than aesthetics. It is about making space, literally and figuratively, for young people to belong.
As *SCAPE prepares to welcome the next generation, it stays true to what it has always been: a space in progress, shaped by those who show up and make it their own.
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