JCube

JCube was a shopping centre in Jurong East, Singapore, that operated from 2 April 2012 until 6 August 2023. Developed on the former site of Jurong Entertainment Centre, it was designed as a retail and leisure destination serving western Singapore and the wider Jurong Lake District. The five-storey mall contained approximately 204,000 square feet of space, together with two basement levels of car parking and a landscaped rooftop plaza. The mall's name combined the initial letter of Jurong with the visual idea of a cube or ice cube. The name was selected through a public naming competition held in 2010. Its architecture was co-designed by RSP Architects and Benoy, and the building's identity was closely associated with ice and winter sports. In 2012, CapitaLand and the Singapore Sports Council jointly opened The Rink, a non-profit Olympic-size ice-skating facility within the mall. The venue became one of JCube's most distinctive attractions and helped differentiate it from nearby conventional shopping centres. JCube also housed Singapore's first suburban IMAX theatre, adding a major cinema and entertainment component to its retail offer. Its tenant mix included food and beverage outlets, fashion and lifestyle stores, services, entertainment operators, and other shopping-centre uses. In September 2014, the operator launched J.Avenue on Level 2 as a youth-oriented retail concept. The area used frequently refreshed retail concepts, trick-art installations designed for social-media photography, and an online portal featuring merchandise available from participating stores. The mall operated in a competitive Jurong East environment that included newer and larger destinations such as Jem and Westgate, as well as IMM. The opening of these neighbouring malls contributed to changes in shopper traffic and prompted JCube to develop more targeted concepts such as J.Avenue. During its operating period, JCube was associated with CapitaLand's Singapore retail portfolio. It was initially owned by CapitaMall Trust, later known as CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, and managed by CapitaMalls Asia and subsequently CapitaLand Retail Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Investment. JCube received the Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark Platinum award in 2011. The mall's environmental claims included estimated annual savings of 7,793,984 kilowatt-hours of energy and 3,419 cubic metres of water. In January 2022, CapitaLand Development announced an agreement to acquire JCube from CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust. The acquisition was completed in the first quarter of 2022 according to the available reference material. CapitaLand Development announced in February 2023 that the site would be redeveloped rather than continue as a shopping centre. JCube closed permanently on 6 August 2023. The planned replacement, named J'Den, is a 40-storey residential development with commercial space on its first and second storeys. The project is intended to support the transformation of the Jurong Lake District and to connect directly with Jurong East MRT interchange station, Westgate, and IMM Building through the J-Walk elevated pedestrian network.

JCube was built on the site formerly occupied by Jurong Entertainment Centre in Jurong East, Singapore. The earlier shopping centre closed for redevelopment in October 2008. The redevelopment timetable was affected by the global financial crisis of 2008 and by elevated construction costs, and the former building was completely demolished in February 2010. On 21 May 2010, CapitaMall Trust held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new mall on the site. The proposed development was planned as a five-level shopping centre of approximately 204,000 square feet, with two basement car-park levels and a landscaped rooftop plaza. Its name was selected through a naming competition held in 2010. “J” referred to Jurong, while “Cube” reflected the building's intended ice-cube-like identity. RSP Architects and Benoy were involved in the design. JCube opened to shoppers on 2 April 2012 and was managed by CapitaMalls Asia. Its concept combined ordinary shopping-centre functions with prominent leisure attractions. The mall housed The Rink, an Olympic-size ice-skating facility opened jointly by CapitaLand and the Singapore Sports Council in 2012. The non-profit rink provided a sports and recreation anchor unusual for a suburban Singapore mall. JCube also housed Singapore's first IMAX theatre outside the central area, reinforcing its entertainment positioning. The mall faced increasing competition after the opening of nearby Jem and Westgate, alongside the established IMM Building. In response to changing shopper patterns, JCube launched J.Avenue on Level 2 on 6 September 2014. J.Avenue targeted younger shoppers and was intended to encourage repeat visits through continuously refreshed retail concepts. Its features included trick-art installations designed as photographic backdrops and an online portal that displayed selected merchandise from participating stores. This initiative represented an effort to use programming, digital engagement, and a more specific demographic focus to distinguish JCube in the Jurong East cluster. Environmental performance was another part of the property's profile. In 2011, before the mall opened, JCube received the Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark Platinum award. Available reference material states that the mall was estimated to save 7,793,984 kilowatt-hours of energy and 3,419 cubic metres of water annually. Ownership and management changed within the CapitaLand group during the mall's life. JCube was owned by CapitaMall Trust, which later became CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust. It was managed by CapitaMalls Asia and, during its later operations, by CapitaLand Retail Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Investment. On 24 January 2022, CapitaLand Development announced that it had entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire the mall from CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust. The acquisition took place in the first quarter of 2022 according to the available reference material. On 7 February 2023, CapitaLand Development announced that JCube would be redeveloped. The replacement project, J'Den, was planned as a 40-storey residential development with commercial units on the first and second storeys. The project was presented as part of the wider development of the Jurong Lake District, including new homes, businesses, recreational facilities, and amenities. It was also planned to connect directly with Jurong East MRT interchange station, Westgate, and IMM Building through the J-Walk covered elevated pedestrian network. JCube closed permanently on 6 August 2023, ending its operation as a shopping centre.

• 2023

  Redevelopment announced and mall closes

  [1]JCubeen.wikipedia.org

  CapitaLand Development announced the J'Den redevelopment in February, and JCube ceased operations on 6 August.

• 2022

  Ownership transfer to CapitaLand Development

  [1]JCubeen.wikipedia.org

  CapitaLand Development announced an agreement to acquire JCube from CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust; the acquisition was completed in the first quarter.

• 2014

  J.Avenue launches

  [1]JCubeen.wikipedia.org

  A youth-focused retail zone opened on Level 2 on 6 September, using rotating concepts, photo installations, and an online merchandise portal.

• 2012

  JCube opens

  [1]JCubeen.wikipedia.org

  The mall opened to shoppers on 2 April. The Rink, an Olympic-size ice-skating facility, also became a central attraction.

• 2011

  Green Mark Platinum award

  [1]JCubeen.wikipedia.org

  JCube received the Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark Platinum environmental certification.

• 2010

  Former building demolished and new mall construction begins

  [1]JCubeen.wikipedia.org

  The former building was demolished in February, and CapitaMall Trust held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new mall on 21 May.

• 2008

  Jurong Entertainment Centre closes for redevelopment

  [1]JCubeen.wikipedia.org

  The predecessor shopping centre closed in October as the site was prepared for redevelopment.

A Jurong East retail and leisure mall differentiated by ice-sports facilities, an IMAX cinema, youth-focused retail programming, and access to the wider Jurong Lake District.

• Sports and recreation · 2012

  The Rink

  The Rink was a non-profit Olympic-size ice-skating facility opened in 2012 through a joint initiative involving CapitaLand and the Singapore Sports Council. It was JCube's most distinctive leisure anchor and supported the mall's ice-themed identity by providing skating and sports programming within a suburban shopping-centre setting.

• Cinema and entertainment · 2012

  IMAX theatre

  JCube housed Singapore's first IMAX theatre located in a suburban setting. The cinema expanded the mall's entertainment offer and helped position it as more than a conventional retail centre, complementing the ice rink and food, shopping, and lifestyle tenants.

• Youth retail concept · 2014

  J.Avenue

  J.Avenue was a Level 2 retail concept launched in 2014 for younger shoppers. Its operating model emphasized frequently updated retail concepts, trick-art installations intended for social-media photographs, and an online portal displaying selected merchandise available in its stores. It was introduced as JCube faced stronger competition from nearby malls.

• 2014J.Avenue youth retail initiative

  Singapore

  JCube introduced J.Avenue to appeal to younger shoppers after new competing malls opened in Jurong East. The initiative combined rotating retail concepts, interactive trick-art installations, and an online merchandise portal.

  Outcome. It became a targeted retail zone within the mall, although JCube ultimately closed for redevelopment in 2023.

  Source
• 2010JCube naming competition

  Singapore

  A public naming competition was used to select the name JCube for the planned Jurong East mall. The name linked the site to Jurong through the letter J and evoked the building's ice-cube-inspired design.

  Outcome. The JCube name was adopted for the development and became the mall's public identity.

  Source

• 2023

  Decision to redevelop the JCube siteStrategy

  Background

  CapitaLand Development described the site as part of the changing Jurong Lake District, where residential, commercial, recreational, and transport connections were being expanded.

  Action taken

  The company announced that JCube would be replaced by J'Den, a 40-storey residential development with commercial space on the first and second storeys.

  Aftermath

  JCube closed permanently on 6 August 2023. The planned replacement was targeted for completion in 2027 and was to connect with Jurong East MRT station, Westgate, and IMM Building through J-Walk.

  Source

• 2022

  CapitaLand Development agrees to acquire JCubeM&A

  Background

  JCube had been held by CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust within the CapitaLand group, while the property faced a competitive Jurong East retail environment.

  Action taken

  CapitaLand Development announced a sale and purchase agreement to acquire the mall. The transaction was completed in the first quarter of 2022.

  Aftermath

  The property moved to CapitaLand's development arm and was subsequently earmarked for redevelopment.

  Source

• 2022.01.24

  Reported2022.01.25

  CapitaLand Development agrees to acquire JCube[2]凯德发展同意收购JCubesbr.com.sg

  CapitaLand Development entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire JCube for $340 million. The transaction was expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2022.

Read more

1. 1JCubeen.wikipedia.org
2. 2凯德发展同意收购JCubesbr.com.sg