You might have heard the news that Harbourfront Centre is set to close down in the 2nd half of 2026, leaving behind fond memories of shopping and dining, before exciting ferry and cruise trips or even tuition centres took over.
But what the younger generation might not have known is that Harbourfront Centre used to be Singapore’s World Trade Centre, a place many remember for exhibitions, book fairs, and even a maritime museum. We went down for a last look before the place eventually shutters, so you can see what’s still around today, and maybe jog a few memories if you used to hang out here back in the day.
If you haven’t already, quickly head down to HarbourFront Centre for a last look because it will be shutting its doors later this year for a 5-year makeover, transforming it into a mixed-use building.
Currently, the 3-storey building features tenants offering a wide range of fashion and retail options, restaurants, enrichment centres, and ferry ticketing shops. It’s connected to VivoCity and houses the ferry and cruise centre for your cruise trips and ferry rides to Batam and other vacation islands.
When the mall closes in 2026, the passenger terminal will begin operating at a new location next to the existing building.
The World Trade Centre was built in 1978 and was meant to be Singapore’s link to global trade centres. This one-stop hub for global commerce services cost $83 million to build and also served as a venue for commercial, recreational, and marine terminal facilities.
The Singapore International Motor Show in 1978 was the first large-scale exhibition held there. It also hosted the Miss Universe Pageant in 1987, televised worldwide to at least 600 million viewers, as well as the Guinness World of Records Exhibition in 1990.
The Harbour Pavilion at the World Trade Centre.
Image credit: Roots by National Heritage Board
There were many exhibition halls at the World Trade Centre, including the hexagon-shaped Harbour Pavilion hall – a 5,000-seat multi-purpose hall with a portable stage and motorised retractable seats.
These halls could host concerts, musicals, and exhibitions – perhaps some older Singaporeans may remember getting comics and PCs from the book fairs and IT shows there. Now, such exhibitions are held at Singapore EXPO instead.
Image credit: Liang Wei via Facebook
The World Trade Centre spanned the whole area, including where both HarbourFront Centre and VivoCity currently stand.
It had also housed a large arcade chain, WyWy Wonderspace, popular in the 1980s and 1990s, a KFC, and other small shops that many older Singaporeans still remember.
Those who have visited might also remember the container ride that carried people up and down past a LEGO miniature display of port operations, part of the Maritime Square exhibition at Harbour Pavilion.
The World Trade Centre later closed down in 2000 for redevelopment, and reopened on 17th February 2003 as the HarbourFront Centre we know today.
We’ve rounded up some of the more iconic spots here, along with a few lesser-known gems you might have walked past without noticing – all worth checking out before the mall closes for its upcoming makeover.
Since 1991, crowds of travellers from all walks of life have passed through the doors of Singapore Cruise Centre’s international and regional passenger terminals, with a record-high of 5.3 million regional ferry passengers in 2019.
Many of you probably recognise the iconic 360° welcome sign at the Level 1 entrance from the times you rushed to check your departure time or drop off your baggage.
Heading up to Level 2, you’re greeted by the iconic orange BatamFast counter. Running since 1985, they’re one of the cruise centre’s oldest ferry operators. Located right next door is Aeroline, a private coach bus service connecting Singapore to Kuala Lumpur for over 23 years, and has been operating from the HarbourFront Passenger Terminal since the early 2000s.
On the same level is the departure hall, flanked by old-school coin-operated kiddie rides, money changers, and eateries like Toast Box offering locals a taste of home before their departure.
Like we’ve mentioned above, the cruise centre will be permanently relocating to a new 2-storey ferry and cruise terminal next to its original location in the 2nd half of 2026.
But before you start rehearsing your speech about how the good old days are gone, here’s some good news: you can still catch the cable cars from HarbourFront Tower 2 to Mount Faber Cable Car Station, so your Sentosa plans won’t be completely derailed, phew.
Nothing beats a hearty meal before a long journey, and a go-to option has been the Tuckshop. Located opposite the Horizon Fast Ferry ticket counter, the food court is home to a number of stalls offering a variety of food and beverage options, from your classic cup of kopi to Hunan-style handmade noodles.
Tuckshop is most famous for its cheap cai fan and roasted char siew dishes, well-loved by office workers and shoppers coming over from VivoCity in search of more affordable dining options.
Image credit: Fairy via Google Maps
Crowd favourites that are worth a try include the Classic Signature Noodle (from $5.59) with char siew and wantons ($5.59), and Roasted Duck Rice ($5) from Old Street 60’s Signature Noodle.
Established in the 1970s as a family-run business, Hoe Nam Prawn Noodles expanded from its original shophouse at Tai Thong Crescent and made its foray into heartland malls in 2024, with HarbourFront Centre being their 3rd outlet.
While this noodle shop is one of the newer kids on the block compared to others on this list, it’s become a must-visit spot, earning a 4.8 star-rating across 500 Google reviews at the time of writing.
From classic prawns to pork ribs, pig’s tail, intestines, abalone clams, and lala, the menu will leave you spoilt for choice, complete with the extra option of customising your dish with either yellow noodles, bee hoon, or kway teow. You can also add wu xiang as a la carte dishes, priced from $2 or as a set for $6.20 to $11.20.
Image credit: Justin Yeap via Google Maps
They’ve stuck to their roots by preserving their traditional cooking methods, which involve simmering imported pork ribs, fresh sand prawns, and a mix of other ingredients for over 8 hours to give it that extra gao flavour.
With the rising number of foreign food chains opening in Singapore, it feels rare to see Singaporean F&B businesses thrive in malls, so it might be worth dropping by while you still can. Be sure to come on a weekend to avoid the weekday lunch crowd.
Joining HarbourFront Centre in 2022, Nakanishi Cakes stands out in the mall’s directory as the only bakery that doesn’t sell the standard bread buns you can find almost anywhere. Started by a chef who migrated from Chiba, Japan, to Singapore, the bakery specialises in banana cakes and pastries that are less sweet but still just as yummy.
You’ll find elevated flavour combos like Dark Belgium Chocolate Banana Cake ($26) and California Walnut Banana Cake ($26), alongside local favourites with a special twist, like their Yuzu Pineapple Tarts ($30).
Made without preservatives and using only natural ingredients, their 3 for $12 muffin combo makes a great gift for friends and family, or a healthier option to satiate those late-night cravings.
Besides their NEWest outlet, their HarbourFront shop is the only brick-and-mortar location where you can snag their cakes, baked fresh daily.
Poh Kim Video feels like a time capsule of the past with its shelves stocked full of new and old titles across various genres and languages. Established in 1984 with outlets scattered across the heartlands, the homegrown video rental business has ingrained itself in the memories of many Singaporeans.
Long-time customers often recount memories of stopping by in the early 2000s to buy DVDs of foreign dramas, and being assisted by the same shop attendant who has continued serving locals and tourists over the decades.
Beyond the usual Hollywood blockbusters, they’ve got a wide selection of DVDs and Blu-rays of Chinese and Korean movies starting from $24.90, including the Hong Kong TVBI dramas your grandparents seem to always be playing on their TV sets.
You’ll also find the equipment you’ll need for your analogue set-up from the standard GIEC GK906 DVD player ($79.90) to the high-definition GIEC 4K Blu-ray HD Player ($499.90).
From exclusive Max Verstappen Funko Pops to remote control car assembly kits, Pitstop Collective is one of the few Formula 1-themed stores in Singapore with such a diverse range of merch beyond your usual polos and jerseys.
Whether you’re team McLaren, Scuderia Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull, they’ve got something for everyone. Build your own cars with DIY RASTAR brick car building kits (from $39.90) or drive your own miniature remote control cars ($59.90-79.90) ranging in scale from 1:8, 1:12, 1:16, up to 1:18.
They’ve even got Funko Pops (from $39.90) of your faves, great for giving your display that extra bit of personality.
Collectors might recognise the Bburago 1:43 Oracle Red Bull 4-Time World Champion Set ($145.90), or the colosseum-style Bburago 1:43 Scuderia Ferrari Display Stand ($239) featuring 7 miniature car models driven by the likes of Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, and Fernando Alonso, to name a few.
Fun fact: they’ve recently started stocking collectible racing flags featuring Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen – perfect as room decor or to show your support for your faves when F1 returns to Singapore.
One of the few fashion boutiques that has stood the test of time in HarbourFront Centre for over a decade is Outpost, which has earned a reputation for being the go-to spot for bespoke cheongsams and evening dresses.
From dressing MPs for the National Day Parade to creating custom cheongsams for bride-to-be’s pre-wedding shoots or ROM ceremonies, Outpost has built a loyal customer base over 14 years of experience in alteration and made-to-measure services.
Given the time and craftsmanship that go into each custom piece, prices here are also naturally on the higher end, with everyday wear like casual dresses starting from $480. Basic cheongsams start at $580, while bridal and formal cheongsams and dresses start from $680, depending on the fabrics selected. There are also higher-end fabric options like Thai silk, linen jacquard, and tweed if you’re feeling bougie.
Image credit: Outpost
They also offer co-ord sets, including couple sets with a Tang shirt and cheongsam from $1288, as well as dress bundles for mother-daughter duos from $1388.
These custom garments may cost a pretty penny, but it might help to think of them as investment pieces, especially if you’re looking for something made just for you that’s likely to outlast a fast fashion piece.
With HarbourFront Centre’s closure, the boutique has tentative plans to relocate to Orchard later in the year. For now, you can book a fitting with them through Outpost’s website.
Spanning 10,000 sqft, the Mothercare Experience Store at HarbourFront is the largest outlet on the island and the first one of its kind.
Revamped in 2019, the shop was designed to include more interactive elements, such as IKEA-style staged rooms for customers to visualise how future buys will fit into their lives.
Here you’ll find an extensive range of baby essentials, including cots, prams, car seats, clothes, toys, and even TikTok-viral Jellycat plushies.
If the choices feel overwhelming, there are helpful staff on stand-by to answer your questions or demonstrate how to use the products.
The store also runs quarterly outlet-exclusive sales featuring store-wide discounts of up to 90% alongside starting prices as low as $1, with the next one likely coming sometime between May and July 2026.
Think you know HarbourFront? We’re betting you haven’t heard about this lesser-known pool hall in Singapore. Tucked away from the main shops on the Level 4 carpark and accessible only through Lobby C, Aspire Recreation Centre is a spot worth visiting before the mall closes down.
Opened in 2022, the pool hall houses an impressive range of equipment for cue sport and dart players, including 22 pool tables, 6 8-ball tables, and 6 dart machines. With years of experience hosting national cue sport competitions, the venue is well-equipped for everyone – whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro.
The centre charges based on hourly rates but also offers bundle packages for longer sessions.
| Pool | Chinese 8-ball | |
| Mon-Thu | Hourly rate (pro-rated)
Bundle Package
| Hourly rate (pro-rated)
Bundle Package
|
| Fri-Sun, Public Holidays & Eve of PH | Hourly rate
Bundle Package
| Hourly rate (pro-rated)
No bundle packages available |
If you want to try your hand at darts, you’ll need to buy a drink before purchasing Dartslive credits by paying either $12 or $22 in cash. You’ll get a game card which can be shared by up to 4 players, and returning it after the game will guarantee you a refund of $2.
With closing times as late as 3am and fit with a cosy corner featuring a KTV system and board games ($29.90/hour, or $19.90/hour for members), this is the perfect spot for a late-night hangout with friends.
And for $50/year, members also get discounts that can be used across Aspire outlets, including 20% off the usual hourly rates and 50% off self-training sessions at most outlets during non-peak periods.
While VivoCity might have endless shopping and dining options, there’s one advantage HarbourFront Centre has that the mega mall doesn’t: an escape room.
If you somehow find joy in locking yourself in tight spaces and enduring timed challenges, then you’ve probably heard about The Escape Artist V-Room. Since the opening of its HarbourFront Centre outlet in 2016, it’s drawn a steady crowd to the otherwise quieter mall, raking in a whopping 1,500 Google reviews while still maintaining its 4.9-star rating.
Image credit: The Escape Artist
From joining a squad of ninjas on a mission to find missing persons to investigating a murder in a cabin in the woods, these escape rooms bring your fantasies to reality. You can pick from 3 rooms based on your group’s strengths and weaknesses, each varying in levels of puzzle difficulty and physical intensity. Bookings start at $24 each for groups of up to 8 players, with each session running between 90 and 150 minutes.
You can also book VR escape games here for the same price as the real escape rooms, although there’s a 4-player limit.
If you’re still buzzing from the escape rooms, right next door is Lava Floor, a hands-on interactive game where you’ll have to think on your feet as the floor melts into “lava”. You’ll have to run, jump, and sprint your way to the safe blue tiles while avoiding the red tiles to survive. With as many as 99 levels to clear within the time limit, this game will put your teamwork and your core strength to the test.
Book a 20-minute slot for $13/pax on weekdays and $17/pax on weekends and public holidays. If you don’t want the fun to end, booking the same room back-to-back will give you an extra 10 minutes for free.
Here’s a hack: gather a big group of friends and book the extra-large lava room on Level 2 for something more challenging.
Sadly, good things often come to an end. While many of us will probably feel a little sad saying goodbye to HarbourFront Centre as we know it, there’s at least something exciting to look forward to – a brand new, refreshed building expected to take its place in about 5 years’ time.
HarbourFront Centre will be closing down again after 23 years to be redeveloped into a 33-storey mixed-use building, with completion expected in the 1st half of 2031. The new building will boast 26 floors of office spaces and 5 floors of curated retail spaces.
Image credit: Mapletree
It will also come packed with sustainable elements, like bicycle parking, a solar photovoltaic system, a smart lighting system, EV charging stations, and a 13,000sqm publicly accessible elevated park.
Now that we think about it, the building kind of resembles an air purifier – with all the greenery worked into the design and its focus on sustainability, it looks like it’s about to start filtering air.
While it’s always a little bittersweet to say goodbye to a place that held many great memories, HarbourFront Centre’s legacy won’t disappear with the redevelopment. The next generation would just be creating more memories of their own in the brand-new building.
Photography by Shannon Tan.
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