The Cathay mall in Dhoby Ghaut
As we all know, the city centre has no shortage of sprawling malls to satisfy even the most voracious of shopaholics. Well, you can add another stop on your spending sprees downtown, as The Cathay mall has recently opened its doors once again.
Here’s what you can expect when you swing by this iconic building in Dhoby Ghaut which has undergone 2 years’ worth of redevelopment work. Don’t worry, the mall still retains its distinct facade; we’ll even reveal where you can find the adorable balloon dog statues that used to stand guard in front of the mall pre-renovation.
What to know about The Cathay?
The old Cathay Building.
Image credit: Roots.com
The Cathay, originally known as the Cathay Building, was first opened all the way back in 1939, and served as the headquarters for the British Malaya Broadcasting Corporation, which was the first major commercial radio station in Singapore. Standing at a height of 83.5m, it was the first and tallest skyscraper in Southeast Asia.
The Cathay Building was also known to house the very first cinema in Singapore, called Cathay Cinema, which became synonymous with the building. Through many rounds of redevelopment, most of the building and its emblematic cinema have since been lost to time, and in March 2006, The Cathay shopping mall took its place.
What the mall’s exterior looks like today.
In February 2023, The Cathay was announced to be closing for redevelopment, and after 2 years of renovation, the mall was finally reopened in late March 2025.
How to get to The Cathay?
The most convenient way to get to The Cathay is to take a train and alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, and you’ll arrive at the mall after a quick 2-minute walk from the station’s exit A. You can also opt to take a bus and alight at Dhoby Ghaut bus stop (stop ID: 08057); a couple of bus services that stop here include bus no. 7, 14, 77, 106, 502, 665, and 972, just to name a few. The walk over to The Cathay is then just 5 minutes.
For those driving in, you can park your vehicles at The Cathay’s car park which is accessible via Handy Road. The EV charging bay is located on L1M, and do note that there are no public lots for motorcycles in this car park. Below are the parking rates for The Cathay’s car park:
Mondays to Fridays:
8am-5.59pm (every 60 mins or part thereof) – $1.80
6pm-7.59am (per entry) – $2.95
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays:
8am-5.59pm (every 60 mins or part thereof) – $1.60
6pm-7.59am (per entry) – $3.10
What to expect at the newly revamped The Cathay mall?
It hasn’t been long since the mall opened following the completion of extensive redevelopment works, so The Cathay still needs a bit of time to completely fill out its directory. But, it’s reported that the mall and all its tenants will be fully operational by Q3 2025.
When we popped by in early May, The Cathay already had all the makings of a full-fledged mall, as most of its tenants were already up and running. As such, you won’t be disappointed at all at the mall’s current offerings. Speaking of which, one feature of the mall visitors can check out right now is the new 360° Multimedia Tower.
It sits smack dab in the middle of the mall’s main atrium and spans over 3 storeys, making it a marvel to gaze at. You’ll occasionally hear the rumbling bellowing of a whale as it cruises through the virtual clouds too, which undoubtedly adds to the dreamy ambience of this space.
There’s also plenty of seating space right in front of the 360° Multimedia Tower in the form of these massive wooden steps, which are perfect for taking a breather or having your dabao-ed meals at.
What to eat at The Cathay mall?
Don’t be fooled, this picture was taken way before the lunch crowd gathered round to gobble down their delicious wings.
There are quite a few eateries you can drop by for a meal at The Cathay. Currently, mall mainstays such as Saizeriya (#B1-11), Ya Kun Kaya Toast (#B1-13), and Yoshinoya (B1-08) are all open and welcoming diners, and we noticed they weren’t awfully crowded even during lunch hour. There’s also a Wingstop joint here as well, which was conversely attracting hordes when we swung by.
For a more varied selection, head down to the Food Avenue (#B1-09) food court. Stalls here are dishing out plates of chicken rice ($5.80), nasi lemak ($7.50), and pork cutlet fried rice ($9).
If you need a pick-me-up in the morning, the huge Starbucks (#01-01) outlet will be your one-stop shop for all your caffeine needs. Otherwise, hit up Kebuke (#01-15) on your way out of the mall for some refreshing brews like their Signature Black Tea ($3.20) or Rice Oolong Milk Tea ($4.70).
What to shop at The Cathay mall?
Surprisingly, there aren’t that many retail shops within The Cathay, so if you’re looking for a more comprehensive shopping experience, you’d be better off at the nearby Plaza Singapura instead. But, that isn’t to say The Cathay’s not worth a look; for starters, there’s a Miniso (#01-13) outlet which is essentially a haven for all things cute.
Here, blind boxes featuring adorable characters from series such as Sanrio, Miffy, and Winnie the Pooh line their shelves. Further in, you’ll find a collection of cuddly plushies, a fully stocked makeup and fashion accessories section, as well as a perfume corner if you’re in the market for your next favourite scent.
If your home needs some sprucing, a massive IUIGA (#B1-01) store awaits you on B1. It’s their biggest outlet in Singapore, so there’s no better place to shop for home essentials and furniture.
The store also sports an interactive smart home zone where you can view modular kitchens, automated laundry racks, and smart lifting dish racks all in motion. They even provide in-house renovation consultations and services if your home needs a makeover.
When you’re planning for artsy dates, look no further than Gift.ed by Turtle (#02-11). It’s a big gift shop that has a whole section dedicated to DIY workshops that you can sign up for. Their list of hands-on activities is extensive to say the least – some that caught our eye include dressing up moru doll keychains ($35), painting figurines ($15), and concocting cups of slime ($35).
Other services & features to check out at The Cathay mall
If you’re looking to work off those extra calories, there’s the 24/7 Fitness (#04-04) gym to work up a sweat at. This one is their latest outlet on the Little Red Dot, and like their name suggests, they’re open all day, with membership rates starting from as low as $98/month.
Head on up to the Sky Garden that’s also on Level 4 for some fresh air. It’s a small, pet-friendly outdoor space that’s fitted with seats for you to lounge on while your furkids run wild in the sun. There’s also water taps on each end of the garden, for when you need to clean up after a play sesh.
You’ll be able to spot the beloved oversized balloon dog sculptures that used to be stationed right outside The Cathay’s entrance within the mall itself. This strikingly red one has been moved to Level 1 next to Yakiniku Like!, and the others are over on Level 4.
Finally, there’s a 12m-long mural down on Level 3 that makes for a pretty backdrop for your photos. It depicts the vibrant history and evolution of The Cathay since its opening in the 1930s, with callbacks to the building’s time as a hotel and cinema.
For a complete directory that includes both upcoming stores and stores that are already open for business, visit The Cathay’s official website.
Visit the newly reopened The Cathay mall
While The Cathay is nowhere as all-encompassing as its neighbour Plaza Singapura, it’s nice to see this historic landmark make its return to Singapore’s cityscape. Who knows, perhaps even the Cathay Cineplexes cinema that closed down here back in 2022 is also slated for a comeback – only time will tell.
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Photography by Andrea Wong.