The Vault moves to Orchard Road

The Vault moves to Orchard Road

SINGAPORE - Upscale bistro lounge The Vault moved out of its premises on Circular Road last weekend to make way for an Italian restaurant that will open by November.

But it is not out for the count.

Mr Godwin Pereira, director and co-founder of lifestyle group Limited Edition Concepts (LEC), which runs The Vault, told The New Paper that the establishment will reopen in June next year on Orchard Road, somewhere near Liat Towers.

At 5,000 sq ft, the new space will be bigger, added the 40-year-old, who was a music director in the early days of nightclub Ministry of Sound at Clarke Quay and Marina Bay Sands nightspot Ku De Ta.

This will be the second move for the brand. The Vault moved from its original 7,000 sq ft home on South Bridge Road to the 4,000 sq ft space on Circular Road late last year.

However, Mr Pereira declined to reveal the exact location and price tag of the new venue as discussions with the landlord are ongoing.

While he acknowledged that Orchard Road may not be known as a clubbing destination, he said he was always attracted to it because "there has always been a nice buzz and energy in that area".

And while there are "a lot of entertainment options" on Orchard Road, Mr Pereira believes The Vault can contribute its "flavour and style" to the landscape of the area.

The Singapore-based LEC group, which was founded in 2012 and also owns nightclub Club Kyo on Cecil Street, is set to expand to Kuala Lumpur next year with the opening of some nightlife establishments.

Last October, LEC inked an $8 million deal to take over the master lease of 28 shophouse units from Octopus Holdings, the group behind Eski Bar and Liquid Kitchen. It means LEC bought about 28,000 sq ft of space, making it Circular Road's anchor tenant.

The master lease will last between six and 10 years for the units. The group then launched food-and-beverage and nightlife businesses there, and sublet some units to others.

Mr Pereira said The Vault moved out of Circular Road because there was a strong demand for the four shophouse units it occupied.

"When we were offered a substantial amount for the space on Circular Road, it eventually became too hard to resist," he added, explaining the move.

zothman@sph.com.sg

TAKEOVER

Italian dining concept Marco Marco, which takes over The Vault's premises, will open in November.

Mr James Wong, a 32-year-old financial planner, told TNP that The Vault "was a unique place on Circular Road because it offered good music. It was a good place to hang out after work.

"I'm sure the new place will be good as well."

The Vault was a unique place on Circular Road because it offered good music.

- Mr James Wong

OTHER CLUB CHANGES

March 2015

One of Singapore's hottest nightclubs, The Butter Factory, will shut its doors after its lease expires in March next year after six years at One Fullerton.

The decision was made after the owners were unable to come to an agreement with the landlord on rent.

The club's co-founder and executive chairman Tay Eu-Yen said: "...we have decided to give The Butter Factory a break and are going to explore new concepts".

December 2017

Zouk has been given a "final" extension until 2017 of its lease at Jiak Kim Street.

The extension of the lease, which was due to be terminated on Dec 31, depends on whether the nightclub finds a new location by June 30 next year.

If it does, it can remain at Jiak Kim Street until Dec 31, 2017, to give it time to complete the moving process, which may include renovation and construction.

If Zouk fails to secure a new site by the stipulated time, its tenancy at Jiak Kim Street will expire on Dec 31 next year.


This article was first published on September 24, 2014.
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