Let’s take a walk through of HDB newest mixed-use mall by the sea in the north at Northshore Plaza Punggol.
Furthermore, the establishment comprises of two separate mall buildings remarketed by Northshore 1 and 2. With the newer Northshore 2 located nearer to the north with seaside views. The mall is mostly a two-floor establishment, with a pop up third floor in some areas. Also, the mall is also directly linked to the adjacent HDB blocks. Also, the mall has an open-air airy common walkway area with the store areas being air-conditioned.
A new kind of heartland mall
Moreover, Northshore does bring the term “heartland mall” to the test. We first saw this in other newer HDB estates like Dawson and Marsling. These malls were built and operated by HDB themselves. However, I found Northshore has less of a pre-fab feel akin to bespoke town centers most Singaporeans would had experienced or grew up in. It is tad a modern take on town centrals.
I find Northshore plaza is probably a modern take on traditional HDB heartland central. These heartland commmunity areas we adore since they were first conceived and popularized since the 70s. Notable HDB central still surviving today included Ang Mo Kio, Toh Payoh and Bukit Merah– all built around the same time-era.
Additionally, anchor tenants here include Decathlon and a Giant supermarket. The Decathlon is massive, it the largest store here followed by Giant, Daiso and Anytime fitness gym.
Notably the Decathlon store here has quite an extensive bicycle section including models on sale, parts and accessories. Presumably to cater for the larger recreational cycling crowd here.
Notably, there are much fewer stores on the ground floor, of Northshore 2, with most of the crowds on the upper second floors. Also, there is a open multi-purpose events area in the Northshore plaza 1 which holds events including sale and roadshows.
Both Northshore 1 and 2 are linked via a central level 2 link way bridge over Northshore Drive. It serves as the main bridge artery connecting both Northshore 1 and 2 together. This is the only way to get across with the road crossing fenced against jaywalking.
Food options
Furthermore, on F&B outlets, there are small independent casual F&B outlets and cafes which would appeal for those looking for a more targeted dining experience or a nice cuppa. Examples here includes Gaku Japanese restaurant selling rice bowls, and Weil Collection cafe a chill dessert café great for groups. Both Northshore plazas has about an equal mix of ground floor and second level stores and F&B outlets.
Also, there are 2 food courts right here which takes the grunt of the offerings for the masses. This is on top fast-food favourites like A&W, 4 fingers, MacDonald’s restaurants and the Dancing Crab.
Moreover, the far end is home to a Cantine by kopitiam food court serving a nice selection of Halal-friendly food. They have pretty great Ice-kacang desserts. Also, just above the kopitiam is a curated food court dining experience in a quirky Jurassic dinosaur theme called Nomstar.
Also, Nomstar offerings up here includes favourites from Tim how Wan for Dim Sum, hawker Chan for chicken rice, a Vietnamese and Thai food store. You also order your dishes via a web-based system with a digital queue.
Northshore seaside views
Furthermore, the walkway area by the kopitiam food court overlooks the Singapore- Malaysian strait. This water body straight is hardly 1 km wide and you can see Malaysia from the mall. Also, there, you can make out the ships, the Malaysia Pasir Gudang refinery, bulking facilities and ferry terminals up North.
Also, the residential units here are built really close by the mall building area. Humorously, the Northshore residents here won’t be wrong if they say they live 10 meters or a minute walk away from a Daiso or Hai di lao. You can also find a small playground themed to a boat with a marshland by the seaside park connector.
Additionally, on your left on the viewing deck is the Seletar island and home to a worker’s dormitory grounds.
It is amazing how close the residential outlets are integrated right next to the plaza. Linked by sheltered overhead covered walkways which are now a mainstay in Singapore pathway infrastructure.
All in all, that wraps up our explorations of Northshore Plaza Punggol. It is a rather self-contained mall which is not quite your regular mall. Sort of a nice rustic curation which is probably the definition of modern town centers in HDB heartlands to come.
