ION Orchard - Facilities

Facilities

Layered across the walls of ION Orchard, the Media Facade is a multi-sensory canvas media wall made with cutting-edge technology.

ION Orchard will also have the largest sheltered public square along Orchard Road, ION2. It will span over 33,000 sq ft (3,100 m2) and will be able to accommodate many large-scale events.

A 5,600 sq ft (520 m2) art and exhibition gallery will also be located on the fourth floor of the shopping mall. Called ION Art, it will combine art and commerce, being a significant contributor in the local and international 'artscapes'. An art and design programme will also be implemented which will introduce new and multimedia art into the mall experience, promoting the best of Asian modern and contemporary art and design from established and emerging artists and designers. Under this programme, permanent and changing sculptures and media installations will be located throughout the mall with art exhibitions held throughout the year within the ION Art Gallery and other locations in the mall.

The development's observation deck, ION Sky, is located on the 55th and 56th floor of the building. With a height of 218 m above ground, it offers a panoramic view of the city. It will also have a 75,000 sq ft (7,000 m2) garden on its 9th floor, together with two club facilities on its 9th and 30th floors.

The mall will also have two subway entrances on Level 1 connecting to ION2 via Orchard. The first entrance, Exit E (facing Wheelock Place), was opened on the morning of 15 January 2008, the same day when the station's Exit C (facing Wisma Atria) was closed and slated to be demolished. Mounted on Exit E's wall were more than 90 metres of LED walls, that can be programmed with different colours and patterns on its light displays to create a certain mood, even for festive occasions. It can also be used for advertising or as an art gallery from time to time. A newly-built Exit C will become its second subway entrance once it opens in late 2008.

The mall will also have a new walkway leading from Orchard Boulevard to Orchard. Called the Orchard Boulevard Entrance, the first LED-lit subway entrance was opened on 10 June 2008 at Orchard MRT Station, with the help of the Land Transport Authority and SMRT Corporation on the planning of the walkway. Synchronized with ION Orchard's facade and canopy, the walkway will have LED panels, creating a surround experience for commuters, and a fritted glass-and-steel canopy roof, allowing natural light to filter through. The walkway will also have easy access to the basement and ground levels of the mall from the subway station's concourse level. Another walkway connecting the subway station to Wheelock Place will be opened to the public at a later date.

The mall will also have a car park with approximately 650 parking spots (including handicap parking), between the fourth and the eighth floors. Its over 100 media screens both inside and outside the shopping mall, including those above restroom urinals, will be managed by MediaCorp.