Causeway Point AEI to introduce new social and reading hub with pre-loved books, Sing Lit

A new first-of-its-kind public "social and reading destination", repurposed from a cinema, will be one of the highlights of Causeway Point’s upcoming transformation.

As part of the Woodlands mall's extensive asset enhancement initiative (AEI) — slated to start in the second quarter of 2027 and complete by the end of 2029 — the space is expected to open in 2028.

Named The HomePage @ Causeway Point, it is intended to bring together reading, literary experiences and community programmes for visitors of all ages, said Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT) and the National Library & Archives Board (NLB) in a joint statement on Oct 22.

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The HomePage will span more than 32,000 sq ft across a triple-volume space on parts of the mall's sixth and seventh floors.

FCT and NLB have inked an MOU to collaborate on the planning, design and implementation, including its literary collections, community programmes and visitor experiences.

It will house one of Singapore’s largest publicly accessible collections of pre-loved books from NLB’s libraries in English and Mother Tongue languages, as well as one of the country’s most extensive showcases of Singapore literature (Sing Lit) and local authors.

Visitors can browse and take home the pre-loved books without borrowing them, allowing them to explore titles at their own pace.

They are also encouraged to share books they have enjoyed with others, so that more members of the community can benefit from the collection.

Meanwhile, the dedicated Sing Lit showcase will feature a diverse selection of titles, as well as thematic exhibitions and programmes. NLB will also collaborate with the National Arts Council to curate the Sing Lit space.

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Social hub with books, play zones and theatre

Designed as a social hub, The HomePage will also feature interactive experiences and family-friendly amenities such as children’s play zones. Visitors can consume F&B within the community reading space as well.

A purpose-built indoor theatre and screening space within will host film screenings, author talks, storytelling sessions and cultural programmes.

"Whether visitors are reading, enjoying a meal, attending a film screening or spending time with family and friends, we want this to be a place where people feel welcome to stay, connect and return to," said Richard Ng, CEO of FCT's manager.

He added that FCT is working with NLB to showcase archives of old movies. There will also be "a lot of potential" to continuously curate new activities and programming, especially at The Social Steps, which is designed as a terraced public living room.

Moreover, The HomePage will serve as a starting point for more people to discover books and the joy of reading and build a lifelong reading habit.

Melissa Tam, CEO of NLB, said: "By making reading more accessible and creating new opportunities for readers to discover Sing Lit and local authors, we hope to encourage more Singaporeans to embrace reading as a lifelong habit and connect more deeply with our shared heritage and identity."

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New tenant mix and community spaces after revamp

Through Causeway Point's upcoming AEI, the Reit aims to reposition the mall as a regional destination offering a wider range of retail, dining, lifestyle and community experiences.

The total cost of the AEI has yet to be finalised, pending the outcome of the tender process. FCT expects to be able to share the figure sometime in early 2027, Ng said.

The enhanced mall, spanning over 425,000 sq ft, will have a rebalanced tenant mix with close to 250 stores offering everyday essentials, unique fashion, healthcare, beauty and experiential dining concepts.

There will also be new community spaces, family-friendly amenities and upgraded facilities, while each level of the mall will be curated into a distinct lifestyle zone.

In late July, Metro had said it would downsize its premises at both Causeway Point and Paragon by closing its existing large-format department stores when the leases conclude, and instead shift towards more flexible multi-concept stores.

Metro is currently the anchor tenant at Causeway Point, occupying about 54,000 sq ft.

At the MOU signing event on Oct 20, Ng confirmed that FCT is still in discussions with Metro on next steps. "They have talked about potentially doing a modular concept… They would like to stay on and we do see the value they bring… It’s about getting the right concept that works for our newly revamped Causeway Point," he added.

The mall's AEI comes as northern Singapore continues to grow as a major residential and commercial hub, supported by sustained population growth and the planned addition of more than 50,000 new homes.

First opened in 1998, Causeway Point has been welcoming over 27 million shoppers annually in recent years.

Its location within the Woodlands Regional Centre, direct connectivity to the Woodlands MRT and bus interchanges and proximity to the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link makes it well-positioned to serve a growing northern region, Ng said.

"Yet as we know, every successful mall needs to evolve over time," he added. To stay ahead and capture the growth opportunities in the northern region of Singapore, the Reit aims to transform Causeway Point into a leading regional mall.

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