New park in Orchard Road to combine Istana Park, Dhoby Ghaut Green and Penang Road open space

SINGAPORE – The Penang Road open space at the intersection of Orchard and Oxley roads is set to be turned into an Orchid Park, as part of plans to give the Dhoby Ghaut area a facelift.

The Orchid Park will be part of a new park that incorporates the existing open space, as well as Istana Park, Dhoby Ghaut Green and a 500m-long section of Orchard Road that will be pedestrianised.

More details on the amalgamated park – which will be more than thrice the size of the existing 1.3ha Istana Park and was proposed in 2019 as part of the Orchard Road Rejuvenation Plan – were announced by Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan at an event to update building owners and tenants within the precinct on plans for the area.

Tan said the Orchid Park will showcase “a wide range of orchids planted across different habitats, walkways and a lush environment”.

In a media release, the National Parks Board (NParks) said the variety of orchids will “collectively showcase orchids’ remarkable adaptability across different growing environments”, such as trees and wetlands.

NParks added that it is studying the use of nature-based solutions in the park, such as multi-functional water gardens to manage stormwater run-off, and structures akin to totem poles that will create habitats for wildlife.

Tan added that the rejuvenated area will have three sections – the Orchid Park and Orchid Plaza, Istana Park, as well as Dhoby Ghaut Green.

For the redeveloped Istana Park, NParks said the plan is to build a new ceremonial driveway that will be flanked by flagpoles and mature trees leading directly to the Istana’s main gate.

NParks said this driveway – which will serve as the Istana’s formal entrance – could potentially replace the existing Festive Arch that is at the park.

The board added that there could also be new indoor attractions at the Istana Park, such as galleries to showcase Singapore’s multicultural heritage and also “enhance the horticultural experience for visitors”.

Finally, on Dhoby Ghaut Green, NParks said that pedestrianising a 500m stretch of Orchard Road here would transform the area into “a refreshed green space contiguous with the Istana Park, Plaza Singapura, MacDonald House and Temasek Shophouse”.

NParks said that the pedestrianised stretch could be converted into an “Activity Promenade” – a flexible, multi-functional space that could be adapted for rest and recreational activities, such as outdoor art sessions, public performances, street markets and civic festivals.

It added that Dhoby Ghaut Green will house a garden that honours “the pioneering spirit and contributions of Singapore women”, noting that the garden was proposed in the White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development in 2022.

“We hope it will inspire women across all segments of life to participate actively in the community,” Tan said of the garden in a speech at the engagement event, which was held at Temasek Shophouse.

NParks added that the garden aims to introduce more flexible public spaces to support commemorative events and activities for women’s groups, as well as educational content for visitors.

Addressing Orchard Road businesses, developers and residents, Tan said: “While the Government can do so much to transform and plan and also seek your input, what will truly bring it to life is every single one of you.”

He said that he hopes that the plans unveiled for the area thus far will spark more ideas for the businesses there, and “inspire us to think boldly about how we can reimagine our beloved Orchard Road”.

“Over the coming year, we will refine many of these detailed designs – going beyond some of these ideas that I have outlined today – and then share the full vision next year,” said Tan.

Orchard Road Business Association chairman Mark Shaw said the association’s members are “generally supportive” of plans for the rejuvenated green spaces and pocket parks, as they recognise the potential of these spaces to enhance the vibrancy, connectivity and overall visitor experience of Orchard Road.

He added: “Members are mindful of potential business disruptions during the redevelopment phase, and trust that the relevant authorities will maintain close coordination on access and wayfinding to minimise impact.”

Chai Karim, principal of Karim Family Foundation, said the foundation would like to see the redevelopment plan “give some thought to how it engages with heritage sites in its vicinity”, such as the House of Tan Yeok Nee, a national monument that the foundation has owned since 2022.

She said the foundation sees heritage sites such as the House as a natural stop along the stretch of Orchard Road that will be rejuvenated, and welcomes opportunities to give input on “how heritage sites like ours can be woven into the visitor experience”.

For the House of Tan Yeok Nee in particular, Karim said she hopes the landscaping and design of the streetscape at the redeveloped Istana Park will include a view corridor that connects the park and the House, which will help the public to better locate it, and potentially draw visitors to its heritage gallery or food and beverage outlets.

Temasek Shophouse chief executive Yvonne Tay said that her organisation is looking forward to the pedestrianisation project, as it will mean less air and noise pollution.

Tay added that as a social impact hub that aims to bring communities together, Temasek Shophouse hopes to see more open plazas and green lawns as part of the rejuvenation, which people can easily access from the Shophouse in the future.

The Orchard Road Rejuvenation Plan was unveiled in 2019 by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Urban Redevelopment Authority and NParks.

Part of the project’s aim was to transform Orchard Road into a green oasis at the heart of the city and “bring back the orchard” to the area, which was formerly occupied by plantations during the colonial era.

To this end, Tan said on Aug 12 that the authorities are also studying having two pocket parks – possibly in Somerset and Handy Road – to provide additional spaces for rest and relaxation along Orchard Road.

A bridge that links Dhoby Ghaut Green to Fort Canning Park also remains under study, he said.

Taken together, these features – as well as the rejuvenated green spaces in Dhoby Ghaut – will be part of a 6km-long green connection that links key historic green and blue spaces in the heart of the city, such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Istana, Fort Canning Park and the Singapore River.

Earlier in 2026, STB’s assistant chief executive for experience development Jean Ng had said that when the Orchard Road Rejuvenation Plan was launched in 2019, it was envisaged as a 15-year one that would culminate in the redevelopment of Istana Park around the mid-2030s.

The public can view plans for the rejuvenated park at an exhibition held at Temasek Shophouse which will run until Aug 26.

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