6 iconic strata malls in Singapore and the stories behind them

Once known as Who Hup Complex, Golden Mile Complex is one of the first buildings in Singapore to have shops, homes and businesses all in the same building. This iconic mall was developed in the 1960s as part of the Urban Renewal Department's goal to remake central Singapore, and when it was first built, was highly sought after for unbeatable views of the sea. Golden Mile Complex's image took a hit over the years, even being called a 'vertical slum' by a Nominated Member of Parliament. Its got a grip on the hearts of locals though – in 2008, it was ranked third in a 2008 poll by The Straits Times about landmarks that should be preserved.

SHOP Golden Mile Complex is not known as Little Bangkok for nothing. Visit this Brutalist-style building for a taste of Thailand – from the famous Diandin Leluk and mookata shops, to the Thai supermarkets with authentic snacks and condiments on the first and second floor. Head to the third level for something more off the beaten path: occult shops. Check out our comprehensive guide to Golden Mile Complex for more things to do.

Just like Golden Mile Complex, Queensway Shopping centre is one of Singapore's first multi-purpose shopping malls. Also known as the Singapore Sports Mall, it's the go-to place today for affordable sportswear and accessories from the likes of Nike, Adidas and other well-known brands. In the past, the junction outside the mall was a roundabout known as Rumah Bomba Circus. Patrons visited the Malay barbers for haircuts and the street hawkers for satay, otah and other snacks. These roadside businesses eventually moved into Queensway Shopping Centre when it was opened in 1974.

SHOP We love Queensway Shopping Centre for its cheap, cheap sneakers, racquets and sporting apparel. As you browse, keep your eyes peeled for thrift and vintage shop Threadlightly (#02-22), and fuel up on delicious Katong Laksa on the ground floor. For more, read our guide to the best of Queensway Shopping Centre.

When it comes to street fashion, this grubby five-level mall just off Orchard Road is just the spot, offering everything from common Korean, China and Thailand imports to rare hype items up for sale. This, and the tattoo and piercing parlours, surely help with Far East Plaza's street cred and associations with youth culture. Interestingly enough, the mall has had a strong following among the youth since the 80s. It's said that fast food outlets there were popular hangouts for the cool kids of the day: the 'McDonald's Kids' of Orchard Road.

SHOP Pick up a secondhand book at Ana Bookstore (#05-01), shop for chic threads from Korea at Le Éclat Showroom (#04-53B) and chow down humble but delicious mee hoon kueh at Greenview Café (#04-96).

The fact that Bras Basah Complex is known today as something of a book haven is no accident. Built by the Housing Development Board in 1980, this 'City of Books' was meant from the start to be a book centre. The surrounding streets of North Bridge Road, Victoria Street and Bras Basah Road used to be lined with shophouses filled with bookstores, secondhand bookshops and stationery shops. It was home to one of the largest pre-war Chinese bookstores in Singapore, known as the Shanghai Book Company, before it relocated with many of its neighbours into Bras Basah Complex. The mall eventually became a centre for art and cultural events and performances, including local xinyao performances in the 80s.

SHOP If Art Friend (#03-33) doesn’t already have what you need, the many other tiny stationery and craft stores will. For inspiration, there are many art galleries such as San-Ee Art Gallery (#01-05) and G Art Gallery (#03-03), as well as the design tomes at Basheer Graphic Books (#04-19).

Before Beauty World Centre there was Dong Da Ya, a Japanese Occupation-era amusement park complete with cinemas, dance halls, food stalls and gambling dens. It was replaced by Beauty World Market, which was a maze of shacks selling everything under the sun: food, electronics, cosmetics, antiques and other curios. In 1962, Beauty World Town was added to the sprawling complex, selling yet another dizzying array of products with a fresh market tacked on to it. It was only after several fires ravaged the markets that it was marked for redevelopment, and stalls moved to the new Beauty World Centre across the street.

SHOP Beauty World Centre today is a patchwork of reflexology spas, interior design firms, provision shops and, yup, a 24-hour McDonald’s. Take the row of escalators up and you’ll find one of the few hawker centres in Singapore that is perched on a rooftop. The food is like a cuddle, with options including handmade mee hoon kway (from $3.50) and satay bee hoon (from $4). Hipster hawkers have also found their way up here, serving tonkotsu ramen ($6.90) at Buta Kin and affordable burgers at Hambaobao, cooked on the spot and served piping hot.

Peninsula Shopping Mall is notable not just as 'Little Myanmar' – it also has interesting ties to famed merchant and philanthropist Tan Tock Seng. It is said that his eldest son Tan Kim Cheng used to live on the land where the mall now sits, all the way till his death in 1892. So close was the association that the adjacent street – now Coleman Street – was called 'beside Chin Seng's house' in Hokkien and Cantonese. Peninsula Shopping Centre only sprung up in 1979. Built to the tune of $110 million, it slowly evolved into 'Little Myanmar' in the 1990s – it even had a Burmese-language library here once.

SHOP Go straight down to the basement, where dozens of musical instrument stores sit. You’ve got your guitars (Fenders, Gibsons, Ibanezes – they’re all here), pedals, amplifiers, drum kits, synths, accessories and basically anything you’ll need to rock out. Davis Guitar (#B1-40/41) has been a mainstay for decades, while Sound Alchemy (#B1-19) stocks the hyped-up Fender Japan models.