New 1,000-seat theatre in Tanglin to be ready by 2030

Singapore's arts scene is set to expand with a new 1,000-seat performing arts theatre in Tanglin, slated for completion by 2030. This purpose-built proscenium theatre will be a central feature of a mixed-use development at the former Tanglin Shopping Centre site, which will also house retail, office, wellness, and cultural spaces, including a contemporary art museum.

“

The theatre will be a purpose-built 1,000-seat proscenium theatre – a traditional performance space framed by an architectural arch – located within the mixed-use development at the site of the former Tanglin Shopping Centre at 19 Tanglin Road.

The project is backed by Singapore-based Pacific Eagle Real Estate (PERE), with support from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the National Arts Council (NAC). The announcement came during the Patron of the Arts Awards 2026, highlighting a broader effort to increase the number and variety of arts spaces across the city-state.

“

The redevelopment is part of a broader effort to add arts spaces of different sizes across Singapore, according to NAC.

With a 1,000-seat capacity, the new venue will bridge the gap between existing major performing arts centers like the Victoria Theatre (around 600 seats) and the Esplanade's larger halls (over 1,600 seats). It is designed to accommodate larger-scale productions across various genres, including plays, musicals, dance, and music. The theatre is also expected to foster growth for local artists and arts professionals, particularly in technical theatre and arts management, while offering audiences enhanced access to both local and international performances.

“

The 1,000-seat capacity places the theatre between some of Singapore's existing major performing arts venues.

The Tanoto Art Foundation will manage the contemporary art museum, and the NAC will seek an operator for the theatre. Local arts groups will be eligible to bid for operational roles or form partnerships with international companies, with international applicants required to have a local collaborator. PERE has committed to waiving the theatre's base rent for its entire 20-year tenancy, a significant incentive for its operation.

“

The new venue is intended to support larger productions across different art forms, including plays, musicals, dance and music.