The location for the Singapore-KL high-speed rail (HSR) terminus has been announced, the Internet is trying to convince us that Jurong East will soon rival the CBD. It’s a tall order, but we’re on board! Here, we lay out a five-year plan to make it happen.

By 2016

Regular rooftop getai on top of JCube. For better or for worse, the beginning of any urban renaissance comes with the hipsters. Before the hot restaurants, bars and condos, let’s bring local indie bands for a rooftop party. It worked for People’s Park Complex.

More expensive shops. The URA recently moved out a few of Tiong Bahru’s beloved shops for licensing reasons. Bring the cute and pricey apparel and home ware shops to Jurong East, we say.

By 2017

A craft beer stall in every HDB. Before bringing the expensive bespoke cocktail bars, we nominate The Great Beer Experiment and Smith Street taps to bring some downtown charm to the HDBs.

Introduce an arts enclave. Six galleries are moving out of Gillman Barracks. Let’s partner with them to create a new arts hub around Jurong Port. Never mind the footfall: it’ll be oh so edgy! 

By 2018

By 2019

By 2020

Marina Bay Sands II. No way this terminus should be just a train station. It has to be a veritable lifestyle hub: five-star hotel, 57th floor bar with views of the Straits, theaters, fancy mall, drunk guys in suits, gamblers and more.