Istana Park to undergo expansion, part of Orchard Road to be pedestrianised from 2025

As part of efforts to rejuvenate Orchard Road as a lifestyle destination and to ‘Bring Back the Orchard’, the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will redesign the current 1.3ha Istana Park.

The Istana Park will combine with the existing Dhoby Ghaut Green and Penang Road Open Space to become about thrice its current size.

The existing buildings within the Istana Park are proposed to be redeveloped to become the Istana Gallery and the Glass House, to house state gifts and Singapore’s horticultural collections respectively.

A 500m stretch of Orchard Road, from Buyong Road to Handy Road, will also be pedestrianised to allow the new park to be better integrated with the Istana entrance and commercial establishments in the area.

First announced in 2020, the plans include a new expanded park, pocket parks, gardens, and planting of multi-layered shrubs and trees, showcasing a range of herbs, spices and fruit trees. 

There will also be a nature playgarden with a water play area, a flexible event space at Orchard Road, and a new orchid-themed garden enhanced with fragrant orchids suitable for butterfly habitats.

The orchid-themed garden will be located at the current Penang Road Open Space, which is part of the Orchard Butterfly Trail curated by Nature Society.

NParks and URA have also mentioned in a joint statement that agencies will review the longer term plans for the plots affected by the park revamp works and road diversion.

Enhancement works are estimated to be completed progressively from 2025.