Far East Flora opens Il-storey flower and gardening haven in Clementi

Nature and gardening enthusiasts now have a new attraction to visit, with the opening of an 11-storey floral-themed shopping mall by wellknown florist chain Far East Flora.

- Shabana Begum

The Far East Flora Centre - located in Clementi next to the Singapore University of Social Sciences - sells 1,000 types of flowers and more than 500 plants, a suite of gardening products and home decor items. The garden centre also houses a cold warehouse selling fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables at wholesale prices.

The building's facade has lush greenery spilling out of the balconies. Other features include a rooftop garden selling larger plants and edibles, a studio for workshops, a gourmet grocery store and an 80seater eatery.

The centre, which officially opened on Friday, will also serve as the 58-year-old retailer's headquarters, with its corporate office taking up three floors.

Far East Flora has six existing nursery outlets in places including Thomson, Queensway and Bedok.

In setting up the first-of-its-kind centre, Far East Flora seeks to transform the gardening sector here and break the mould of a typical plant nursery, known by its distinctive sprawling layout crowded with potted plants.