Iluma... not just another shopping center

*Shinta and I decided to check out the newly opened Illuma just next to Bugis Junction. Was not sure what to expect since we hadn't really heard much about it unlike others like Ion and Orchard Central.

Must say that the place was a pretty pleasant surprise!

What I like about the place is that it although it markets itself as a hip and happening place, unlike others like Orchard Cineleisure, it doesn't intimidate me with an overly youthful feel and is much less crowded. Just walking around is a much more enjoyable experience because of the well planned layout, high ceilings, open spaces and bright airy atmosphere with a large central open area.

Shops in Iluma are not the usual ones you find in generic shopping malls. The first few floors are sports shops while the next few levels are an assortment of shops including clothing, anime/comic speciality stores, etc.

On the 4th floor, there's a huge central area with tons of interesting restaurants, including a whole section with Japanese stores. *Shinta and I are quite eager to try out some of the izakayas there! There's also a Marble Slab store! It's along the same lines of the Cold Stone Creamery that I reviewed earlier.

The 5th floor onwards is where it starts to feel a little young and happening. Half of the space is taken up by a huge open Arcade with lots of interesting game machines including this ice-cream grabbing one. Unlike most other arcades which are usually dim and cramped with low ceilings, black walls and poor lighting, this one was open, spacious and brightly lit with white walls and surfaces.

The cinema which spans the other side of the 5th floor as well as the 6th floor came as a surprise because it wasn't run by the usual suspects: Golden Village, Eng Wah or Cathay, but by a newcomer, Film Garde.

Taking the escalator up to the 7th floor, we were surprised to find yet another arcade there, this time dark and poorly lit, but with a different range of machines including the more sporty ones like the ball throwing, ski simulation etc.

Just next to it was another area, which at first we thought was a club because of the huge signs outside saying "Ladies Night on...". Curious, we wandered in only to discover...

Haha... Dedicated gaming area with huge screens... they even provide Cup Noodles for those hardcore gamers!

The last interesting thing at Iluma would be the small restaurants and bars that are in this open area on the 7th floor. Unfortunately it wasn't open yet, but with the probably excellent night view of the surrounding buildings, it'll probably be pretty popular among the yuppies looking for a place to chill after work.