The ION Orchard retail component of Sun Hung Kai Properties' joint-venture Orchard Turn development in Singapore won in the business-to-business marketing category at the prestigious Asia Shopping Centre Awards presented by the International Council of Shopping Centres.

Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency Executive Director and Director of Orchard Turn Developments Jimmy Wong was delighted with the honour, saying: "SHKP is well known for premium property developments and we have an extensive portfolio of shopping centres in Hong Kong and on the mainland. This award is recognition of SHKP's quality tradition and shows our success in transferring our solid experience to Singapore's retail sector." He added that the mall has attracted top labels from around the world, many new to Singapore: "The innovative design, marketing and tenant mix at ION Orchard will set it apart as one of the best in the world."

The judges considered ION Orchard a major marketing success, crediting its strategy to attract top retailers to its over 300 stores and the multi-sensory show suite displaying the mall's vision, strategy and positioning. The ICSC Asia Shopping Centre Awards recognize outstanding achievements in the marketing and design/development of retail properties in the region. ION Orchard had already won for Best Architectural Entry and Best Retail Development over 20,000 square metres at the 2006 MAPIC EG Retail and Future Project Awards.

The Orchard Turn development in the heart of the famed Orchard Road is a joint venture by SHKP and Singapore's CapitaLand, with over a million square feet of retail space at ION Orchard and luxury homes at Orchard Residences. Its location above the Orchard Mass Rapid Transit station offers excellent connectivity; being easily accessible by train, bus and car. The 56-storey, 175-unit Orchard Residences will be the tallest building on Orchard Road at 218 metres when complete.

ION Orchard will be the focus with over 660,000 square feet of retail space offering an energetic, multi-sensory shopping experience new to Singapore. Eight levels of shopping – four above ground and four below – will feature a selection of world brands and an extensive food hall with a myriad of local and international cuisines.

The project was designed by leading British architects Benoy with distinctive features like wide shop fronts, spacious arcades and generous ceilings so that tenants can present their wares in inventive and visually captivating styles. Ample space will also allow for varied configurations such as duplex concept stores. ION Orchard will boast a striking 117-metres of frontage along Orchard Road, plus media architecture around its façade to showcase and telecasts of events.