Say, do you know Funan actually had two name changes over the years? It was first Funan Centre; then in 1997, it became Funan the IT Mall. Finally in 2005, it was renamed to Funan DigitaLife Mall.
(Image source: SPH.)
Say, do you know Funan actually had two name changes over the years? It was first Funan Centre; then in 1997, it became Funan the IT Mall. Finally in 2005, it was renamed to Funan DigitaLife Mall.
(Image source: SPH.)
While we're at it, do you know that before it became a place for geeks to congregate, the land on which the mall sits on - Hock Lam Street in the Civic District - was an area where hawkers used to sell food and fruit. Does Hock Lam St. sounds familiar? Yup, it was the birthplace of the famous Hock Lam Beef Noodles.
(Image source: Straits Times.)
Funan used to be a haven for music lovers, too. Early tenants include Roxy Records and Da Da Records. Pictured here in an ST file photo from 1997 was Roxy Records' founder Paul Lim. Roxy Records moved to the neighboring Excelsior in 2003 and is still around today. Da Da Records closed down in 2003. Younger readers will probably remember Sembawang Music Centre instead.
(Image source: Straits Times.)
Do you know that Challenger at Funan used to operate 24 hours? It started in March 1, 2011. But the company went back to a 10am to 10pm opening hours starting January 15, 2012, citing low shopper volume.
(Image source: Straits Times.)
Funan has seen several Windows launches, including Windows 7's midnight launch on October 22, 2009 and Windows 8's midnight launch on October 26, 2012.
Heck, even the forgettable Windows Vista had a launch event in Funan in 2007. For those old enough to remember, Windows 95 was also launched at Funan, though at the time, it was still called Funan Centre, not Funan DigitaLife Mall.
Ladies and gentlemen, Windows 95 launch in Funan. Can you guess the year? :)
(Image source: AsiaOne.)
Do you know that Digital Style, the multi-brand electronics concept store located at #03-01/41 is owned by Newstead Technologies? It opened in September 16, 2011.
The first Samsung Experience Corner at Funan opened in Challenger on October 25, 2012. It enables visitors to interact with Samsung's wide range of consumer electronics under one (Challenger) roof.
The first Windows Experience Zone also opened here a year earlier in 2011.
In 2013, Fujifilm launched its first digital camera studio, and it was located at Funan. Located at #04-23, the studio's aims are to give visitors a more hands-on experience with the cameras, and to serve as a venue to conduct workshops and seminars for photography newbies and enthusiasts.
(Image source: Fujifilm.)
Local custom PC outfit Aftershock opened its first Singapore concept showroom in Funan in mid 2013. Funan was chosen because it's a much more central location compared to Aftershock's first gaming showroom at Serangoon Road.
(Image source: Aftershock PC.)
Gamers will definitely remember this Diablo III launch at Funan. The queue was insane!
(Image source: Straits Times.)
The long lines at the StarCraft II launch in 2010. And who can blame them? Fans of StarCraft had been waiting for the sequel (not literally at Funan, but you get the idea) since 1998.
(Image source: AsiaOne.)
Speaking of which, the last game launched at Funan was Sony Computer Entertainment's Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, on May 9, 2016.
Over the past 10 years, the mall has played host to about 30 major game events, including huge fan favorites like Blizzard Entertainment's Star Craft II and the Halo franchise by Microsoft Studios. You can read more about Funan's gaming achievements in this Straits Times article.
(Image source:
Now's the time to blow our own trumpet. HardwareZone held the giant one-of-a-kind Iron Tech regional event in 2008, with the semis and final taking place at Funan.
Here's an article and some videos to relive those memories.
Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC at Funan? Yes, it's true.
Sadly, Taco Bell pulled out of Singapore completely in 2008.
And legend has it that there was an A&W at the old Funan Centre food court.
(Image source: mong789 on Flickr.)