Opera Gallery remained shut on Monday, one day after a stand-off with its landlord, Toshin Development, which has the master lease at Ngee Ann City.
On Sunday morning, security guards from Toshin had sealed off the premises and tried to move the artworks worth US$20 million to vacate the unit for a new tenant.
It was not because Opera Gallery did not pay its rent, but according to Toshin, it has a new tenant which provides a better retail mix.
Opera Gallery said that since the standoff, power to the premises has been cut and the alarm system and CCTV cameras needed to protect the artworks no longer work.
Lawyers for Opera Gallery had written to Toshin to ask for the premises to be reopened by this Friday so that they can do an inventory check.
Meanwhile, lawyers on both sides have not reached an agreement on whether or not Opera Gallery can continue operating there.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 2 Feb 2009