I agree with you that the business must stand for something to thrive, but you are referring to the feel of the mall as a whole, right? As in it needs to have a theme? Lifestyle, food, sports, education theme etc?
Talking about new orchard road malls, one very good example, Orchard Central. The concept is the same as other shopping malls like Wisma, Nex with clothing, cafe, restaurants, stationary shops, many things... *But on a whole, it is empty. Only certain shops/business like the Japanese restaurant Ootoya on the top floor and cold stone creamery on the ground floor are drawing crowds to their shops. What i meant to say is that it really depends on the individual business itself, how that shop/product/service would appeal to the people, *not the theme of the mall. Maybe you might notice that many shops in the heartland mall, especially the annex area are still pretty quiet even with the tuition centres.*
Like you say, just have to wait and see and hope for the best for p@p!*
Are you looking for a retail space or a residential unit here?