Please check through the pages of this thread for picture updates, and also the link below for overall skyline views:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=117086

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/103novdaypano.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/nskyline.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/103newton1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/103novskyline1.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/103skylinefromtp2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/103novenapano.jpg

Here are some new shots of Novena and Newton Rd, an area thats been seeing a sprouting of new highrise and ultra-slim condominiums lately. Enjoy :cool:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2294.jpg

spires
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2233.jpg

police HQ
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2264.jpg

United Square looks unique!
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2240.jpg

The Lincoln Modern - spotted
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2230.jpg

Novena Square
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2277.jpg

does United Square remind you of OUB?
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2243.jpg

Lincoln Modern again
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2242.jpg

upclose with the Revenue House
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2227.jpg

Lovely place, Raffles! ;)
I missed Great Eastern and love the simply smart design of Lincorn Modern!
I'm also starting to appreciate Novena Square. :cool:

Thanks baq!

Each unit of Lincoln Modern is 2 storeys, making it a total of 17 floors, but I think Moulmein Rise blows Lincoln away. I will add more pics later, including some of Moulmein Rise. ;)

Thank you for showing us those sleek & chic places of upscale living in Singapore, Raffi! :okay:

That's a very clever division of interior space: you're in an apartment building, and yet you get the feeling of living in a house due to the fact that the apartment is on two separate floors. :eek:

Cheers WH! :banana:

Those highrise apartments sure look sleek and chic outside, but in reality I heard that the units are very small, and are just the greedy developer's aims to squeeze as many units they can into a given plot -_-

Quite on the contrary, the units are relatively large. Just look at 1 Moulmein Rise, which has just two units per floor too, which would be huge even if the entire building is skinny overall?

Are you sure? apart from the 'interesting' Moulmein Rise & Lincoln Modern, I heard many of these apartments are quite small. Only the penthouses might be relatively bigger.

Depends on whether you are refering to the newer developments? And come to think of it, they may be purpose-built studio apartments! :D

The Lincoln Modern ,Moulmein Rise ,and Great Eastern Life Towers are so thin ,like dominos.

There's a ratehr stunning condo with lots of glass as well as concrete near the Moulmein.Any pictures of it?

A beautiful white condo
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103whitecondo.jpg

baqthier's favourite,1 Moulmein Rise
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103moulmein.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103moulmein2.jpg

United Square
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103DSCN2229.jpg

Novena Square
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103novsquare.jpg

Newton18
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103newton18.jpg

that white condo makes me think of elephant and ivory.. dunno why...

lincoln modern isn't actualy that big.. i think 1200 to 1300 if i remember correctly, but the double height living rooms really makes it feel very spacious. having philippe starck toilet fittings dont hurt as well.

i never knew the two triangular things on united square go inwards the higher it is! it's nice! it looks so much better after they cladded with blue glass

Those highrise apartments sure look sleek and chic outside, but in reality I heard that the units are very small, and are just the greedy developer's aims to squeeze as many units they can into a given plot -_-
Interesting, Raffi! I guess a similar pattern is true here. What little in terms of new apartment buildings has risen here in the past few years, the main gripe is that the units are too small. Barely large enough for a single person, maybe two, but surely too small for a family. Shoe boxes! Rabbit warrens! :rant:

i'm sure the small apartments in usa must still be big compared to those here :) just as those here are big compared to hk

You are probably right, heirloom ... and thank you for making that observation; it puts things into perspective. :)

Many thanks for those pics of Moulmein Rise Raff! Takes my breath away!..got more ah? :D
How about the construction of low-rise duplex near your place? Is it done? ;)
BTW, The Rotunda won 3rd place for SIA 2004 Facade Design Award for it's facade. :cool:
http://www.sia.org.sg/new/

I notice it is not easy to get a good view of Moulmein Rise of its front facade? The road dosent seem wide enough for a full tower view, and there are some inaccessible fields opposite...

that white condo makes me think of elephant and ivory.. dunno why...

i never knew the two triangular things on united square go inwards the higher it is! it's nice! it looks so much better after they cladded with blue glass

It looks like a nice soft confection. Cookies and cream.

btw United Square is my favourite. It is the tallest and oldest there yet looks so elegant. Its been around since I was in primary school and is like a cross between John Hancock in Boston & OUB.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103whitecondo2.jpg

Lincoln Modern's location offers more privacy than Moulmein Rise as its location is relatively secluded while the latter is by a main road. But Moulmein's taller.

@baq, unfortunately no, as huaiwei said it is quite hard to photograph -_-

and yes, the condo project at my place has topped out. The noise during its construction was so irritating! :rant:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103whitecondo2.jpg
Wow...you still have no idea what condo this is called, btw? Or is it the "Setia" thing you mentioned earlier?

I think it is the SETIA.

Looking at Novena picture, I can see Singapore keeps growing. 9 years ago when I go to Novena, I remember there are 2 buildings, one is the brown with spire and the other is the glassy, cascade building next to it.

You describe the two buildings you remember just beautifully, Teddybear! I can pinpoint them immediately from the last photo post. :)

The area has obviously grown tremendously since your last visit. :okay:

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/DSCN2336.jpg
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/DSCN2337.jpg
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/DSCN2338.jpg

Cool!

A close-up of Moulmein's peak would be absolutely stunning.When we have enough shots we can put it in rate our talls.:D

A close-up of Moulmein's peak would be absolutely stunning.

:banana:

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/moul.jpg

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/moul2.jpg

*swoons* so shuai

Moulmein is really super-tall for a 23 storey building!

Its 27 storeys actually.

Here's a model of Moulmein Peak from URA(7/6/04):

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN11091.jpg

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/moul.jpg
http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/moul2.jpg

:cry::cry::master::master:

http://www.lifeisgreat.com.sg/NASApp/lifeisgreat/pub/properties/images/newton.jpg
Are these those super-slim twin towers with the Great Eastern Life logo at the top?

Are these those super-slim twin towers with the Great Eastern Life logo at the top?

yup. theyre called Newton Gems.

Some night pics for a change :cool:

Amaryllis Ville

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/novnite2.jpg

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/novnite5.jpg

Lincoln Modern

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/novnite4.jpg

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/novnite3.jpg

Love the neon tops

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/novnite.jpg

I tot you are a neon hater?! :D I wont expect the novena area to be brightened up much anyway...its a residential district!

hmmmmmmmmmmmm

I think I like neon, BUT if its subtle :cool:

at least it lights up the Newton Rd @ night, or it will be too dark :yes:

They are all so nice. I wish I could visit a unit of each the next time I'm in Sg :)

http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/viewsgapart2.jpg
By Baq! :D

Police HQ

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/policehq.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/policehq2.jpg

Revenue House

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/rh298.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/rh298a.jpg

Another look at the Police HQ at New Phoenix Park
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103npp.jpg

http://www.meinhardt.com.au/media/userimages/imageB3288592358.jpg

Meinhardt provided civil and structural engineering services for this project comprising two identical 30-storey residential towers with a total of 190 units with service core for all units. At the first storey, the towers are surrounded by an environmental deck that boasts a lush and green landscape with an intersecting water feature whilst the basement serves as the vehicle drop-off point, main carpark area and M&E rooms. The residential towers have unusually high slender ratio of 8.15 which is much higher than many of the skyscrapers in the South-East Asia region. This aspect ratio has not only helped in materializing the slenderness of the two towers, it has also made the development one of the most challenging projects in terms of building stiffness. Winner of BCA Best Buildable Design Awards 2004.

No. 1 Moulmein Rise - Singapore

http://www.meinhardt.com.au/media/userimages/imageB3288000180.jpg

Meinhardt provided integrated engineering services for this prestigious residential project comprising 9,480.69 sqm of habitat floor area. The project boasts several innovative design features that allows the 27-storey residential building which is slender by classification to fit in the small plot of land (Ratio of 8.3).
The 50 units apartments are housed in a slim 27-storey tall residential building with 2 levels of basement carparks. The slender tall building was designed on the coupled-shearwalls / corewalls methodology with flat plate system providing the diaphragm action. The utilisation of sheerwalls ensure that the serviceability motions from winds that are within acceptable limits that does not psychologically or physiologically effect the occupants. Integration of many buildable design features and highly industrialised construction techniques have assisted in achieving rapid construction with high quality.

What is plot ratio?

probably the gross floor area of the development (not sure if it includes the land area) compared to the land area... eg plot ratio of 6 for a 20 square foot piece of land would mean you could build 120 sq ft on it.. i think

In Novena now we have 4 super-slim towers, looking kinda like cards. :cool:

Now for some new pics - enjoy! :cool:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/nov189a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/nov189.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/nov189c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/nov189d.jpg

Cool to see that new condo beside Novena Square is ready! :D

It's awfully short.

It's awfully short.
Yeah...but theres space behind for a taller building what. :D

Yup thats the Novena Suites and its been ready since earlier this year. I think it looks nicer from the front with a grand entrance and at night it doesnt look too bad as well :cool: I'd hope for something taller and hopefully that green field behind will yield something!

So disappointed by the height. :(

There's no denying it: Novena Rocks. I really miss seeing it everyday....

Yup thats the Novena Suites and its been ready since earlier this year. I think it looks nicer from the front with a grand entrance and at night it doesnt look too bad as well :cool: I'd hope for something taller and hopefully that green field behind will yield something!
It has lighting at night? Wil love to see a picture of that! :eek:

It might be a tad short...but it looks awesome.....:D

I hope there are more pictures coming up......;)

Raffie!! great pictures!!!
i like the mix with skyscrapers and the palms!:)

pictures no 3-4 and 7 i like:)

Some recent pics

http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~mippy/nov.jpg

http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~mippy/nov2.jpg

http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~mippy/nov3.jpg

http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~mippy/nov4.jpg

http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~mippy/nov5.jpg

http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~mippy/nov6.jpg

First pic, the red roof thing. A temple?

What's the road name?

yes thats a temple

Its Keng Lee Rd :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/redstone/novena4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/redstone/novena5.jpg
I forgot to set the capture size to bigger mode.:bash:
I think I'll go up again tomorrow. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/redstone/Ansley.jpg

wow cool! :eek:

can really see the inverted shape of Novena Square and the polic HQ look powerful.

notice how shiny the glass buildings are even in the gloomy weather

grey skies are very nice to look at :D

Newton Gems

http://www.pbase.com/image/37647670.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/37647667.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/37649328.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/37649516.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/redstone/ttshnovena.jpg
View of Novena's central cluster from TTSH


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/redstone/npptwin.jpg
NPP, from the second closest place anyone can get to take a full shot...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/redstone/nppspireclose.jpg
Closeup of the spire

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/redstone/nppttsh.jpg
Ground shot, from walkway behind Novena Square. U/c is the Novena Medical Centre.

:applause:

the first shot is an excellent angle! captures the density of Newton very well

what floor of TTSH did u take the pics from? is entrance easy?

I wonder if those are staircases or walking platforms inside the spires of the NPP.

Took from the lift lobby of the wards. They're very public! :D

The NPP shot was taken from the non-air-con side of the building, from the smoking area...
Of course no one was smoking then! :D

Newton Gems at sunset

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/gems.jpg

I have a Novena pano on a gloomy day in my photos' thread! :D
Awaiting to be pano-rised! :D :(

there is? will look at it soon :P

Newton Gems shine like gems!

The distinctive angle of United Square

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/unitedsquare.jpg

:) Great pictures Redstone and Rafflescity!

thanks!

here are more to enjoy :cool:

Looking up at Amaryllis Ville and Newton18
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nv2.jpg

Straight ahead is the super flat Newton Gems
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nv3.jpg

Lincoln Modern
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nv4.jpg

Setia
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nv1.jpg

The first pic looks so awe inspiring!

the giants of Newton Rd :D

Newton18 has a skygarden visible too

Will post more pics of Amaryllis next.

Suites would be a great addition, with its a la Millennia crown! :banana::cool:

Another look at Newton GEMS

http://img105.exs.cx/img105/8575/gems1wq.jpg

The Sentinel

14-storey, 1 unit per floor (108 sq meters), west face is woven perforated aluminium, rather interesting:
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/050128_sentinel01.jpg

Other side... Not so pretty ^^
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/050128_sentinel02.jpg

west-face is funky! ^^

MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek2:
Novena is getting very futuristic!!!! :cool:

More shots, more, more, more!!!!! :banana:


RC, take more shots of the weaving facade!!!

:lol:

I will definitely try to get in more angles of The Sentinel, although that area is quite tight and built-up.

It surely is funky :yes:

Jesus...never seen this one before! :eek:

Moulmein Rise, Lincoln Modern, Sentinel (reminds me of the Sentinelese tribe hit by tsunami...), Newton Suites...

So many metallic and futuristic condos!!! :eek::cool:

I can't wait!!! :banana:

Moulmein Rise, Lincoln Modern, Sentinel (reminds me of the Sentinelese tribe hit by tsunami...), Newton Suites...

So many metallic and futuristic condos!!! :eek::cool:

I can't wait!!! :banana:

Is the Sentinel for sale yet or fully sold? can't find any sales txn... :?

Is the Sentinel for sale yet or fully sold? can't find any sales txn... :?

It is launched already according to heirloom
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=106283&page=9&pp=20

I wonder what the weaving thingy looks like from up close. Looks so complicated from afar...

It is launched already according to heirloom
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=106283&page=9&pp=20

I found the website http://www.thesentinel.com.sg/

But, no sales txn under "The Sentinel" or "Sentinel" on redas and URA websites... Probably, no lodged caveats yet... But, the Sail already has txns up to Jan 05... :? Strange.

I found the website http://www.thesentinel.com.sg/

But, no sales txn under "The Sentinel" or "Sentinel" on redas and URA websites... Probably, no lodged caveats yet... But, the Sail already has txns up to Jan 05... :? Strange.

I am surprised there's a swimming pool..the plot is REALLY small! :eek:

maybe u can call them up and ask? :P

Sentinel is too short, too!
Swimming pool?! :eek:

The Sentinel


omg :eek: looks so industrial and clean! good photo Pengui!

It looks really tiny here though.

btw you can see the construction site for Newton Suites in between the GEMS :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/avview3.jpg

Had it been taller than GEMS... :eek2:

Suites will be taller though, tall and metallic, like Moulmein Rise :)

It looks really tiny here though.

btw you can see the construction site for Newton Suites in between the GEMS :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/avview3.jpg

thats a cool photo raffie!:cool: so Novena and Newton is like the new high-rise cluster? :)

Yes, can you imagine that in 1996 there were only like less than 10 skyscrapers?
Can RC confirm history?

Yes, can you imagine that in 1996 there were only like less than 10 skyscrapers?
Can RC confirm history?

The only tall buildings then were United Square, Goldhill Plaza and Revenue House. The apartments werent so tall then, and quite old.

Heres an old pic of Newton and Novena. You could see Hotel Royal so clearly then.

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980007449-8263-3201-0180/img0027.jpg

Revenue House was the last to be built before the skyscraper boom of the area...

The growth kinda took off after Novena Square was completed in 2000

it used to be a cemetery.

One thing is that Novena is getting more and more futuristic...

With towers like Moulmein, Lincoln, Suites and Sentinel... :yes:

We even have a mini, compressed OUB! :D

thats a cool photo raffie!:cool: so Novena and Newton is like the new high-rise cluster? :)

Newton and Novena indeed is becoming a new high-rise cluster but most buildings in these two areas are Residential. The two areas are just outside the shopping belt known as Orchard Road..and tht is also y the apartments there are quite expensive

The growth kinda took off after Novena Square was completed in 2000

it used to be a cemetery.

tht is y some ppl become millionaire overnite becoz of all those endblocks sale...

i read something abt making novena a secondary office site besides the CBD...

^

yup

I found this article from the May-June 2002 issue of the URA magazine.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline02/skyline02-03/images/p3h.gif

Pedestrians and cafe patrons enjoying shelter and cool respite along the covered walkway at Novena Square.
http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline02/skyline02-03/images/pix3a.gif

At the heart of Novena Fringe Centre, Novena Square - with offices, shops,
and various transport modes all under one roof.
http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline02/skyline02-03/images/pix3.gif

It does not surprise. Slowly but surely, Novena is becoming what it was meant to be - vibrant and thriving.

In 1995, URA announced the development guide plan for Novena, envisioning the area to be "an urban community with a rich variety of commercial and residential developments in close proximity to the city". One of the planning strategies was to develop the land around Novena MRT station as a Fringe Centre (see box story).

Since then, URA's urban design plan has guided subsequent developments and our sale of sites process and post-sales co-ordination efforts have facilitated implementation of these plans to create the distinctive commercial centre and quality living environment that Novena is today.

Transport hub

Novena Square is today a transport hub for the area, with Novena MRT station located directly beneath Novena Square. Working together with the Land Transport Authority (LTA), URA's plans ensured that the bus stop, taxi stand, car drop-off and MRT entrance are fully integrated with the development. Transferring between modes of transport is seamless and also 'weather-proof'. MRT commuters exit directly into the shopping centre and conveniently outside to the taxi bay and bus stop.

More pedestrian linkages

One of the key proposals in URA's urban design plan for Novena was to provide a comprehensive network of covered walkways, underpass connections and throughblock links to facilitate movements between the various developments and Novena MRT station.

To enable pedestrians to walk comfortably from Thomson Road to Sinaran Drive and onwards to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, URA's plans required a covered throughblock link on the first storey of the Novena Square development to be built over the existing MRT station.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline02/skyline02-03/images/pix3b.gif
http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline02/skyline02-03/images/pix3c.gif

In addition, activity-generating uses such as shops and food outlets were to be provided along this dedicated walkway. The end result is the lofty covered galleria that is built directly over the station and forms the main shopping thoroughfare in Novena Square. Similar provisions will be required of the developer for the latest sale site at Sinaran Drive (see "The next big thing" section next page) to ensure continuity and vibrancy of this thoroughfare.

URA's urban design plan also included an underpass from Novena Square to Goldhill Centre under the very busy Thomson Road and Newton Road junction, which is currently being built. URA's post-sales co-ordination efforts have succeeded in achieving the desired outcome.

The developer of Novena Square had originally proposed an underpass and a sheltered walkway that did not link to the MRT station directly. This meant that pedestrians would have to exit from the underpass to the Novena Square plaza and walk along the covered walkway to get to the MRT station entrance.

URA worked closely with the developer to explore various options. The outcome as desired - an underpass and walkway connected directly from Goldhill Centre to the MRT station expected to be ready later this year!

In anticipation of the increased pedestrian traffic from this upcoming underpass from Novena MRT station to the Goldhill Centre, the existing United Square development beside Goldhill Centre is currently undergoing major refurbishment.

Another underground link will be built in the future. The developer of the Sinaran Drive sale site is required to provide an underpass linking the MRT station to the other side of Sinaran Drive towards Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The underpass will be connected directly to the hospital foyer via a covered linkway. When it is realised, visitors to the hospital will be able to walk in total covered comfort from the MRT station.

But still not many offices...

United Square
Novena Square
Revenue House
Goldhill Plaza

quite decent for a suburban location? afterall it is largely a residential area

speaking of which I do think the highrise boom at Newton is also being quietly matched by Balestier. Lots of highrise apartments have also gone up there recently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/newtonskyline2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/newtonskyline.jpg

Yikes! :eek::cool:

haha

Amaryllis Ville (those colourful things are some fengshui design apparently)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/amville.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/amville2.jpg

New Phoenix Park
http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/npp.jpg

Here's the Novena View from the Istana ;)
http://img205.exs.cx/img205/2290/novena4kx.jpg

very like a garden city! :D

interesting news: all the apartments in the sentinel were actually snapped up by one developer! the four property agents involved hardly had to do any selling :uh:

Any pics of that old highrise hotel?:?
Forgot the name...

That new church looks nice, like post-modern art deco!!! :D:cool:

Hotel Royal?

but its ugly!

Royal... :yes:
Any pics?:D

next time I'll try to get a pic of it :)

Cant help it when its so hot and glassy :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/hg.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/hg2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/hg3.jpg

Uhoh, great ones ! Especially the first one ^^

Thanks ^^ I like the last one somehow :cool:

ok less glass now

http://img236.exs.cx/img236/9505/nt5cf.jpg

http://img228.exs.cx/img228/6654/nt20pm.jpg

http://img225.exs.cx/img225/6087/nt32zh.jpg

WOW!!!!!! :eek2:
The last 2 pics look so...so... :cool:

uh,... i agree.. except it hink its the first and last.

Glad you like them heir :okay:

Royal... :yes:
Any pics?:D

:)

Hotel Royal is ancient, built in the 70s and I think its the only hotel in the area.
http://img227.exs.cx/img227/6962/royal4uo.jpg

http://img223.exs.cx/img223/1280/royal28vd.jpg

Art-Deco patterns?
http://img208.exs.cx/img208/9486/royal33bg.jpg

Its recent neighbour, the super-flat Newton Gems.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/ngems.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/ngems2.jpg

:eek:
Looks like this shopping centre in Orchard (forgot the name) that also has patterns at the base.

do you mean Hilton Hotel?

Hilton's hotel patterns still look better, even though the thing as a whole is an eyesore, much more noticeable than this one ^^

i would like to see the paris hilton bitching about the local hilton hotel - then demolishing and building a swanky new building :D

I remember reading some post here about the renovation of Hilton hotel cladding. That was a long time ago, and nothing happened since then :-)

17 Feb 2005
Novena + Toa Payoh @ Night
PS. Red, HDB Hub quite dark at night... :(

http://img209.exs.cx/img209/396/novenanight1eq.jpg

the few towers with their tops lit beside the hdb hub are the new 40 storey flats?

Yes, Heirloom. Those with orange lights on ;)

i wonder how long they'll remain lit.. it would be nice if all hdb flats were lit!

That will be marvellous!

See Rowell Court in the latest singarama post? Their top is also brightly-lit at night... :)

the ones with the pyramidal tops right? yar.. doest cost much to light a building does it?

the ones with the pyramidal tops right? yar.. doest cost much to light a building does it?

Yes... Erm... not sure about electricity cost. Maybe, Kit will know? :)

Elegant lights on top of HDB flats is a great idea... maybe, they should at least switch it on for special days like UOB does, if electricity cost is a concern. ;)

can use solar power (expensive to install but cheaper in the long run is it? not sure..) to be environmentally conscious.

Guess the best is to invent some reflective designs along/on HDB buildings that make use of lunar power... that will sparkle like those road reflectors along Eng Neo Drive... heh... maybe, idea too far-fetch and distracting for motorists along the road...

isnt lunar power a little weak? :uh:

Yes, very. :lol:

Rare to see HDB's sides flooded... :cool:

The most famous building in Novena - the church.

http://www.pbase.com/image/40087035.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/40087036.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/40087037.jpg

moon can be seen a lot these days
http://img202.exs.cx/img202/9568/novmoon6bw.jpg

GLASSY

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/fglass2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/fglass.jpg

Ayoh.. glass everywhere... haha... i still adore novena square... reminds me of a giant chocolate bar for some reason... and united square reminds me of swiss cheese...

Blue chocolate? :lol:

The Sentinel

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/sentinel.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/sentinel2.jpg

I wonder what's inside the weaving thingy....
Stairs?

tht weaving thing i tink is stainless steel, if there's light inside, might give some very cool reflection at night...

simplistic design but looks modern

It IS stainless steel.....

Looks like a wicker basket to me. Haha

That weaving pattern motif is also repeated on the car driveway gate. The building is designed by SCDA Architects, same as Lincoln Modern

You've mention it's one apartment per floor???

Someone mentioned it..i think so too as its a rather small building

I have seen this... Interesting building design. Just find it weird to have letterboxes near the entrance where there's no rain shelter. Wouldn't it be better near the lift and sheltered?

3 exquisite pics by hyacinthus :cool:

Lincoln Modern & co.
http://img119.echo.cx/img119/7704/dsc11112ht.jpg

Amaryllis Ville
http://img184.echo.cx/img184/4116/dsc11142sf.jpg

Goldbell Tower
http://img229.echo.cx/img229/4894/dsc10947vp.jpg

Good enough to make the advertisement of the building ^^

Newton and Novena in a distance from Rowell Court

http://img133.echo.cx/img133/6016/dsc19405al.jpg

As always, you post beautiful pictures.

Thank you for your compliment.

11 Apr 2005

http://img14.echo.cx/img14/8345/dsc11076jm.jpg

Newton Circus Hawker Center - Newly Completed Loos

http://img8.echo.cx/img8/5977/dsc11009fp.jpg

wow..thats really bright! :eek:

I also like this pic
http://img133.echo.cx/img133/6016/dsc19405al.jpg

hey my cousin live in newton 18 and he lived in 18 storey going to take some pics of the house and the views!!!

oh try to do that encon! Newton 18 is so slim! :eek:

and here are some of its neighbours

Amaryllis Ville
http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/shine.jpg

Setia
http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/shine2.jpg

i thought it was fat?

but there are no fat condos there...all are very slim!

dunno maybe curvaceous makes me think fat :p

anyway the newton circus toilets look like the ones in night safari! hope they're maintained well.

Rebuilt Newton food centre opening in 2006

10 May 05

Makeover soon after a year's delay; stalls temporarily sited at Monk's Hill Terrace

By Lim Wei Chean

HAWKERS at the landmark Newton Food Centre will pack up and go before the year's out, to make way for a massive makeover.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-05-10/h3.jpg

The almost 35-year-old open-air food court is to be closed in the fourth quarter of this year, the National Environment Agency said, after nearly a year's delay in the plans to refurbish it.

The new-look centre is expected to open in the middle of next year, said the agency.

The hawkers, in the meantime, will not go far. They will move to the open field in Monk's Hill Terrace, next to the Shell petrol station along Bukit Timah Road.

A temporary food centre will be built for them to continue operating for about nine months while the centre is torn down and rebuilt.

The original plans for the new centre are also getting a makeover, said Ms Indranee Rajah, the area's Member of Parliament, when she told The Straits Times why the food centre was not closed as scheduled last December.

'One of the main reasons is that the hawkers wanted to stay together,' said Ms Rajah, MP for Tanjong Pager GRC.

Their association wrote to to the authorities, asking that they be given a temporary site to continue business for the duration of the re-building. It was sent last June, said the chairman of the Newton Hawker Centre Stallholders' Association, Mr Chen Kern Wuan.

They were given the go-ahead and grassroots leaders pitched in to help them with the applications for the various permits that they needed.

The paperwork was not completed in time, and the centre could not be closed until the hawkers had found an alternative venue.

In the meantime, Ms Rajah added, the new centre's design was returned to the drawing board. 'We want to ensure that it will have excellent facilities and also maintain its appeal to the public.'

She did not give details on the final look nor the amount to be spent on the new centre. But it will have bigger stalls, a higher roof, new plumbing, sanitary and exhaust systems and a better bin centre and toilets.

Efforts will be made to keep the trees around it and for it to remain an open-air eating place, according to earlier reports.

Meanwhile, Mr Chen said the main task now is to get contractors to build the temporary site, which will be big enough for all the 88 hawker stalls to move in.

The cost of putting up the temporary centre will be borne by the association and its members, he said in Mandarin.

All the stallholders interviewed said they would move to the temporary food centre. The reason given by Mr Philip Sng, 48, a duck and chicken rice hawker, was typical.

He said: 'Newton Food Centre is well-known among locals and tourists. It's a good location to continue my business which I may not get if I move elsewhere.'

Regular patrons of the stalls, like businessman Ronald Lim, 55, are delighted that the hawkers will stay open.

'I love eating here at Newton, and I will certainly continue to patronise the stalls at their interim location.'

Strange. Upgraded the toilets first then do the food center?

The toilets were upgraded a few years already

whats interesting is that this seems to be the umpteenth makeover for the place...lets hope they do it right yet retain the charms of it :)

I rarely eats at newton. :)

Once a place is renovated, the old charms are gone. It holds true for other things as well.

Wow according to encon, his extended family lives in every notable condo, from BLVD to Newton 18. Where are the pics that he promised us, huh?

RafflesCity: you may be interested to know that Lincoln Lodge (behind Newton Suites) and Elmira Heights (next to the tacky yellow Newton Euro-Asia) have both been successfully en-bloc'ed. So we'll be seeing two new high-rise condos in the area in the next 5-10 years. Hope they design and build with taste.

Euro-Asia: what's up with this company??? Why are all their condos painted in this sick shade of yellow? Their Newton and Thomson condos look really sickly. What's sad is the buildings' architecture is not bad... just a pity that they had to paint them in that color.

^

Yah..theres a lot more potential but the biggest one now u/c is Park Infinia

Apparently there are 2 projects that are listed with URA but not yet launched

Miro(128 units) along Keng Lee Rd
VIVA(284 units) at Jalan Korma/Thomson Rd

I wonder what theyll do with the power station at Newton Circus though..or if its a permanent fixture there :?

my humble contribution to this thread, taken from my 12th storey balcony

Setia on the left, GEMS on the right (partially hidden)
http://files.photojerk.com/jchua76/P5310002.JPG


Newton 18 (right), The Linc (center, under construction), Amarylis Ville (center), Lincoln Modern (left), Newton Euro-Asia (extreme left)
http://files.photojerk.com/jchua76/P5310004.JPG

you stay in Newton too?

It'll be great if you could take a night shot of Amaryllis. It's really pretty at night. :)

you stay in Newton too?

It'll be great if you could take a night shot of Amaryllis. It's really pretty at night. :)

the best i can do... somehow not as pretty as when you take it :)

http://files.photojerk.com/jchua76/newton18andamaryllisville.JPG

It's okay. :)

you are using a digital camera that has manual mode? If so, try to use the lowest ISO possible say 50 or 100. For night shots, set to Manual mode. Use exposure on 10-15sec, aperture f/16 or largest number your can set to. Place it on a tripod and take the picture using timer. You can try playing with the settings yourself by varying the exposure time and aperture to learn on your own. It's really fun when you got the gist of it. :)

Thanks for sharing your pics jchua! Those are unique perspectives and I like the 2nd one.

btw theres a new project soon coming up on Lincoln Rd (opposite Lincoln Modern). Think its called Iridium and is 18 floors.

I'm back :)

Thanks for sharing your pics jchua! Those are unique perspectives and I like the 2nd one.

btw theres a new project soon coming up on Lincoln Rd (opposite Lincoln Modern). Think its called Iridium and is 18 floors.

no problem man. i'd better brush up on my photo-taking skills. thanks for the technical advice hyacinthus.

re: Iridium. Not launched yet, new and only prime-district project by the Novelty Group, an upstart developer (2 Indian brothers) AND main contractor. They really do it all.

Novelty group: brash enough to launch 3 projects at the same time: Bluwater(Pasir Ris), Vanadium (district 8) and Platinum Edge(district 13).

High quality designer finishings (PoggenPohl, Duravit by Phillip Starck, de Dietrich, Gessi) - as I'm sure you guys saw in the newspaper ads, excellent use of interior space (a 1,100 sf apartment with 3+1 bedrooms???), and nicely designed and copywritten brochures/marketing campaign.

The wonderful thing is that, less than one month after launch: Bluwater has only 4 units left unsold, Platinum edge is 70% sold, and Vanadium is 80% sold.

Judging by their acumen and performance in the market so far, if the Novelty Group IPOs I'll be the first in line to queue for their shares.

Hi Every1,

newbie on this forum.
Hope nobody minds some comments from a resident in the area.
Many years back, when I look out from my hdb flat the only high-rise was united square and goldhill plaza. I could even see as far as macritchie reservoir.
Now, my eyes are blinded by shimmering "matchsticks" and "totem poles".
hiak, hoping to move soon.

brash enough to launch 3 projects at the same time: Bluwater(Pasir Ris), Vanadium (district 8) and Platinum Edge(district 13).

High quality designer finishings (PoggenPohl, Duravit by Phillip Starck, de Dietrich, Gessi) - as I'm sure you guys saw in the newspaper ads, excellent use of interior space (a 1,100 sf apartment with 3+1 bedrooms???), and nicely designed and copywritten brochures/marketing campaign.

but all the kitchens and bathrooms in their three different projects look the same!! imagine if i lived in bluwater and i visit someone in platinum edge and realise we have the same kitchena nd bathrooms... so weird. plus i remember at least some apartments matched the poggenpohl kitchens with cheap ceramic tiles. what's the point then???? well you get smooth kitchen cabinet action but eyesore floors.. not really what i'd go for.

Hi Every1,

newbie on this forum.
Hope nobody minds some comments from a resident in the area.
Many years back, when I look out from my hdb flat the only high-rise was united square and goldhill plaza. I could even see as far as macritchie reservoir.
Now, my eyes are blinded by shimmering "matchsticks" and "totem poles".
hiak, hoping to move soon.

Welcome to the forum!

Matchsticks? Quite an accurate description for some of the new buildings here :lol:

@jchua

hopefully Iridium will have another interesting design although I noted that the plot of land seems to be quite tight.

but all the kitchens and bathrooms in their three different projects look the same!! imagine if i lived in bluwater and i visit someone in platinum edge and realise we have the same kitchena nd bathrooms... so weird. plus i remember at least some apartments matched the poggenpohl kitchens with cheap ceramic tiles. what's the point then???? well you get smooth kitchen cabinet action but eyesore floors.. not really what i'd go for.


Yup i know what you mean about the mis-matched kitchens. The bathroom walls are also hideous. But give them time to get it right, they're relatively new in this business. Judging by the take-up rate, they are doing extremely well.

Going off tangent a little here, and I think it's really apples and oranges, given their uncompromising devotion to aesthetics over mere profit, SCglobal should be very pleased if their developments had the same sort of buyer interest as Novelty Group's. Went to The Lincoln Modern again over the weekend with an interested buyer friend, and they are still flogging the same units I saw half a year ago. Checked the URA caveats and discovered that recently-transacted prices have dropped significantly for The Lincoln Modern to a realistically affordable $950 psf or thereabouts, haha ;) But hell the immediate location seriously blows, and that may have accounted for drop in price, as home buyers have become more savvy and were spoilt for choice in the past couple of years. They (developers around the area and URA) really have to do something about the narrow roads in the Lincoln Rd area.

Back to our topic, Platinum Edge and Vanadium do not come cheap (relative to the area - districts 08 and 13). If I wanted to pay $650 - $700 psf, I would much rather buy an older condo with a better location, like Holland, Bukit Timah or Dunearn (D 10 & 11).

But like I said, the amazing thing is that people ARE buying those Novelty Group condos, and the developer is laughing their way to the bank.

Welcome to the forum!

Matchsticks? Quite an accurate description for some of the new buildings here :lol:

@jchua

hopefully Iridium will have another interesting design although I noted that the plot of land seems to be quite tight.


Speaking of tight plots in the area, there is an up-and-coming development by CapitaLand on Scotts Rd, near Newton Circus. The plot is extremely narrow, and it is sandwiched between Goldbell Towers and Sheraton Towers, very near the Newton MRT station. If I remember correctly the architects are WOHA but let me confirm that later when I go for supper. I might have confused the architects with that of the new freehold condo coming up next to 8@Mt Sophia on Handy Rd.

^

yes I do remember seeing WOHA on the signboard. I'll be quite excited should that project start because it will indeed be very slim..I saw a mock showroom structure that has been there for a long time.

I also realised that Chao Yang Special School has been in that area for at least 20 years..I wonder if such prime land there will be developed.

is it very difficult to get from the lincoln modern to an mrt station?

is it very difficult to get from the lincoln modern to an mrt station?

nah..its a short walk to Novena MRT station, you just need to walk to United Square and take the underground pass.

But I agree that Lincoln Rd, (an old road) is narrow and with all the new projects planned in that area, traffic there is going to increase with the rise in population density...but I wonder how fast will be the uptake of those big projects...

maybe there will occur the first double deck two lane road in sg

July 5, 2005
Novena Square to go sporty
New wing, new name in $22m revamp to turn mall into active lifestyle hub

By Joyce Teo

FIVE-YEAR-OLD Novena Square shopping mall in Thomson Road is the latest downtown mall to get a facelift.

Work started yesterday on a $22-million revamp that will be much more than skin-deep. A new three-storey wing will be built, adding about 50 per cent more space, and a bright green curved curtain wall erected across the front of the mall.

Novena Square is the latest to join the downtown shopping centres in trying to breathe new life into their retail areas. Among others is Raffles City, which is spending $40 million to nearly triple the amount of space given over to shops and eating outlets in its basement.

Along the Scotts and Orchard Road belt, Far East Plaza, for example, is undergoing $6.53 million worth of improvement, while Crown Hotel (the former Crown Prince) is expected to be upgraded to the tune of $21.5 million.

When the Novena Square makeover is completed in November next year, it will have a new name - VELOCITY @ Novena Square - and a tenant mix to reflect its new focus as a sports and active lifestyle hub.

The mall is majority-owned by United Overseas Land (UOL), the property arm of United Overseas Bank, which also owns neighbouring United Square.

Said its group general manager, Mr Liam Wee Sin: 'With the success of the United Square revamp as a kids' learning mall, we could see the advantages of creating a niche mall in this central location. Novena is a fast-growing precinct that is evolving quickly towards the mid- to high-income level market.'

A UOL spokesman said one third of the existing 85 shops could change to match the new theme. The new tenants should be selling anything from sportswear and camping gear to scuba-diving equipment.

The new wing will also have a gym, a new 9,000 sq ft food court and al fresco dining areas.

Designed by DP Architects, it will be constructed on the empty plot in front of the mall. It will connect with all levels of the existing mall, and add another 70,000 sq ft of retail space to the existing mall, which has 130,000 sq ft of space spread over three storeys.

UOL will not have to pay any development charge - payable when additional space is built upon - as it is converting existing office space on the fourth and fifth storey to retail areas.

During the makeover, it will be business as usual at the mall for current tenants like Bullfrog pub, Cold Storage supermarket and The Body Shop.

But shops fronting the mall - Spinelli Coffee Company and California Cafe Bakery Deli, as well as the Food Junction food court - will operate only until the end of the year or January.

The average rental for the new wing will be around $9 psf, compared with $8 psf on average for the existing mall.

Property consultant Danny Yeo, from Knight Frank, feels the revamped mall will be well received as it will be the first sports and active lifestyle mall around.

Novena Square tenant Ben Soh, 40, who owns sportswear shop Sports Elements, is looking forward to having a gym there to keep a regular crowd coming to the mall.

Currently, the mall has no activities to keep people coming back, he said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY TAN HUI YEE

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

oh dear... vivocity, velocity.. here comes another corny name trend.

Couldnt care less for the new name...the old one sounds good enough.

They recently demolished the old Thomson Power Station..I guess thats where they might build the extension.

Heres an interesting graphic
http://www.tylin.com.sg/cutenews-aj/data/upimages/Novena%201.JPG

No......... :eek:

Where would the extension be?



Novena Square sounds so nice. It doesn't need a makeover...

FIVE-YEAR-OLD Novena Square shopping mall in Thomson Road is the latest downtown mall to get a facelift.

Novena Square is the latest to join the downtown shopping centres in trying to breathe new life into their retail areas. Among others is Raffles City, which is spending $40 million to nearly triple the amount of space given over to shops and eating outlets in its basement.

how is Novena Square a "downtown mall"???

actually there arent any interesting stores in novena square now.. i guess its good they're trying to focus on one market

how is Novena Square a "downtown mall"???

well spotted!

Novena Sq to become a sports mall

6 Jul 05

NOVENA Square shopping mall is to develop into Singapore's first 'sports mall', starting with its new three-storey wing.

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-07-06/ltnovena06-201313.jpg

When the new wing, to be called Velocity@Novena Square, opens in November 2006, Novena Square will have 70 more shops and will spread over 200,000 square feet - 70,000 sq ft more than now.

'I'm sure the new theme will inject more life into the Novena area, and will create a strong niche positioning for the mall and attract shoppers beyond its current catchment,' said Liam Wee Sin, group general manager of the company that manages the mall, United Overseas Land.

The mall already attracts about 1.1 million visitors per month via the MRT.

'Health and fitness are becoming increasingly important to Singaporeans and we would like to tailor the new Novena Square to cater to the demands and needs of these shoppers,' Mr Liam said. 'We could see the advantages of creating a niche mall in this location, as Novena is a fast-growing precinct that is evolving quickly towards the mid- to high-end income level market,' he said.

UOL decided to revamp Novena Square after the successful revamp of nearby United Square, which it also manages, into a kids' learning mall a few years ago. Novena Square also has plans to reform the existing mall by changing one-third of its current 85 tenants. The extended shopping centre is likely to have several big names among its new tenants, a 9,000 sq ft food court, open-concept F&B shops, and a fitness gym. Designed by DP Architects, the extension wing will cost $22 million. Part of the exterior design includes a 210m curtain wall that will drape the entire mall.

The interior design by Design Phase will add sports elements on floors, walls and lighting in the new wing.

Seems like the malls in Singapore are really taking the opportunity to revamp themselves......;)

The interior design by Design Phase will add sports elements on floors, walls and lighting in the new wing.


huh like what?! anyone remember the sports themed food court at plaza singapura? with the fake rock climbers and fake rock walls? uhuhuhuh i hope its not like that

Rendering of Novena Square on the chinese newspaper (6/7/05)

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8956/pic0315510qo.jpg

uh that looks kinda gross. i hope its just an ugly rendering

VERY VERY gross. the green makes me sick, ugh. it looks like some cheap JB shopping mall!

i don't see how the hell this can fit in with all the sharp-looking buildings around the area.

is the old man senile already?

YUCK!!!!!!! :puke:

Like green slime!!!!

Some random images

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nove1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nove2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nove3.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/46353456.jpg

nice colours. :)

Goldhill pic is nice... :)

Rendering of Novena Square on the chinese newspaper (6/7/05)
if the real thing really end up looking like the rendering, then its gonna b a really unique landmark in that area...lolx... and if its looks like some shopping mall in JB, then Singapore TV Stations can save money on going to JB for any filming...

Like JB meh? :?

I think Kallang Leisure Park looks like something out of Malaysia....

i imagine HDB had a hand in the design of novena square's revamp

The Novena Square extension construction is underway...dislike the design, not to mention the fact that it robs the open space of the plaza.

Here is a recent view of the skyline showing the progress of the various constructions in the area.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/nskyline.jpg

I like the cluster effect here, with United Square looking dominant.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/nskyline2.jpg

Strata is rising fast. The colour facade is visible too in your second pic.

PS. taken from SMU?

Wow!!!
Very futuistic!!! :cool:

But Mt Sophia is ruined!!! :cry::bash:

@ hya, I cant see Strata's colours except those markings on the scaffolding....I took it from High Street Centre. Cant wait for Park Infinia to rise..imagine an extra 4 blocks of 30-storeys in that area!

@redstone

Whats wrong with Mt Sophia? Its in a transition now, and hope that ugly brown building next to Cathay goes soon!

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3228/untitled18zi.jpg

can see?

RC:
Clearing the entire side and top of the hill for condos....

hmmm...very vaguely...I'll take a closer look next time :D

Newton seems not too far off from Little India.

In fact, the future MRT line could connect the stations.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/rowellview.jpg

Hi,

Can I ask anyone has any forum or idea of The Citrine situated between
Novena and Toa Payoh area?

The adversitement about the Citrine looks good..

Thanks

^^

Someone just created a thread on it in the Projects section :)

New Newton Food Centre gets that old colonial charm

15 May 06

It reopens on July 1 after $4.8m upgrade that is a throwback to bygone era


By Arti Mulchand

IT IS not just the old stalls and tastes that will return when the refurbished Newton Food Centre reopens on July 1, but an ambience from even further back in time.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-05-15/ST_4037395_14_05_2006.jpg

The new $4.8 million look of the centre, better known as Newton Circus, will be a throwback to Singapore's colonial era, and its landscape will recreate the atmosphere of the plantations that once dominated the area.

In throwing that task to architects CPG Consultants, the area's Member of Parliament, Ms Indranee Rajah, said she wanted to evoke the 'feel of the era'.

'Newton is a Singapore icon, for both Singaporeans and tourists, so it needed to be something special,' she said.

The hands-on MP was part of a tough panel of critics architect-in-charge Sherwin Teo had to face. It included, among others, Newton's hawkers, the National Environment Agency, the Singapore Tourism Board and the police.

CPG, which was also behind the refurbishment of East Coast Food Village and the Taman Jurong food centre, was brought on board in 2004.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-05-15/ST_4037377_15_05_2006.jpg

Since then, several plans - including a suggestion to make Newton a multi-storey complex - were shot down.

'They wanted to retain the spirit of the place, preserve its quaintness and leave it low-rise, with a lot of alfresco areas,' Mr Teo explained.

But he did not have to look far for what Ms Rajah had in mind - right next to Newton Circus, in Monk's Hill Terrace, sits a row of old colonial black-and-white terrace houses.

It is from there the architects borrowed much of the design elements - the new Newton boasts similar overhangs and eaves, and, like the houses, it uses blinds to shield out the sun.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-05-15/h2.jpg

He also chose a similar colour theme - white, beige and brown. The centre, too, will have high ceilings, to boost cross-ventilation and make the centre cooler - the highest point is 7m, compared to 2.5m previously.

To incorporate the plantation feel, Mr Teo found ready help from Ms Rajah, who had pored over botanic books and picked a selection of tropical flowers that are not too delicate or high maintenance.

'You don't want plants that will die because the cleaner throws leftover chilli into the soil,' said Mr Teo.

The heady mix of about 50 species, including pink frangipani, wedelia creepers and several species of palm, including Chinese palms and betel nut palms, includes many flowers that release their scent only at night, since the food centre truly comes alive after dark, said Ms Rajah.

The palms and a garden with flowers that attract butterflies and small birds, will form the main entrance, and inside, there will be more greenery around the seats in the middle, as well as a ginger garden on the side.

Around that, in a horseshoe configuration, will be the stalls.

There will be 83 stalls, the same as in the old food centre, and at almost 7 sq m each, they will be larger. All will have tourist-friendly signs in English, Chinese, Malay and Japanese.

There will also be more seats - 1,640 or about 400 more than before. And 90 per cent of the seating will be either sheltered or under umbrellas, so when it rains, business will not be washed out, said Mr Teo.

Gone, too, will be the loo blues. Women will have eight cubicles, up from three, and there will be seven urinals in the men's, up from two. There will also be a toilet for the disabled, together with a nursing and nappy change station.

Spaces have also been created so buskers can entertain, or small flea markets can be set up.

The revamped Newton Circus will also be completely smoke-free, even though under new smoking regulations it can designate a part of its premises for smokers.

Even fengshui was thrown into the mix.

In coming up with the design, Mr Teo said he was told to retain the row of stalls that faced the carpark in front of the main entrance.

'Apparently, it would be better for business,' he said.

On a more serious note came issues like security - the closed-circuit television cameras that had been installed will stay, and buffer zones have been created around the centre to protect the premises and diners.

The project faced many challenges, some of which started on day one, with the demolition of the 35-year-old centre.

The old Newton Circus, for instance, had an asbestos roof, for which there are strict removal and disposal rules, as its fibres can be dangerous when inhaled. So just removing that, piece by piece, took more than a week.

The makeover had been delayed more than a year so a temporary place could be found where the hawkers could be kept together.

The contractors also had to ensure that mature trees on site were not damaged.

The hawkers also had to be included in the decision-making process, and at least four sessions were held with the hawkers on site. Some also showed up when the firm presented its ideas to Ms Rajah on three occasions.

Despite the challenges, the new Newton Circus is scheduled to open on July 1.

The head of the Newton Hawker Centre Stallholders Association, Mr Chen Kern Yuan, 72, said in Mandarin he is not sure if stallholders will increase food prices to compensate for the 20 per cent increase in rent. However, he has operated a seafood stall for 34 years and has no plans to hike his prices.

'Even when Newton was old, it was still very popular and a lot of people liked it,' he said. 'Now it is new, perhaps they will come even more.'

^^ Great article and wonderful news, Raffi! Thanks a lot :)

Also, I just love your photo up there. :cheer: In particular I like the smaller scale apartment buildings among the Tall Ones, and all that greenery in between. Newton and Novena must be a wonderful area of Singapore, and that's where you live, right? :cool:

Yup...I will try to get some pics from the new revamped Newton Food Centre...its one of the more 'touristy' hawker centres here.

Yup live near there :)

Novena Area
1.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Lavender/DSC_0031.jpg
2.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Lavender/DSC_0035.jpg
3.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Lavender/DSC_0033A.jpg

^ Question: are those flats in picture 2 located near boon Keng MRT?? :?

I think this is at Farrer Park.

Oh i see....thanks....:D

nice pics there...I feel the flats at Farrer Park offer clearer views of Novena though :cool:

nice pics there...I feel the flats at Farrer Park offer clearer views of Novena though :cool:

Thanks...:D I thought so too....:D

Newton & Novena skyline with KK Hospital and LTA headquarters in the foreground

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/9840/nvnite3mf.jpg

Closer

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/nvnitepano.jpg

Very vibrant!!!! :cool:

I see there are lots of construction going on at Novena...:yes:

Nice pictures....:yes:

Here are some photos of Novena area,they are at the outside of Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/jonathantay/P1060102.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/jonathantay/P1060101.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/jonathantay/deb51ec8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/jonathantay/a1a1319b.jpg

United Square right? Its undergoing construction.

This is 'Square 2'... :D

Btw, is it same as Novena Medical Centre? :?

nice pics Josin, the colours look very rich :cool:

and yes, that is Novena Medical Centre under construction

tnks. Oh ok novena medical centre. We have tan tock seng already. Why still need this centre? Wont there be competition? There is also a Little Seoul there too right?

Novena is becoming a medical hub.

I think for that reason a hotel plot has also been made available as medical tourism is growing in Singapore, especially from wealthy foreigners overseas like Indonesia & the Middle East.

Good for Novena.....:yes:

More shots from Sinaran Drive:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nv0107.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nv0107b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nv0107c.jpg

Wow....so cool.....:cool:

Thanks...Novena is glassy :D

Woah!!!! Nice contrast!!!

More shots from Sinaran Drive:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nv0107.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nv0107b.jpg


wow so nice :cool: :drool: :scouserd:

^^

Thanks! :D

Renovated Newton Food Centre reopens to brisk business

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/php8nimJr.jpg

The renovated Newton Food Centre has been packing in the crowds this past week ahead of its official opening on Sunday, July 9th.

And with Singaporeans and tourists flocking there, stallholders are happy because business is up some 80 per cent.

It has been called the grand old dame of Singapore's hawker centres.

And now, after a S$5 million makeover, the Newton Food Centre has taken on an old-world charm with its al-fresco dining area.

Its design is also inspired by colonial bungalows with its high ceiling, bamboo blinds and a tropical garden with night-scenting flowers.

Sherwin Teo, Architectural Associate, CPG Consultants, said: "We actually had a lot plants, more lush than what you see now. However, this was watered down as hawkers believe they must have line of sight, if customers do not see their stalls means no business, so we had to move certain plants away."

The facelift was aimed at creating a happy dining experience for all and it has achieved that - bringing a big smile to the face of this American tourist who was last here 18 years ago.

Greg Brewton, Tourist, said: "Easier to get to, more organised and the food is as outstanding, if not better than what it was before, so a lot of fun! really enjoying it!"

Singaporeans too welcome the changes.

"There should be a catalogue where you can look for the stalls. It's quite difficult to locate the old Newton big fishball soup, you have to look for it," said one patron.

"The layout is quite nice compared to the old one - even the infrastructure is quite nice," said another.

And stallholders like the new look too - they say it brings back memories of the large crowds that the food centre used to attract in the 1980s.

Chen Kern Yuan, Chairman, Newton Hawker Centre Stallholders' Association, said: "Before, we had stalls in front and at the back, and their business suffered - now, it's like a big family pavilion where customers can check out all the stalls and see everything. We feel the new look has brought more business."

But there's concern over its future - the centre was only granted a 5-year lease as it's sitting on a road reserve.

Indranee Rajah, MP, Tanjong Pagar GRC, said: "Given that this is a Singapore icon and what's been invested in it, and the fact that it's so popular with Singaporeans and tourists - at least for the foreseeable future, the hawker centre will be here."

She also called on stallholders to maintain service standards: "When it's popular and crowded, then you know people may get impatient. And in crowded areas, service levels may not be maintained, so that's something stallholders will look out for. And cleanliness - with the high turnover and crowd, this may be overlooked."

And with five closed circuit cameras put up in and around the new centre, food lovers can enjoy their meals with total peace of mind.

By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia

July 9, 2006
Same old tourist trap at Newton
New look, but food remains limited, pricey and not that tasty, insist foodies. Then again, tourists flock there for the colour

By FOOD CORRESPONDENT, Teo Pau Lin


SO NEWTON Food Centre has a new look.

After a nine- month, $4.8-million revamp, it emerged two Saturdays ago looking like a colonial resort, complete with manicured greenery, bamboo blinds and more seats.

But not everyone is rushing to check out what is arguably Singapore's most famous hawker destination.

Weaned on authentic dishes that cost no more than $3 a plate, many consider Newton Food Centre a tourist trap where an equivalent dish can start from $5.

Photographer Allen Chen, 31, says: 'The food's no good and expensive. It's more for tourists who don't know any better.'

His sentiments reflect that of many true-blue local foodies who prefer eating in heartland hawker centres.

But to most foreigners, the 35-year-old grand dame is an essential stopover for a complete Singapore experience.

It offers a taste of the country's fabled street food, has charming alfresco seating and is located close to the city.

Mr Jason Hin, 47, the manager of NTA travel agency, takes Japanese tour groups only to Newton hawker centre because of its reputation among tourists.

'It's been promoted in Japan for a long time, so everyone wants to check it out,' he says.

Mr Chen Kern Yuan, 72, head of the Newton Hawker Centre Stallholders Association, estimates that up to 30 per cent of its customers are tourists.

However, a cleaner, who works at the centre and declined to be named, says the figure is closer to 60 per cent.

With the Japanese making up about 10 per cent of all foreign visitors, many of the foodstalls now have signs in Japanese, in addition to English, Chinese and Malay ones. Some PR-savvy hawkers can even take orders in Japanese.

But instead of showcasing a wide range of Singapore street food, more than a quarter of its 82 stalls sell the tourist favourite: barbecued seafood.

Prices are high, too. A roll of popiah at the famous Bee Heng stall costs $1.80, while most hawker centres sell one for $1.

A palm-sized piece of barbecued stingray costs $12 at most stalls in Newton, while it can be had for just half the price elsewhere.

In fact, the New York-based online travel guide Fodor's advises visitors to avoid the seafood stalls, which it says 'are notorious for fleecing tourists'.

Mr Chen, who also owns Guan Kee seafood stall, defends the high prices, saying that each stall pays about $3,000 in rental, triple the average rental of $1,000 in other hawker centres.

The owner of Hup Kee oyster omelette stall, Mr Lau Thye Chua, 68, admits that seafood can be overpriced.

'But prices at the other foodstalls are okay. I charge $5 for oyster omelette, but it's a big portion and I give a lot of oysters,' he says.

Another hawker, who declines to be named, reveals that most of the seafood stall workers receive no fixed salaries.

They earn only commission, which probably explains the infamous touting that used to go on at the hawker centre.

He says: 'Customers should agree on the price when they order. If not, the workers will charge whatever they want when they send the food to you, since the extra goes to them.'

Local food doyenne and consultant Violet Oon, 57, recalls that Newton has always appealed to tourists since it opened in 1971.

'It always had a lot of seafood stalls, but in the 1980s, it had a more exciting range of Malay and Indian food,' she says.

Now, there are only about seven Muslim stalls, most of which also sell barbecued seafood.

Still, Newton has its fans.

British-born retiree Graham Hayward, 68, who has lived in Singapore for 40 years, says many of its stalls are 'pretty good', including the fried Hokkien mee, beef noodles and grilled fish.

Insurance agent Patricia Lee, 40, says: 'When I want popiah, I don't go anywhere else.'

Mr Chen adds: 'How can this be a tourist trap when you see so many locals eating here?'

But three local foodies, who sampled its most popular stalls last Wednesday at our invitation, maintain that it is tourist-driven (see other story).

Street food guru K. F. Seetoh, 43, adds that stalls like Soon Wah fishball noodles and Hup Kee oyster omelette are good, while others are 'terrible'.

'Newton will always be a tourist trap,' he says.

'Its reputation has spread so far and wide that you can't undo it anymore.'

tpaulin@sph.com.sg
Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

I noticed the sunshades of Goldhill had been removed...

sunshades of Goldhill Plaza or Goldhill Centre? what do you think is going on?

sunshades of Goldhill Plaza or Goldhill Centre? what do you think is going on?

The short building. Forgot the name. Paiseh... Heh.
I also notice the sunshade mounting had been painted? :?

Its Goldhill Centre...I saw it already...it looks nicer now...less like a factory :yes:

I will visit Novena once Square2 opens.....:D

Its Goldhill Centre...I saw it already...it looks nicer now...less like a factory :yes:

It's ugly with sunshades blocking window directly.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8798/sundae080sdl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1986/sundae073sju9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Glass beauties

1.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/unitedsq2409.jpg

2.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nvs2409.jpg

Freehold condominium unit sets new record price for Newton area

A UNIT at Setia Residences - a freehold development by the Cheng family of the Prima group - was sold for $1,600 per sq ft over the weekend, setting a new record for the Newton area.

http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-10-10/BT_4923828_09_10_2006.jpg

The 3,348 sq ft unit, on the 23rd floor, was sold for $5.4 million last Saturday, William Wong, business development director of Century 21, the exclusive marketing agent for the project in Singapore and overseas, told BT.

The buyer is a Singapore permanent resident who bought the unit for his own use.

Ten more units of the exclusive 24-unit condominium project at Evelyn Road - designed by Architect 61 - will be offered for sale. 'We're going for $1,650 for the next unit, on the 18th floor,' said Mr Wong. Century 21 has also started marketing the units in Hong Kong and has already received indications of interest, he added.

The highest price fetched for the Newton area before this was around $1,400 psf to $1,500 psf. Two nearby projects in the Newton area - City Developments' Residences @ Evelyn and Lippo Group's Newton One - have sold at average prices of $1,200 psf to $1,300 psf.

The Setia Residences were developed on a 38,000 sq ft plot of land that has been long held by the Cheng family. A 10-storey building was demolished to make way for the project.

Family members hold the remaining units of the project, but they could release more units for sale if there is strong demand, said Bernard Cheng, executive director of Prima Portfolio and an unit owner.

The Newton area is benefiting from the spillover effect from the rising prices of Orchard Road homes.

Just a short hop away at Scotts Road, CapitaLand has achieved prices of over $2,000 psf for its high-end Scotts HighPark located next to the Newton MRT Station. Private property prices have been rising steadily this year.

After three quarters of the year, private property prices have gone up by more than the 5 per cent projected earlier by market players for the whole year.

Housing prices are now 5.8 per cent higher than at the end of 2005, according to estimates by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

By WONG WEI KONG

Velocity@ Novena Square
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/341/dscf0463bs0.jpg

Pepper lunch
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/8606/dscf0467io6.jpg

Mos Burger
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/736/dscf0468la2.jpg

Kopitiam
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3590/dscf0471ox0.jpg

Animal (selling clothes....:lol: )
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9103/dscf0470lx0.jpg

The new atrium

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/5857/dscf0464la2.jpghttp://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2127/dscf0465hl8.jpghttp://img82.imageshack.us/img82/9251/dscf0473jp3.jpg