Next stop... Yet more homes by the river
Far East to launch Central in third quarter - and it's on top of new Clarke Quay MRT station

FAR East Organization will launch its 347-unit, home-office project Central along the Singapore River in the third quarter - likely September - sources say.


CENTRAL'S 2-IN-1 CONCEPT:
• Dual function: Home and office

• Size ranges between 500 and 800 sq ft


• High ceiling of 4.5m

• Home finishes, compact kitchenette and broadband Internet.

Besides being Singapore's next riverside development, Central's small office home office (SOHO) concept follows that of other projects such as the 81 SOHO units at China Square Central.


Observers say the project, which already has a show flat, will boost riverside living in Singapore.

In the last year alone, there have been two new riverside projects launched - Robertson 100 by MCL Land and The Pier by City Developments.

CapitaLand is expected to add to the list next year when it launches a 43-storey development that has yet to be named. That project, located on the old TradeMart site in Martin Road, is likely to comprise more than 600 units.

Riverside living has cottoned on in recent years. Knight Frank research director Tay Kah Poh described it as 'an attractive proposition because it gives a romantic notion of the French Riviera'.

Far East was one of the first developers to experiment with the concept of living next to the Singapore River when it launched its 509-unit River Place condo near Clemenceau Avenue in 1997.

Since its launch, about 90 per cent of River Place units have been sold. A Far East spokesman said that the project has been very popular with expatriates working in the Central Business District who seek rental apartments.

Next quarter, it hopes to replicate this success with Central.

Located on top of the upcoming Clarke Quay MRT station on Eu Tong Sen Street, Central will have shops, open-air cafes and an office tower, Far East said in its company newsletter.

The apartments, which can be converted to offices, are expected to be mostly smallish units of about 500 to 800 sq ft each.

Mr Nicholas Mak, associate director at property consultancy Chesterton International, said the 99-year leasehold apartments should sell well if they are sold at prices of around $650 to $700 per sq ft, or $350,000 for a 500 sq ft studio unit.

The Pier and Robertson 100, which are freehold properties, had average prices of $900 psf and $890 psf respectively during their launches.

Within three weeks, 60 of The Pier's first 100 units were sold while MCL Land said recently that more than 75 per cent of Robertson 100 had been taken up.

Separately, NTUC Choice Homes and Chip Eng Leong Enterprise said they would launch their 579-unit Grandeur 8 project near Ang Mo Kio Town Central 'in a few weeks' time'.

The 99-year leasehold project will have eight blocks of up to 20 storeys, and apartments ranging from from 1,100 to 1,800 sq ft.

CB Richard Ellis residential director Joseph Tan, who is marketing Grandeur 8, said that prices are still being worked out but confirmed that a deferred-payment scheme would be offered, requiring only 10 per cent of the unit's price as down payment, instead of the customary 20 per cent, until the units are completed.

Hmm...no mention of the height of this "central" thingy? It has the potential to be over 30 storeys tall, since the previous public block was already 25 storeys anyway. :)

http://www.cbre.com.sg/investment/soho-300.jpg

Property: Soho@Central
Location: Eu Tong Sen Street, above Clarke Quay MRT
Total No. of Units: 227
SOHO 1 : 168
SOHO 2 : 59
Tenure: 99-year leasehold w.e.f 2 January 2001
Expected TOP: Early 2008
Developer: Riverhub Pte Ltd (Far East Organization)
Sizes: 581 - 872 sq ft

Description: Cental is a commercial development with 2 SOHO Towers, 2 blocks of offices and a shopping podium of about 200,000 sq ft.
Project Features: Central is the first landmark development in Singapore to integrate the diverse functions of live-work-play and travel within one complex. It is also the first to pioneer the combination of a work-live lifestyle within purpose-built SOHO units. The development will be located above the Clarke Quay MRT station within the Clarke Quay vicinity. it is close to the country's bustling banking and business centre at Raffles Place and within the civic district which houses Parliament House, the Supreme Court and the City Hall. The new Singapore Management University and the new National Library are also nearby.

There are a total of 227 purpose-built SOHO units, typically 635 sq ft in size with the dual flexibility of use as an office as well as a home. These units are column-free with high ceiling of 4.5m and full-height glass windows. Each SOHO unit comes fitted out with its own kitchen, shower and toilet facilities.

omigod?! 581-872 sq ft... so nice for myself... i love 4.5m ceiling!

how do you know if it has 4.5m ceiling?

it... says so in the article?!

JULY 16, 2004
Pricey home-office units draw many buyers
By Vladimir Guevarra

THE home office project next to the Singapore River have been attracting buyers willing to pay up to S$1,300 per sq ft - the highest price at the moment for 99-year-leasehold units.

Despite the lack of advertisements for the Far East Organization development, 40 per cent of Central's 227 home-office units have been quietly sold since they came on the market about four months ago.

Besides two towers of these units, the project will also have a 25-storey office tower, a swimming pool, a retail podium and alfresco dining areas.

The place is to be built on top of the Clarke Quay MRT station, which puts it near the Central Business District, other restaurants and hotels.

Ms Soon Su Lin, executive director of property consultancy CB Richard Ellis, said buyers are willing to pay a premium for Central because of its location and the fact that it can be used as both home and office.

The office units at Central have ceilings as high as 4.5m, giving the owner enough space to create a second level for living or to add to the office space.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Central site

3 August 2004

A 25+12 storey block will rise here by 2007.

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

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 16 September 2004 1554 hrs

Far East launching SoHo@Central this weekend
By Chan Hwa Loon, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: Developer Far East Organisation is officially launching its first-of-its-kind SoHo@Central project this weekend.

SoHo stands for Small Office Home Office.

Occupiers of SoHo units can work or live in them, or do both, without seeking additional approvals from the authorities.

SoHo@Central is located just above the Clarke Quay MRT station.

On offer this weekend are 48 units with sizes ranging from 600 square feet to 870 square feet.

The units have exceptional floor-to-floor height of 4.5 metres or almost 15 feet.

Prices start from $630,000 per unit.

Already, all 59 units of the first tower have been fully sold and 40 of the 56 units released for the second tower have found buyers.

Half of the buyers were reportedly foreigners. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 20 Sep 2004

Small office and home (SOHO) units snapped up at weekend launch

SINGAPORE - Far East Organization's prestigious SOHO at Central development above Clarke Quay MRT station, has received an overwhelming response.

More than 500 visitors viewed the show units last weekend and all 48 exclusive river- and city-facing units released have been sold.

To meet strong demand by the public, Far East Organization will be releasing the final selection of prime SOHO units which have splendid views of Clarke Quay and the Singapore River.

To date, 149 out of 163 units released at SOHO at Central have found buyers.

Prices start from $630,000 per unit.

SOHO at Central is Far East Organization's upcoming landmark development located above the Clarke Quay MRT station, along the historic Singapore River within the central business district.

It comprises two SOHO towers with a total of 227 units.

The SOHO units at Central are the only purpose built home offices in Singapore.

Each SOHO unit at Central comes with quality home finishes, fully-fitted bathroom and a compact kitchenette.

Owners can use the SOHO units at Central for the dual functions of office and residential living or for the exclusive use of either purpose without the need for additional approvals from the authorities.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

It didnt say if the shorter or taller block is being built first....hope they also launch the taller one

The site in mid-September

http://img25.exs.cx/img25/5780/centralsep.jpg

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly does SOHO stand for?

Small Office Home Office. :)

Okay, thanks. Sounds like fun! I MUST own one when i grow up. Haha.

It definitely is a hip concept!

I also think they chose the SOHO name to rhyme with this 'hip' place in London which is called Soho, to try to have a catch there. Beijing also has an area which it calls Soho.

Looking at the scale of the model, this project has great potential to make Clarke Quay a much more lively place.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103soho1.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103soho2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103soho3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103soho4.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103soho5.jpg

Nice Hollownative glass facade!, and that 5 Storey Atrium looks Gigantuan!!

*drool* give me!!!!

Wah.....look so futuristic......:eek:

I hope it'll inject some excitment to the clarke quay area........:yes:

it definitely will increase the street activity at Clarke Quay and along the river :yes:

I heard the architect is also the one that did the Esplanade...but not sure..

Site plan

http://www.dbs.com/img/sg/realtyeasy/newdevelopments/fareast/soho/site/site_plan_large.jpg

30 Nov 2004

http://tinypic.com/ea3637.jpg

21 January 2005

http://img100.exs.cx/img100/7620/soho21011co.jpg

01 February 2005

SOHO concept likely to catch on in Singapore: analysts
By Michael Lim, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The Small Office Home Office, or SOHO, market is a relatively new office concept in Singapore.

With the Government encouraging more entrepreneurs to come forward, these new office concepts offered by property developers could be the next address of choice.

As more Singaporeans take up the challenge of becoming entrepreneurs, the demand for affordable office space with prestigious address is likely to rise.

"I think the Government emphasis on encouraging entrepreneurship and growing our financial business services sector -- the pool of demand for SOHO will go up because SOHO does lower start-up cost and so it encourages more people to experiment and lowers risks for business all round," said Dr Yu Lai Boon, managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle.

The good news for budding entrepreneurs is that they will have a choice on where to locate their new offices.

They can either have a more upmarket downtown address, or an HDB or JTC address, both of which also offer SOHO concepts.

For Dr Tony Ho, an eye surgeon who runs his own clinic, it is the choice of having a prestigious address that drew him to invest in a SOHO unit.

He bought a unit at SOHO@Central, the only purpose-built small office home office development by Far East Organisation.

"This property appeals to me because of its prime location, being in the heart of town, as well as being near very established wining and dining area. And another aspect of this property that I like is the actual physical feature itself. It has an extremely tall ceiling, so much so that the developer says that you can actually add on another floor. And that will increase the floor space by some 30 to 40 percent," said Dr Ho, director of Eye Care Clinic.

Dr Ho hopes to use the premises to run another business when he retires as an eye surgeon in 10 to 15 years.

But for now, he views it as an investment and he hopes to rent it out once the project is completed.

"Basically, I am looking for a property to invest in, and this property strikes me as being quite a unique product, being that you can make use of it as both a residence as well as business property. And I was thinking that you should be able to command a better rental and maybe easier to find tenants also," said Dr Ho.

And analysts agree.

They say office rentals, especially in prime locations, are expected to go up, which means better returns on investment compared to a condominium.

Said Dr Yu, "I think investment from SOHO has typically probably about one percent up from an office or residential yield currently in Singapore. So to the investors point of view the yields are better, as well as the capital outlay for SOHO, because of its smaller size, it's a lower amount that you need to come up with."

Michael Ng, managing director of Savills, said, "From an investors' point of view, if you are paying like S$700,000 and you can get a rental of a close to S$3,800 to S$4,000 a month, that would make very good return."

And with growing interest from budding entrepreneurs and start-ups both local and foreign, demand for such office properties is expected to rise.

But analysts that Channel NewsAsia spoke were less willing to project the actual demand, because the concept is still relatively new in Singapore.

Said Donald Han, managing director at Cushman & Wakefield, "We will probably see more supply of such developments catering for this catchment market itself. We will progress over time but I don't think we will see sprawling of SOHOs of 10 or 20 over the next two to three years. I think the market right now is probably right for another two or three more projects so to speak and then we got to see how much that population growth transpires."

Dr Yu said, "The only issue is really with the demand pool and how big that is and that is something that is pretty difficult to estimate at this point."

Analysts also say a number of older grade "B" and grade "C" office buildings can be converted to cater to this market.

Tai Lee Siang, director of DP Architects, said, "It is not difficult to change an office design into a SOHO because the office traditional design is actually quite efficient, and particularly in our old CBD offices, the offices are not big. In fact our office building is closer to the residential buildings overseas. If you look at city scales our buildings are very thin, very small. It is actually quite easy to convert them into SOHOs."

It appears the Government's plan to turn the central business district from a cold quiet place after office hours into an area with bustling night life is on track.

And with more residential-cum-office properties coming on stream in the new downtown, the CBD may never be the same again after the sun sets. - CNA

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

What used to stand on it's site?:?

What used to stand on it's site?:?

For us to know, for you to find out......:lol: :jk:

why dont you search for some old pics?

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980005524-8120-3181-1379/img0091.jpg
On the right...

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980005524-8120-3181-1379/img0117.jpg
An overview....

wow..an old block of flats and shophouses

they should have retained the front row of shophouses and built up behind those (in retrospect)

Shophouse front, condo tower! :cool:
It didn't happen... :(

i do so love my singapore, even though she infuriates me, spurns me like a lover, cock teases me then ignores me, fools around with other men. she is just so fragile underneath it all.

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980006052-8073-3222-4056/img0114.jpg

You can see the block that was there before on the left of this pic... Looks awful.

oh yes..good thing they tore it down! :happy:

Redstone- those are great images- where did you get them from? Are there any more from the same era?

Redstone- those are great images- where did you get them from? Are there any more from the same era?

Hi deringer, and welcome to the forum.

There are many many old pics of Singapore from different eras here

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=69730

Thanks for the link and the welcome raffles-
Is there any progress on site with this yet? Article above says TOP 2008 but one of the postings says 2007...

@deringer

well from the pics it looks like they are busy working on the foundations still and I guess this one will be interesting cause it will be linked underground to Clarke Quay MRT

as for TOP dates, I notice that buildings are usually completed much earlier than the stated TOP date. I hope to see something rise within the next 2 or maybe 3 months^^

Before !
From your last pic and according to the ground area plan, we are already seeing Soho 1 rising. It seems maybe only one floor underground in your pic. So I guess we can expect to see it peeking out very soon :-)
As for the rest of the development, I have no clue ;-)

hmm..Soho 1 is the shorter of the 2 blocks. The taller one is the V-shaped one.

seems that there is no news of Soho 2...hmmmm..confusing

they havent seemed to dug out the hole for the taller block

the model

http://img32.exs.cx/img32/3650/sgmodel37zw.jpg

This is gonna be near those row of expensive riverside restaurants right? :D

anyways I found this thread and replied here because of its name, which coincidentally is also the name of another u/c in Metro Manila, Soho Central. :lol: I can safely say though it's not beside expensive riverside restaurants :colgate: But I reckon it's quite a change from Singapore's concrete-and-glass skyline. Is this one steel?

eh..its hard to tell, I am guessing it is, well for the office block..I am keen on the facade though

btw SOHO = small office home office, is that the same in Manila?

This will be at Clarke Quay, where all those riverside eateries are :yes:

03 February 2005

SOHO projects may create new investment opportunities: analysts
By Michael Lim, Channel NewsAsia

Retail investors in Singapore are more familiar with the residential market and not many have chosen to park their funds in office properties.

But with small office home office, or SOHO, projects coming on line, some analysts say it may be time to consider investment opportunities in this sector.

When it comes to investing in property, most retail investors in Singapore will choose to park their funds in the private residential market, leaving the more lucrative office and shophouse sector to the developers and institutional investors.

Donald Han, MD, Cushman and Wakefield, said: "I think in Singapore, residential always remains as the most popular sector among the investing public. There are not many people who are well versed with what it takes to own offices. They are not in tuned as to how to lease an office."

Price is one big factor.

Office buildings very often command large floor space which means they are valued in the millions of dollars and very often out of reach to the retail investor.

But that may all change.

With the introduction of SOHOs, it may soon be possible for the average man on the street to invest in an office unit.

Peter Flavel, Head, Consumer Banking Singapore, Standard Chartered Bank, said: "The investment used to be in large scale buildings which will beyond the scope of almost any individual investor. Now what we are seeing is the SOHO operations come in where people can get in at in some instances below $1 million and some above $1 million. So for someone with a large portfolio that is a viable investment option."

The timely arrival of one purpose build Small Office Home Office project, the SOHO@central, has got both entrepreneurs and property investors excited.

Lui Seng Fatt, Regional Director and Head of Investments, Capital Market, Jones Lang LaSalle, said: "Typically an investor look at return. Of course, user would look at convenient plus other business environment. As long as the SOHO continue to give a superior return compared to other class of investment, I would say that would be a viable alternative kind of investment instrument for people to go into."

Donald Han said: "If you look at the SOHO kind of concept. The concepts are pretty small in terms of size its fairly affordable we are looking at about $500,000 to $600,000 per unit. So it's within reach of individuals to buy, to get financing from your own CPF if necessary."

With smaller offices - at more affordable prices - more budding entrepreneurs may therefore be persuaded to buy their own little office premises.

Donald Han said: "The other aspect is that when you buy such a property if you are using your CPF and if you are taking a loan whatever interest payable to the bank for financing this project itself the interest component you can use it to offset from your own taxable income. So in that sense over time the property will be yours and you are paying less tax. It's a hedge or rather it helps you to mitigate your property tax exposure."

And with rentals on an uptrend, it may also make more economic sense to buy rather then rent a small office.

The current crop of SOHO projects are situated within the Central Business District - where office rentals are expected to go up by between 4 to 8 percent this year.

Lui Seng Fatt said: "In Singapore we would expect the target return of about 4 to 6 percent and this compared favourably with the effective rental return of about 4.8 percent for class A CBD core prime office space in the better years. But in the current years we are getting close to 4 percent so you can see that there is an incentive for some of the investors who would go for a SOHO."

With such an attractive yield, property analysts are expecting to see at least a couple more SOHO projects to come on stream.

And they believe there will be a pool of ready buyers, especially those who are either renting or looking to upgrade from their current small office premises.

Lui Seng Fatt said: "Transacted value in 2004 for small office below the value of $2 million is about $92 million. And below the value of $1 million is about $45 million. That will form the potential pool of the so call upgrader who wants to go into SOHO. And this is a very sizeable and we are only talking about 1 year. And if on a recurrent basis I think that is a very strong demand towards SOHO as product."

For the office property sector then, being small has its attractions - offering more investment opportunities for those who would otherwise park their funds elsewhere. - CNA

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

StanChart looks ike a twin of Land! :rant:

yah I dunno why they didnt rectify that mistake :soapbox:

Taken on 4 Feb 2005
SOHO@Central Showflat at Dusk/Night

http://img229.exs.cx/img229/4272/dscn03204cd.jpg

http://img235.exs.cx/img235/6412/soho3ph.jpg

16 February 2005

its definitely growing now

http://img236.exs.cx/img236/6319/soho16025lx.jpg

heh... you really went... how do you find inside high st centre?

Its like a warzone in there^^

but I could take pics in peace...will post them in due course :colgate:

SOHO model (26/2/05):

http://img237.exs.cx/img237/117/pic0017712ss.jpg

http://img237.exs.cx/img237/6812/pic0018116az.jpg

One taken with zoom, another without........so can guess which one is taken using zoom?? :D

The first one with reflection is taken using zoom... :colgate:

Looks like a stack of ice cubes...

A 21century buildings mixtures of work and play factilities to create a new sense of belonging to clarke quay and business district area of tommorow.

A 21century buildings mixtures of work and play factilities to create a new sense of belonging to clarke quay and business district area of tommorow.

Welcome to the forum......:D

Why is it that every time they build a building with lots of glass, they just have to make the model glow like a giant lantern? Will it really turn out that way? I certainly wouldn't mind, cos it looks really sci-fi.

One of the Far East sales people said the facade will be 'special' :cool:

'Special'? Wah... so mysterious... any details?

well she was vague on design details...saying that the architect involved in Esplanade is also involved in this project ^^

well she was vague on design details...saying that the architect involved in Esplanade is also involved in this project ^^

Right. And the architect who designed my house also designed the one next door...

:lol:

:lol:

Glad you found that funny.

Oh, did you know that the architect who designed my block also designed almost every public apartment block here? :lol:

so informative

Studios at Central for sale soon

10 Mar 05

'New Age' offices similar to SoHo units, and are to go at about $1,100 psf

By KALPANA RASHIWALA

HAVING sold about 85 per cent of 227 small-office, home-office (or SoHo) units at its Central project over the past year, Far East Organization is releasing next month what it dubs 'New Age' studio offices in the project facing the Singapore River.

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-03-10/krcentral10-192635.jpg

The 99-year leasehold mixed development is located above Clarke Quay MRT station.

Far East's deputy chief operating officer (retail and lifestyle concepts) Chia Boon Kuah says the studio offices are 'New Age' because like the SoHo units, they will have high ceilings, with a floor-to-floor height of 4.5 metres, compared with 3.2 metres for traditional offices.

In addition, each studio office, ranging from about 646 sq ft to 1,200 sq ft, will be fitted with its own bathroom and pantry. 'Pricing will be similar to our SoHo units, which achieved close to $1,100 psf on average,' said Mr Chia.

The group is targeting small businesses, professionals and representative offices as well as property investors, for the 120 studio offices. These units will have river views and be located from the 11th to 25th storeys in one half of a V-shaped wing.

Those who require larger offices can lease of up to 13,000 sq ft per floor in the other half of the wing, totalling about 150,000 sq ft. Far East is keeping this component of the project, along with the entire 204,000 sq ft retail podium, for rental income.

Besides its location, a major selling point of Central is that the various occupants - of the SoHo units, offices and shops - will be able to enjoy common recreational facilities such as a swimming pool, gym and spa.

The development is slated for completion in late 2007 or early 2008.

28 March 2005

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/2045/soho28031kv.jpg

13 April 2005

http://img130.echo.cx/img130/8500/soho13040sm.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Completion in late 2007/ early 2008?? Hmm......this will be in line with T3 opening.......:D

^

Lots of things will get completed around that time too...the future is exciting :cool:

Isn't Soho at Central the same as Studios at central?

I still don't know, what is the appeal to this condo? Isn't it the same as condos like the Sail?

120 'new age' studio offices go on sale

28 Apr 05

By Joyce Teo

FAR East Organization has started selling 120 'new age' studio offices at its mixed-use Central project in Clarke Quay.

Hoping to replicate the success of Central's small-office, home-office (SoHo) units, Far East began marketing the offices on April 1. Of the 32 units released in the middle of this month, 13 have been sold at an average of $1,080 per sq ft.

Prior to that, 86 per cent of 227 SoHo units at Central were sold at $1,100 psf on average, equivalent to some high-end freehold condominiums.

Located above Clarke Quay MRT station, the 99-year leasehold Central is aimed largely at the trendy high-income bracket.

To be completed in late 2007 or early 2008, Central will have two SoHo blocks of eight and 12 storeys, a retail podium and a 25-storey office block.

While the jury remains out on how fast the studio offices will sell, at least one person was impressed. Sales manager Ang Chek Yang, 35, is considering buying a unit for close to $1 million.

'New age stuff has caught on in the more developed countries and will very soon catch on here,' he said. 'There are not many new offices with views of the Singapore skyline. I am looking at a very conservative rental of $3 to $4 psf and a maximum of $5.80 psf.'

The studio offices range in size from 646 to 1,216 sq ft and, like the SoHo units, feature 4.5m-high ceilings. Each unit has a bathroom and decentralised air-conditioning, but unlike the SoHo units, they do not have certain furnishings such as washing machines.

Despite key differences, Far East said it is targeting similar buyers for both commercial properties.

Most buyers of the SoHo units are in their 40s and about 55 per cent of them are foreigners, said deputy chief operating officer Chia Boon Kuah.

'Buyers are very cosmopolitan. They have successful businesses, such as medical practices and consultancies, and are looking for Grade A offices in a good location,' he said.

Still, with most businesses prefering to rent, the studio offices will likely sell slower than homes, consultants said.

Central offers its occupiers shared facilities such as a swimming pool and a gym and also has retail and regular office space for lease.

Meanwhile, Mr Chia revealed the Far East headquarters could relocate to Central, taking up to five floors.

Riverside living has cottoned on in recent years. Knight Frank research director Tay Kah Poh described it as 'an attractive proposition because it gives a romantic notion of the French Riviera'.


Haha this Knight Frank guy has a great imagination! Dunno about you guys but I just can't picture the Singapore river "giving a romantic notion of the French Riviera" no matter how hard I try.

Was at the Rivergate showflat and the agent was going on and on about "how nice living by the river... blah blah blah" and I looked at the river and I almost puked.

LOL some areas by the Singapore River maybe look more like a drain, but it largely has been transformed and its pleasant in that you can stroll all the way from the RiverGate area to Boat Quay along a dedicated pedestrian promenade.

Its quite scenic in the evening as well. Clarke Quay is currently undergoing a makeover :cool:

Part of the building already reach 3rd floor, pic taken 23 May 2005.

http://www.geocities.com/unixxi/pict0046.jpg

I think thats the podium..it sure is rising fast now...can be seen over the fence :yes:

23 June 2005

http://img320.imageshack.us/img320/9140/soho23064kv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^
Woah finally see the structure.....:yes:

Great curve!!!, Singapore first own "Beacon Court"..:okay:

27 August 2005

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/2418/soho27081sc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Between 23 Jun and 27 Aug picture, the latter seems more colourful.

PS. I prefer your sail@marina avatar better.

Almost no progress here in 2 months :-(

yah quite slow...I'm surprised to see facade though...maybe its just a test piece. But the taller block has yet to rise behind.

@hya, i see

I'm using this avatar at the moment for fun :)

Interestingly, this was the ONLY Singapore-related avatar available on the standard avatar lists in the beginning, and quite a few Singapore forumers who joined used it as their first :yes:

I think the facades of the original shophouses should be rebuilt.

huh? you mean the shophouses that used to stand on the site?

Wouldnt seem to go well with the design.

Yup. Gallery Hotel has shophouse facade mimicks at the base facing the river.

oh...thats interesting! Got a pic of that??

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19990007088-9357-3072-0008/img068.jpg
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980005524-8120-3181-1379/img0117.jpg
What a huge area!!!
Should had made it like Clarke Quay or Far East Square! :cry:
Or at least rebuild the facades.


RC:
I try to find.

There.
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3292/p10201862tp.jpg

WOW! :eek:

Never noticed that part of Gallery Hotel before! I think it just adds to the funkiness :D

What a huge area!!!
Should had made it like Clarke Quay or Far East Square! :cry:
Or at least rebuild the facades.


overdose of shophouses!

How long ago was the shophouses and 2 blocks cleared?

Another photo:
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19990007087-9357-3072-1301/img093.jpg
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19990007090-0004-3012-0252/img093.jpg
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19990007091-0004-3012-0369/img076.jpg

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19990007095-0004-3012-2122/img035.jpg
Close up

they should have preserved those shophouses...but then, maybe the Clarke Quay MRT station construction was more important -_-

They look extremely damaged on one of those photos. Maybe that's why they were not preserved.

How long ago were they cleared?

Update on 24 Sep 2005

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/2710/p10206711dq.jpg

Finally it protruding......:yes:

ya... soon, we can't see the clarke quay view from UOB :(

The historic Ellenborough Street is gone forever. :(
And Chin Hin Street.

oh who cares now...at the most dont step into SOHO :lol:

anyway if you look closely at the the site, you can see another plot on the left also under construction.

oh who cares now...at the most dont step into SOHO :lol:

anyway if you look closely at the the site, you can see another plot on the left also under construction.

Is the site on the left part of SOHO@ Central?? :?

Is the site on the left part of SOHO@ Central?? :?

yes..should be..it will be a short block

and the tall part should rise over that huge circular hole on the main part of the site.

ya... soon, we can't see the clarke quay view from UOB :(

Frankly speaking, I find it quite ugly from this point of view... Overdose of flashy colors ;-) Far East Square was done with better taste, I feel.

Agree. That was discussed yesterday in this thread ;-)

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=5507955#post5507955

Oh, thanks ^ ^ I can't browse the forum very regularly, so I often miss threads and forget what is posted where lol.

Frankly speaking, I find it quite ugly from this point of view... Overdose of flashy colors ;-) Far East Square was done with better taste, I feel.

Far East Square is far too bland. Only 3 colours. China Square is much better.

I meant China Square, in fact ^ ^

Far East Square or China Square has lots of potential to create urban buzz...it is very tasteful IMO, but seems underutilized...Clarke Quay will definitely have a different vibe...more of a nightclub scene perhaps.

Far East, China and Capital Squares need more buzz.

22 October 2005
http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/4439/cs4mj.jpg

Conditions unfavourable for photography... :(

they have removed the showroom from site :yes:

Isn't the showroom now that grey cube thingy by the river? :?

no idea...but its no longer where it once was...where the concrete mixers are ;)

The show flat used to be by the road, adjacent to the bridge and near the MRT / buss top

http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/sf01_pix1.jpg

The world business landscape is being redefined and transformed by changes in economic, political, social and demographic trends. Over the past few years, the advancement of technology and the changing live-work-play lifestyle have evolved to empower businesses, teams and individuals to realise their potential in ways they have not imagined possible.

Work places are fast developing into borderless public spaces, which are extensions of leisure areas away from the confines of the physical office.

The portability, accessibility and convenience of the laptop, the internet and telecommunication devices have also transformed working life into a 24/7 lifestyle.

This evolution has led to the worldwide trend of city living where the confluence of work, entertainment and living is best met. This trend is underscored by the success of Far East Organization’s groundbreaking Icon at Tanjong Pagar, which is widely recognised as the first project in Singapore that capitalised on the demand for inner city living and offers loft-style living.

Responding further to the call of the 24/7 lifestyle, and the increasing global integration, Far East Organization is developing Singapore’s first integrated live-work-play development along the Singapore River. This landmark project, Central, offers habitation, lifestyle, business, community and transportation connectivity all within one complex. Designed for a population of 10,000 occupants, it will have two towers of SOHO (Small Office Home Office) units, a 25-storey office tower with New Age Offices as well as conventional office units with large floor plates, a retail podium with riverfront food and beverage outlets, a sky garden and recreational facilities, full public amenities and a community hub.

http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/sf01_title1.gif
The SOHO movement around the world has fuelled the transition of work from boardroom to home offices. Businesses are turning to the internet to trade and communicate. New digital infrastructures connect individuals and businesses anywhere, diminishing the divide between office and home. In addition, the yearn for greater personal control, flexibility and better quality of life has given rise to a new live-work-play trend.

Central’s SOHO is well placed to meet this need. The only purpose-built home offices in Singapore, these SOHO units come furnished with quality home finishes, fully fitted bathroom and a compact kitchenette, making setting up home, and office, in these units a breeze. SOHO at Central also offers a prestigious business address with full flexibility in commercial usage.

Since their launch in September last year, 90 per cent of the 227 SOHO units have already been sold. Central attracts a cosmopolitan clientele comprising successful entrepreneurs, professionals, business consultants and investors from around the world including Hong Kong, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, United Kingdom and India.

The New Age Office is another component of Central that is purpose-built to cater to a growing breed of new-age businesses that appreciate the trappings of a borderless workspace. These businesses demand continuous connectivity to the world, complete flexibility in every way and a lifestyle that never sleeps.

http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/sf01_pix2.jpg

Supporting these components are four levels of shopping mecca, food and beverage outlets by the river, a sky garden and recreational facilities, full public amenities and a community hub to complete the vibrant lifestyle offered by this integrated development.

Inspired by Roppongi Hills, Tokyo’s city within a city, and Xin Tian Di, Shanghai’s hot new district, this shopping paradise will host 600 hip retail outlets showcasing non-mainstream products and services, presenting a unique shopping experience by the river. To chill out from work or the hard work of retail therapy, Central’s food and beverage outlets by the river will be the place to watch the world go by.

http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/sf01_title1_2.gif
Central has amazing connectivity. It sits above the Clarke Quay MRT station making travelling to all parts of Singapore easy and convenient. It is also only two MRT stations away from the proposed integrated resort at Sentosa, and four stops from the New Downtown at Marina Bay.

Central is also the epicenter of a thriving community. The Central Business District with its working population of 50,000 is but a kilometre away. The civic centre is just across Coleman Bridge and the arts and cultural district of museums, galleries and the Esplanade, as well as the entertainment belt of Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Mohammed Sultan Road and Fullerton Square is further down the river. The river area, popular with expatriates, is also home to some 25,000 residents living in upmarket homes.

Surrounding Central is an educational enclave with an estimated 40,000 students and teaching academia, including 10,000 foreign students whom Singapore expects to attract. This study enclave comprises the new city campuses of Singapore Management University, LaSalle-SIA College of Arts, other private educational institutions in the Selegie and Bras Basah areas as well as the newly opened National Library.

Source from: http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/index.htm

http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/ph05_pix1.jpg

"When my friend first introduced me to this project in Hong Kong, I instinctively liked the development and the concept. I might be able to buy a bigger place for the same amount of money in Toronto, but this development is unique. You can't even find such a concept in Hong Kong. Central speaks for itself."
"I also like that it is in the centre of a tourist area. I could sit by the river, drink a cup of coffee, and take in the vibrant atmosphere. I like the fact that it is sitting on top of the MRT network."

"I have been living for over two decades in Toronto. But now I wish to travel around the Southeast Asia region. As an artist I am always looking for inspiration, to bring new levels to my creativity. I find that Hong Kong is too wild, while Toronto is too quiet. But Singapore, especially this river area is so vibrant, it has such an atmosphere. I am going to use Singapore as a base for my travels around this region."

"I am going to use my unit as a gallery and studio to reach out to more people. The high ceiling coupled with column free space will allow me flexibility to display my art works. I would have no problem exhibiting my long scrolls and have space enough for my smaller art pieces."

http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/ph05_pix3.jpg

Source from: http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/ph05.htm

http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/ph04_title.gif
http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/ph04_txt1.gif
Wireless communication has freed workers from their office desks. In fact, the very idea of a fixture is becoming passé. Handheld devices now replace unwieldy immobile machines. With the shrinking or invisibility of business tools these days, and the weaving of different components into fewer devices, workplaces are no longer defined by walls and furniture. Furniture and buildings need only accommodate, power, cool and connect.
In addition, telecommuting allows people to work anywhere anytime. The growing popularity of remote access and the exchange of knowledge occurring regularly in cyberspace have resulted in work activity and office space being less regimented. This has liberated offices to allow office designs to focus on people and space.

Moreover, the mobility of people and the increase in remote communication mean that workplaces now need to become more than just a place of work. It must play a part in strengthening the office community and promote employee interactions for team building skills.

The revolution of the workplace thus presents challenges to office design and reduces the significance of the physical office.

http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/ph04_txt2.gif
Welcome to the era of new age offices where workplaces are also extensions of leisure areas. Where relaxation and fun are no longer a bane at work. Instead, they are woven into the day's work schedule. Comfort levels are crucial. Employees unwind while working in an open and less rigid office environment. They have the flexibility to structure their day the way they deem fit so long as they continue being productive and accountable for the work they do. All these are done within an informal work ambience tailored to suit their creative mindsets without being stifled by the typical stiff white collared job schedule.

Through technology, businesses are becoming agile, mobile and changeable. They no longer need to be confined to the traditional office settings to carry out their operations. What they need are offices that are small, compact and high tech.

And as more people begin to work outside of the physical office and space, they will be looking at places where they can congregate to think of new creative ideas and concepts.


http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/ph04_txt3.gif
To cater to the new wave of businesses of this century, Far East Organization has created the New Age Office at Central. Purpose built with sizes ranging from 646 sq ft to 1,216 sq ft, each of these units comes with loft-like ceiling, full height wall-to-wall windows, a fitted pantry and en suite bathroom. Its compact size and atypical office design makes for an unconventional workspace layout and cosy ambience.

Conceived for small and medium-sized businesses, the New Age Office's extra volume space provided by the floor-to-floor height of 4.5m allows businesses to be more creative and innovative in their workplace design. For instance, companies can install espresso bars and ice cream counters at the pantry, or creatively weave in a yoga or meditation sanctuary on a split-level.

Fitted with broadband internet cabling with category 5 enhanced cables, New Age Office occupiers can easily reach out into every corner of the world. To be always on, always connected.

If the agenda is more formal, these entrepreneurs may also utilise the business centre to be set up within Central for those one to one gatherings or to meet their business associates.

For fun and relaxation, businesses can use the gymnasium, jacuzzi, swimming pool and roof garden that form part of Central. Furthermore, there is a five-storey retail podium with over 600 exciting shops, entertainment and dining outlets below the New Age Office tower.

Central is well placed to provide a vibrant cosmopolitan live-work-play environment to fire up the imagination of the Net Generation.


http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/img/ph04_pix1.jpg

Source from: http://www.fareast.com.sg/landmark/2q2005/ph04.htm

19th November

That's two more stories since Redstone's last update:
http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/051119_soho_central01.jpg

http://membres.lycos.fr/pengui/ssc/051119_soho_central02.jpg

oh yah :banana2:

more shopping at CQ !!

I hope there will be a food court... The nearest one is this area is Banquet at China Square Central, I think :-) Only expensive restaurants around...

cool pic Pengui!

If you look at the model there is a short square box and the taller triangular-shaped one.

I think thats the square box rising? hmmm

and I wouldnt be surprised if they throw in another generic food court there ;-)

Ok I dug out my SOHO brochure because all the renders we've got there are quite confusing... So I think you're right. It is the midrise 12 stories block that is rising now. This development is quite a mess... I suppose they had a lot of design constraints due to the weird shape of the site and the MRT station.

Even the midrise block looks massive already....the 25-storey one will really be quite a giant next to the shophouses of Clarke Quay :eek:

Far East unveils 5-storey mall at Central

20 Jan 06

JUST a day after putting in the highest bid for the former Glutton's Square site at Somerset, privately held Far East Organization yesterday unveiled details of another project - a 200,000 square foot mall at Central, above the Clarke Quay MRT Station.

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-01-20/BT_3383597_20_01_2006.jpg

Chief operating officer (retail and lifestyle) Chia Boon Pin declined to give details about its plans for the Somerset site but was enthusiastic about Central, the biggest mall owned by Far East and due to open by the end of this year.

With 600 units spread over five levels, the concept for the mall is a contemporary, hip place that is targeted at young, globalised urbanites, especially 25-year-old women.

Outsourcing its mall management for the first time, Far East roped in Japanese mall expert Parco to manage Central. Parco's roles also include the conceptualisation and implementation of retail concept, marketing and operations.

'Parco is a very well-established manager of retail malls in Singapore,' Mr Chia explained on the tie-up. 'With their expertise in managing shops in Japan, they really manage a very wide tenant base of international brands as well. They will really add value to Central.'

Another reason is that Parco intends to bring in new brands and concepts. Parco Singapore's director Shuichi Hidaka said it is in talks with some Japanese brands to enter the Singapore market, though he declined to give names.

But it won't be a Japanese transplant - it will have a mixture of Japanese, international and local brands, with the mall having 'a touch of Japan', Mr Hidaka said.

Retail will take up 55 per cent of the mall, while F&B and services make up the remainder. Shops units will be between 200 and 500 sq ft. Mr Chia said its F&B outlets will face the Singapore River, which is at the mall's doorstep. The basement will house a supermarket and a food hall, which will borrow from the food floor concepts that Japanese department stores are famed for.

Far East and its marketing agent CB Richard Ellis have been talking to prospective tenants, and rental is set at between $7 and $40 per sq ft monthly, with the average at $12.50 psf monthly. Far East's highly successful Level One at Far East Plaza commands average rentals of over $30 psf per month.

With estimates of 155,000 people working and 60,000 residents around Central, Parco projects that 40,000 to 50,000 people will visit the mall on weekdays, with up to 70,000 shoppers on weekends. Parco operates 19 stores in Japan and also manages Parco Bugis Junction here.

Central is Far East's integrated development that includes residences, offices and businesses in a $500 million development. About 95 per cent of its 227-unit SoHo (Small Office Home Office) have been sold, and it has also moved around 70 per cent of the 120 units of its New Age Office.

By ALEXANDRA HO

Hopefully it'll bring more buzz to the area during the day.......it seems pretty dead in the day now.......:yes:

at least it'll provide some aircon-coverage!

22 January 2006

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7739/soho22011aw.jpg

I was surprised by how fast the small block in front of the Merchant Court went up from nothing. Also, you can't see it on RC's photo but the tallest tower is coming up. Core is already above ground level.

The retail concept seems exciting. Better than I expected from Far East :-p

12/2/06

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/4737/dsc0187117lh.jpg

Btw what's that small building rising in fron of Merchant Court? :dunno:

This is also part of SOHO@Central, check it out earlier in this thread. I think it's topped up already.

It already looks so gigantic, yet the 25-storey tower is yet to rise

It IS rising, I just realize that it's hidden in the two last updates, but there are at least two floors of core out of the ground, already :-)

19 Feb 2006

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9533/dscn30251af.jpg

Will this building make an impact on the surrounding area? I mean the hieght...

Depending if you are comparing it with the shophouses? or the skyscrapers?

However, I feel it should not block the entire view of the Merchant Court Hotel side facing the skyscrapers. That section should be made shorter than Merchant Court.

19 Feb 2006

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9533/dscn30251af.jpg

I know its kinda out of point but the canopy at Clarke Quay is looking pretty futuristic and its coming along way fine. When will it be completed? Heard its air conditioned or air cooled or something like that?

But it looks pretty daunting and scary at the same time, like something out of Mars.

don't think it's air-conditioned. Already, the huge canopy has multi-colour lights at night. if i am not wrong, the entire Clarke Quay should complete end of this year.

Complete end of the year?? Hmm...in line with SOHO's central opening....:yes:

A bit off point also.....but i think they should revamp liang court and riverside point to make the whole clarke quay an irresistable place......:yes:

16 March 2006 ...not a lot of changes....

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/7186/soho11zc.jpg

Why is the taller tower so slow?

Good progress there...

the taller tower isnt slow, it just started after the shorter one, but is also progressing steadily :yes:

it's such a nice boutique mall.

22 April 2006

Cladding is going up on the shorter block.
The taller block is still progressing, and there is a 3rd block next to Merchant Court Hotel that looks like it has topped.

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9651/soho22040an.jpg

Wow.....another nice classy building in the making.....:yes:

Can foresee clarke quay to be more exciting and crowded next time......Marina Square which was rather quiet b4 renovation, is now rather crowded during the weekends....:yes:

yup...all these developments made possible by the NEL, which encourages integration.

i kinda like the colour and design of the facade...suitable and respectful to the river and its heritage.

what is NEL anyway?

facade got special req't maybe coz its facing river?

North East Line.

Most MRT stations along NEL have planned for developments to be built atop them.

eg Harbourfront, Dhoby Ghaut, Clarke Quay.

In future, Outram Park & Farrer Park possibly :cool:

There was talk of a pedestrian bridge being built across the river at this point. Will it happen?

it should be done by 2009, n its at marina bay, topic's here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=324972

No, sorry, I meant at this point in space, not in time :-)

I mean that there was talk of a pedestrian bridge right in front of Clarke Quay station. But I have not heard anything about it recently.

there is a 3rd block next to Merchant Court Hotel that looks like it has topped.

Yes, the 3rd block topped out somewhere in February I believe.

I think I saw in some earlier renderings about a bridge to connect this development to Clarke Quay shophouses, although I wonder if its really necessary as there are 2 existing bridges nearby.

5/5/06:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4387/dsc00419rw.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2324/dsc00427wa.jpg

11/05/2006

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/4267/soho15qh.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/5494/soho29hh.jpg

Just as I expected, part of Merchant Court is gone ... next time if stay Merchant Court ... must tell them ... dont want to room opp SOHO ... haha ...

Anyway ... the swimming pool is so near to the road hor ... if people in the swimming splash water outside ... will wet the people and the car on the road ... haha !

The 4.5m ceiling height --> not very apparent from the outside ... maybe still very covered up ... cant see ...

I think I will feel very "exposed" to be staying at the junction of North Canal Rd (the rd the yellow taxi is on) and Eu Tong Sen road ... haha ... but good for exhibitionist though ... haha!

nice update, can't wait to see the taller one rise

Why is SOHO@Central posted here?? :?

Why is SOHO@Central posted here?? :?

sorry it is my fault, posted it in the wrong section (not sure if its got anything to do with the time when SCC was down a few days ago)

if the mods could move the post to the appropriate thread, i would Greatly appreciate it. Thanks! :)

I'll help move it.

Thanks for the update ;-)

19 May 2006
Another side of it from afar.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8106/48yd2.jpg

19 May 2006

another side of it from a top-down angle

I cant wait for the taller block to rise

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/3520/soho19056cl.jpg

Will tht taller building be taller than other buildings in the surrounding areas?

erm...it will be about the same height as 1 George St, maybe slightly shorter than High St Ctr....but in its location, it will be really massive :eek:

That's the maximum height?

yah...25-storeys tall....but the building volume is quite huge!

3 June 2006

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5323/soho03065jd.jpg

Another construction in its last stages.....:D

^^

yup thats just for the shorter block...

imagine the impact with the other one :eek:

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-03-10/krcentral10-192635.jpg

OMG!!! :eek:

Are they opening the mall this year?? :? Can they finish the taller tower this year?? :?

Not sure about the mall-opening date...may be possible while they work on the taller block...the taller block will finish late this year (earliest) I guess....

Not sure about the mall-opening date...may be possible while they work on the taller block...the taller block will finish late this year (earliest) I guess....

I see.....:yes:

Anyway, I think with the mall opening, Clarke Quay will be even more crowded....:yes:

12/6/06:
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4577/dsc00097fp.jpg

That looks huge!

looks like it has killed some of the views of Merchant Court Hotel!

^ Yeah....I think those rooms are cheaper i think.....sigh...

What's in that cubic tower?

I imagine Merchant Court and Central guests/residence would not have privacy.

5 August 2006

The taller block is rising on the left

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/soho0508.jpg

yah ... TOP by early sept for the mall ... should be able to open this year end to catch the moment :)

Yeah ... this is coming up very fast ... drove past the other day ...

Merchant Court is like Xi (Four) Mian (Face) Chu Ge (Song) ... poor thing ...

The rates of Merchant Court has not dropped ok ? ...

29/08/2006


http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/1083/sohoupdatoh8.jpg

nice angle...those look like skygardens on the shorter block :)

I saw them try some lightings on the facade......seems colourful.....something like the international plaza revamp at a smaller scale....:yes:

5 November 2006

Looks like the mall and shorter block will open first

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/soho0511.jpg

^ Wow....the mall looks like it's going to open any min....:yes:

yup...it will provide a nice alternative to walking along Clarke Quay...initially found the project a bit insensitive to its surroundings but it should help provide more choice for rivergoers...hope the river-frontage will be spacious

Oh... I'm not sure at all about the river frontage, it's got no interesting shapes - just a flat wall. It's also a bit bland and featureless, I'm not sure about the white strips (I think it would have worked better just glass) and the colour panels don't do much for it (although I can see that only some of them have been put on so far so maybe it'll look better across the whole length of the facade). To be honest I'm a little disappointed with how it looks at the moment, however I'll reserve final judgement until it's finished.

Very nice!

I'm disappointed that the pedestrian bridge that they were talking about does not seem to have materialized.

looks quite nice though ^^

I guess it is *primarily* a commercial building, so you can't expect it to look like a condominium. It will certainly be nice for the people who both work and live there. I wonder though if any control will be exerted over the *kinds* of business that get set up there --- they will have to be careful.

I'm disappointed that the pedestrian bridge that they were talking about does not seem to have materialized.

the pedestrian mall is still on the drawing board!
and they are already building that.

attended a seminar, the achitect says its build for the intergration of the transport system. covering walkway to the bus stop.

a gift for the pedestrian!

Oh u attended the seminar from LTA? how was it? nice?

15 November 2006

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9333/dsc0058tx1.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7814/dsc0065ee9.jpg

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/4984/dsc0067ny3.jpg

Your pics are cool... But this podium cladding is so... huuuhh... eighties... >_<

15 November 2006


http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7814/dsc0065ee9.jpg


The small openings on this pictures are actually openings for the cooling towers. heard from the architect that they spend alot on this facade, to showcase that this ugly things (cooling towers) can actually be hidden cleverly by good designs.

RafflesCity says this is insensitive to the surrounding building ... very the agree ... imagine Traders Hotel guests ... its like someone build a wall in front of your house ... think Feng Shui for Traders Hotel is affected ... Central looks like a spanner clamping the hotel ... haha ...

Your Feng Shui Guru is back !

^ U mean Swissotel Merchant Court?? :?

^^

should be Swissotel Merchant Court :yes:

RafflesCity says this is insensitive to the surrounding building ... very the agree ... imagine Traders Hotel guests ... its like someone build a wall in front of your house ... think Feng Shui for Traders Hotel is affected ... Central looks like a spanner clamping the hotel ... haha ...

Your Feng Shui Guru is back !

LOL...I think URA normally impose some kind of building setback requirement between adjacent developments...but this seems really close

The mini block of Central is just a few metres away from Merchant Court! :eek:

Absolutely no views and privacy.

http://i15.tinypic.com/33my0e8.jpg

What are the black things? LCD screens? Or just painting?

painting .. but not final. its just water proffing

What are the black things? LCD screens? Or just painting?
Oh man! Imagine massive screens on this! One of the things that Singapore lacks compared to a lot of other Asian cities are big screens on buildings. It's a good thing in one sense in that I think if you have too many they are gaudy and over the top but I would like to see some areas with them. I wouldn't like all of Singapore looking like Shinjuku or Shibuya but one or two focal points with some massive screens would be great. The Orchard Turn junction would be an ideal place. Imagine the whole podium fecade of the new Orchard Turn skyscraper as one big screen as well as smaller ones on the other buildings around it! Much like the junction outside Shibuya train station in Tokyo:
http://blog.estadao.com.br/blog/media/shibuya.JPG
The whole fecade of that building is one massive screen, I'm not sure how they do it but when parts of the screen are not in use you can just see through it to the glass fecade behind.

Sorry, I've gone off topic...

^^

massive LCD screen will be good on this development...since it enjoys a prominent frontage along New Bridge Rd and directly across Clarke Quay, with neighbours like MoS.

A massive LCD viewed from across the river would certainly be an interesting contrast to the restored shophouses that make up Clarke Quay. My reason for suggesting Orchard Turn though was that it would have the potential to be employed on an unprecidented scale, rivalling even that of Shibuya, also there is no immediate historic setting that could be damaged by it.

Agree with Andrew ... Orchard Turn would be a good one ...

Something like what they did for Suntec City ... but ... need to be a bit more Atas ..

The problems with these LCD display is the content ... you need exciting content to keep it interesting ... if you merely see it as a form of advertising revenue ... then ... tough luck ...

I am sure you dont want to see Chicken Essence ads followed by OSIM chairs, followed by PUB asking u to save water, gahmen asking you to remember to smile ...

Hahaha! Yeah, agreed 100%. They put a number of things on the ones in Tokyo - some adverts but also things like music videos.
We haven't got many big screens on buildings here in the UK but on the ones I've seen there has usually been things like BBC news and weather with a bit of local city news and events in text going across the bottom. They're great for sporting events.

the mall is opening in january 2007.:banana:

really? that's good .. hehe ^^ *expecting good sale*

update...

SOHO and two office blocks enveloping Merchant Court Hotel...

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9069/22122006037ys0.jpg

different angle it looks so unusually green and misty I was wondering whether that was Singapore for a moment! :lol:

yes, taken just before it rain... it was a chilly day...

the pic was taken on my HP camera without the help of Photoshop... :)

thanks for sharing, sometimes its better to simply take pics in the natural without applying extensive 'make-up'. For me I usually adjust the contrast a little or sharpen :-)

Looks like many rooms in the hotel would be blocked by a building a few metres away. :(

Update (23/12/06):
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1999/dscf1201go3.jpg

it looks very 'happening' in your pic :D

it looks very 'happening' in your pic :D

Haha....yeah such a youngster place it seems....:D

^^

that location definitely needs a development like this, as it was feeling a bit tired and touristy...the drawing of locals there may hopefully improve the dynamics of the area :yes:

4 other pictures of Central which i took today....:yes:

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/8133/dscf1194ai9.jpg
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/3633/dscf1197zf2.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/228/dscf1202rs8.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6398/dscf1199om8.jpg

is that a pedestrian overpass connecting to central's second storey?

is that a pedestrian overpass connecting to central's second storey?

In the first picture??? :?

in the first picture (of the set of four). does that make sense? there is a long white thing on the right side of the picture. drove by it today, and looked like it was a pedestrian bridge groing across eu tong sen. however, there's nothing going across new bridge road (yet?).

was wondering if anyone knew if this really was a pedestrian bridge and if so, where is it going to go to? no space on the other side of new bridge road for it to go....

in the first picture (of the set of four). does that make sense? there is a long white thing on the right side of the picture. drove by it today, and looked like it was a pedestrian bridge groing across eu tong sen. however, there's nothing going across new bridge road (yet?).

was wondering if anyone knew if this really was a pedestrian bridge and if so, where is it going to go to? no space on the other side of new bridge road for it to go....

Yes it's a pedestrain bridge.....:yes: I guess it bring the shoppers to the opposite bus stop perhaps....:yes:
http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/4758/dscf1195hp6.jpg

hmmm..thats definitely a nice touch :yes:

thanks.... must watch for the other half of this bridge in the coming weeks. :)

Did any part of central opened yet?

Nope, still awaiting. Fronting the mall next to the bus stop is Starbucks Coffee. :)

Central Mall opens in about a month's time : 4 floors with 1 basement

The Soho@Central, and the Office Towers will TOP end 2007

Hope that helps

heard that at least one of the stores in the basement will be opening on the 18th of january.:)

Hope that area will get a boost of life 24/7 with a varied choice of tenant mix unlike in chinatown point.

The tenant mix is a bit disappointing ...

But guess with the current many shopping malls coming up, it is difficult to get good tenants ...

Also noticed that there is clearly missing anchor tenant ... or is there some cinemas in this ?

Your Friendly Guru ... ...

heard that at least one of the stores in the basement will be opening on the 18th of january.:)

pepper lunch's official opening. :)

the place is already open to public though works are going on. pepper lunch will be open for lunch and dinner only tomorrow...

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/9613/dsc0064sn1.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3449/dsc0065tb4.jpg

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/4466/dsc0066fg2.jpg

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/9070/dsc0073ep2.jpg

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/9118/dsc0067ci0.jpg

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/8688/dsc0068ft8.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5633/dsc0070ma6.jpg

Pepper Lunch at Basement 1
http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/269/dsc0071jd3.jpg

Taxi Stand at Basement 1
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3286/dsc0072sk2.jpg

With a single tenant in place ... they can also start business ?
People go all the way there to see this outlet and have makan ?

Anyway ... 3 cheers for Tamago !

YFG ... ...

so mant esclators.

With a single tenant in place ... they can also start business ?
People go all the way there to see this outlet and have makan ?

Anyway ... 3 cheers for Tamago !

YFG ... ...
lohn john silver and starbucks are also open at the frontage area. basement is a food street if i'm not mistaken (i see another food shop being prepped)... :cheers:

Oh i think i love this place much more than vivo.

the high glass atrium with view of the river looks great :)

Been there yesterday, but my camera was out of battery ^ ^
I love the main atrium, looking great, and it came as a surprise there were two of them lol. It was very bright inside and when you walk around and turn the corners it always feel like you just found out some new secret area...
Although later you get to realise the area is connected to the outside or some other part through an escalator ;-) There's no dead end, escalators all over the place and great views on Singapore river.

About half of the shops were open maybe, including the food court on lvl4. We tried the Bamboo Rice Without Bamboos kind of stall and it was good and not so expensive. It's great to have a food court here since the nearest in the area previously were People's Park, Banquet near China Square and Funan's. None of them being exactly near.

All in all, a lot of cool stuff over there ! Will go again !

Some Central pictures taken today......quite a number of shops open.....:yes:

1.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Central%20Clarke%20Quay/DSCF1263.jpg

2.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Central%20Clarke%20Quay/DSCF1259.jpg

3.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Central%20Clarke%20Quay/DSCF1258.jpg

4.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Central%20Clarke%20Quay/DSCF1262.jpg

Escalator heaven

5.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Central%20Clarke%20Quay/DSCF1270.jpg

6.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Central%20Clarke%20Quay/DSCF1268.jpg

7.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Central%20Clarke%20Quay/DSCF1264.jpg

looks very fresh! love the glassy feelings of it...

^^ i went there today :yes: most of the shop open :D

looks like a great new place to check-out while at Clarke Quay

I like the banners with the fish :cool:

snap shot before a few beers at brewerkz...

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5893/dsc00007ul6.jpg

snap shot before a few beers at brewerkz...

It would have been interesting to have another snapshot AFTER... ^ ^

I went there a few days ago and was a bit disappointed by it...
Before it opened there was a lot of hype about it featuring Japanese/Korean brands... but I saw the usual local shops selling variants of youth fashion (comparing it to say, Velocity, which really lived up to its "sports mall" hype). Maybe it's because only a few shops are open... only time will tell...
The layout is very also utilitarian....sort of remains of me of Tiong Bahru Plaza. The network of escalators are also very confusing... you're not sure just which floor you're gonna end up at...
Just my two cents worth :cheers:

10 February 2007

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/central1002.jpg

The view is sure ugly from this side of view. it blocks the fantastic view of clarke quay. I guess the only great views will be people living in CENTRAL.

As a huge development smack in between the 2 conservation districts of Boat Quay & Clarke Quay...I've always felt that its proportions were a little oversized....but then again it is located over the MRT station, so it would be an opportunity-loss not to take advantage of its plot ratio....at least the glass facade could reflect the historical buildings :)

taken from OneNorthBridge

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/2023/cimg1936ek0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)