21 Jul 05

http://www.ura.gov.sg/lad/bfc/images/bfc-main1.jpg


Marina Bay will play an integral role in Singapore's latest efforts to sell itself internationally.

Unveiling the "Marina Bay" brand on Thursday, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said this area would be the main focal point for the city.

The project will also help differentiate Singapore from other cities.

However the minister gave the assurance that the existing Central Business District would not be neglected.

A waterfront city in a garden: that is how Singapore is planning to sell itself with Marina Bay as the focal point of the city.

Already, some S$400,000 have been invested in promoting the new "Marina Bay" brand.

Mr Mah said: "Internationally, we want to create a point of difference to compete with other cities. We don't want Singapore to be just like any other city. We want it to be distinctive, to be different. And Marina Bay will personify this difference."

For a start, the government will encourage distinctiveness in its urban design having at the same time the look and feel of a world-class city.

It also wants to make Singapore's skyline one of the most beautiful in the world.

And for that, the National Development Minister said he expected to see an iconic building erected at the Marina Bay area over the next few years.

He also expected Marina Bay to be a place attractive to people.

So what is going to happen to the existing Central Business District?

Mr Mah said this area was still very important and would not be allowed to deteriorate.

In fact, the government would be looking at redeveloping the area together with the existing building owners.

He said: "As demand for new good quality office space grows, we need to develop a new area and the Marina Bay area allows us to create new opportunities, new types of buildings, bigger floor plates, more integrated developments where you have office space, retail and other uses."

The Business and Financial Centre is one of the first such developments that will cater to this new demand.

It was recently awarded to a consortium of developers for a total of S$1.8 billion - at S$4,100 per square metre.

Mr Mah said: "I think the timing has been right. It has allowed the investors to come in and make this investment. They obviously felt the investment interest was very high and I guess that showed they felt there was a lot of potential for such a development. I guess that's reflected in the price."

With the launch of "Marina Bay" brand, Mr Mah hopes to attract new ideas for the development of the area.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline05/skyline05-03/text/images/pg6.jpg

http://www.ura.gov.sg/lad/bfc/thumbnail/images/attraction-prestaddress.jpg

http://www.ura.gov.sg/lad/bfc/thumbnail/images/attraction-totalconnect_01.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/lad/bfc/thumbnail/images/attraction-totalconnect_02.jpg

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

Please note that the rendering for the Business & Financial Centre shown here is not the actual one

WoW...

This project surely will change Singapore's skyline

great for singapore.........
man........
i just thought singapore ran out of space......
and then boom!.........
another great development..............

Exciting......:D

Yeah that's nice !!!!

Nice indeed...Are all heights of those planned buildings fixed?

It will take some time for Singapore to grow the Marina Bay brand, which is IMO semantically weak as a brandname. And right now it still seems like Singapore Inc isn't yet spontaneous enough to establish the kind of destinational quality to its premium urban project. New York had Times Square - an era of sleaze, the birthplace of neon, the address of the world's best countdown party annually; Hong Kong had Victoria Harbour - a choice representation of the exotic east in contemporary films like Tomb Raider and DHL commercials. Marina Bay remains largely undeveloped and in the conceptual stages. And the concepts have largely been distasteful (ala kitsch casino by Wynn Resorts and world's biggest ferris wheel - yay!).

What Singapore will require in this most ambitious of its plans yet (ie convincing the world that there IS something she has that no other city can outshine) is the fullest expression of its urban moods, in all its leering aspects, and not just in its newest site of development. Singaporeans can easily outquirk and outshine other denizens of the modern metropolis category. We have so many cultural idiosyncracies... One frontrunner will be the gay superculture that only Singaporeans are not aware of. Singapore runs two of Asia's largest gay internet networks. And Singaporeans organise Asia's biggest gay party annually, which was thrown out of Singapore this year due to an unfortunate machismo backlash from a minister of state. Filmmakers have also been budding all over since the promotion of film as a powerful means of establishing presence in the consciousness of dilettantes and social commentators worldwide. Eric Khoo recently graced Cannes as the opening selection with his film "Be With Me". Perhaps, in time, more films will go on to establish the Singapore organism on the silverscreen beyond 5minute airbrushed tourism advertisements, making the "Singaporean persona" a force to be reckoned with alongside Zhang Yimou's picturesque peasant and Wong Kar Wai's smouldering diva.

What could follow up brilliantly to this campaign promoting the real returns of financial investment in Singapore's new CBD, ostentatiously hailed as an unfurling of the epitome of the Singaporean legacy on the perfect tabula rasa, would be a social liberation drive. Giving filmmakers free reign to express their emotions about their surroundings. Letting sycophants of every variety hold the parties that they want. Letting the legacy formats of film, literature and art fluorish as the first pillars of the new CBD go up, a CBD that isn't just about the most beautiful skyline or the most efficient accessibility, but a new urban scape that in fully insync with the throbbing pulse of a city's innate rhythm. That is what will make our city. The people and their stories, not just the architecture.

"Mr Mah said: "Internationally, we want to create a point of difference to compete with other cities. We don't want Singapore to be just like any other city. We want it to be distinctive, to be different. And Marina Bay will personify this difference." " - for a start, why don't we let our distinguished gay community hold Nation 06 on Marina Green next year? You can bet Asia's richest, most extravagant and most venerable opinions will be painting Singapore in a good light again.

Nice indeed...Are all heights of those planned buildings fixed?

no not necessarily, and neither are the actual designs which will involve the developers, architects & government planning agencies.

edit: Added a pic taken from the waterfront promenade

Taken in April 2006:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nitebay.jpg

http://home.pacific.net.sg/~mippy/marinabay.jpg

Marina Bay the new brand name
22 Jul 05

URA will use concept to sell Singapore as a leading global city

By Daryl Loo

A YEAR-LONG search for a new brand name to help sell major developments in Marina Bay has ended with a final decision.

And the winner is... Marina Bay.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will now take the Marina Bay concept to the world as a key part of its plan to sell Singapore as a leading global city.

URA chief executive Cheong Koon Hean said over the next year, the authority will take Marina Bay to international property conferences to 'talk to international investors, property analysts and the media about the project and business opportunities'.

Already, she led a team in March this year to promote some of these projects at the Marche International des Professionals de L'Immobilier, a major international real estate conference held in Cannes, France.

Under the official Marina Bay banner, the URA will pitch the Explore, Exchange, Entertain concept, which sells the idea of a 'work, live, play' lifestyle, rather than the land or buildings themselves.

URA executive planner Shirlene Sim said: 'We have assessed the competition and we realise Singapore cannot compete on land and buildings.'

Yesterday's brand launch offered a sneak peek into Marina Bay's future.

In the smart 62nd-storey Tower Club in Republic Plaza, 170 guests who included developers, property consultants and the international media were shown a sleek three-minute video and models of various developments.

The URA paid brand consultancy Interbrand $400,000 to come up with an ideal brand for the area. In the process, it consulted parties such as developers, retailers, restaurant owners and tour operators.

Some 400 possible names had been mooted. Previously, the area had variously been dubbed 'New Downtown', 'extension of the CBD' and 'Marina Bayfront'.

But as it turned out, the right name had been staring everyone in the face all along.

'The name is not new. But what has been used informally so far has now endeared itself to all parties,' said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan at the launch.

Over the past five years, the Government has introduced residential, office and entertainment sites in the area with a vision to transform it into a 'work, live, play' centre.

A 1,111-unit City Developments condominium, The Sail @ Marina Bay, is already half-sold and will be ready for its first residents by 2009. Office complex One Raffles Quay is now being built and will be ready next year.

The site for a new business and financial centre was successfully tendered out to a consortium of developers comprising Keppel Land, Cheung Kong Holdings and Hongkong Land last week.

Also in the pipeline is the high-profile integrated resort that will include a casino, which is scheduled for completion by 2010.

Mr Mah said: 'Cities around the world are experiencing a new burst of energy, be they New York, London, Dubai from further afield, or Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Shanghai or Hong Kong nearer to home.

'We are all fighting for the same global pool of investors, talent and jobs.'

Is Singapore going to hold fast to its 280m height cap ?

fantastic news for Singapore! You guys should really build a supertall (400m+)over there. :okay:

Is Singapore going to hold fast to its 280m height cap ?


from the renderings i think the tallest still 280m

i think should be more around 300m+

i heard that the buildings in singapore have a certain height limit because singapore is so small that pretty much everywhere is near the airport so they cant have skyscrapers goin too tall

i heard that the buildings in singapore have a certain height limit because singapore is so small that pretty much everywhere is near the airport so they cant have skyscrapers goin too tall


not so cos the city center are quite a distance from the airport

if i'm not wrong the height limit is not above 400m+ :)

yeah but singapore is so small that a "Distance" isn't even that far. the airport is about 12 miles away from the city centeer. 12 miles wont even get you from LA to pasadena.

soo if u were to travel the "speedlimit" at 75mph, you'd get from the airport to the city center in like 15 minutes and that definitely is not far

i heard that the height limit has already been reached, and thats why singapore's tallest buildings are all the same height :)

not so cos the city center are quite a distance from the airport

if i'm not wrong the height limit is not above 400m+ :)
height limit 280m .
and you guys might want to check out http://www.marina-bay.sg/index-flash.htm

Wow, that's going to look great. What was there before? I'm amazed by how much Singapore can grow being such a small space. Regarding the gay culture, is there any law that forbids homosexual acts taking place still? And if so, why? Since there are seemingly so many Singaporean gays.

I’m very skeptical of the trend to develop ‘new extensions of CBD’s’ by governments. Urban areas evolve over time, they cannot be created in a few years. What will be created is a concrete jungle without any soul. Docklands in Melbourne is another perfect example. Although Marina is a lot smaller than Docklands, Docklands clearly proved that governments are inefficient when managing large urban renewal developments.

NOTHING! Now its just an empty piece of reclaimed land, with some trees and grass, and 1 completed skyscraper, 2 skyscrapers under construction and 1 land parcel sold to a HK Singapore developer.

NOTHING! Now its just an empty piece of reclaimed land, with some trees and grass, and 1 completed skyscraper, 2 skyscrapers under construction and 1 land parcel sold to a HK Singapore developer.

4 skyscrapers under construction right at the moment of this post.

1 Raffles Quay = 2
The Sail = 2

Also under construction now, is the Marina Barrage project.

Over the next few years the construction will intensify as the BFC project and Integrated Resort and new MRT extension get underway.

that looks awesome! :yes: :yes:

I’m very skeptical of the trend to develop ‘new extensions of CBD’s’ by governments. Urban areas evolve over time, they cannot be created in a few years. What will be created is a concrete jungle without any soul. Docklands in Melbourne is another perfect example. Although Marina is a lot smaller than Docklands, Docklands clearly proved that governments are inefficient when managing large urban renewal developments.

London Docklands is a positive example. The first new docklands-type projects is a wonderful regeneration project.

Wow, that's going to look great. What was there before? I'm amazed by how much Singapore can grow being such a small space.

What was there before?

Sea.

The land is entirely reclaimed. The reclamation for the CBD started in the late 70s:

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980006806-8262-3202-1349/img0041.jpg
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980006806-8262-3202-1349/img0048.jpg

some more views
http://img31.photobucket.com/albums/v94/huaiwei/pr04-09_Page_2.jpg
http://img31.photobucket.com/albums/v94/huaiwei/pr04-09_Page_3a.jpg
http://img31.photobucket.com/albums/v94/huaiwei/pr04-09_Page_1a.jpg

Singapore has continuously been reclaiming land right until today and it is still continuing.

London Docklands is a positive example. The first new docklands-type projects is a wonderful regeneration project.


london docklands is not a postive example. first it was struck by a real estate crisis in the 80s and became a symbol of failed planning. only many many years later the docklands became relatively popular. it surely is a nice regeneration project but not a very inspiring one I'm afraid. the architecture is boring. and it's not very livable either. that shopping center is a symbol of mediocracy - fits well into canary wharf though...


now, singapore's development looks fabulous. it will be integrated into the adjacent city center - unlike canary wharf.

Very exciting, so many projects.....

http://www.pub.gov.sg/Marina/images/marinaimage.gif

http://www.pub.gov.sg/images/marinarelease2.jpg
This is the Marina Barrage, now u/c.

Singapore is an amazing country. I loved it on my last visit, and i remeber how amazed I was walking along boat quay. I would definitly go back once this project is completed.

I have a couple of nice shot of singapore and its skyline www.flickr.com/abdulla_qatar

You can see the skyline today and then think of it doubled in size to get an idea of how big this project is !!

Good Luck Singapore.

Wow............
i love u Singapore...........!!!!

london docklands is not a postive example. first it was struck by a real estate crisis in the 80s and became a symbol of failed planning. only many many years later the docklands became relatively popular. it surely is a nice regeneration project but not a very inspiring one I'm afraid. the architecture is boring. and it's not very livable either. that shopping center is
I agree. Having been to the London Docklands, my impressions are of a desolate, unwelcoming, windswept 9-to-5 urban nightmare. Hopelessly uninspired architecture and nothing to attract anybody other than the workers. ((shudder)). Mediocrity is the keyword.

Singapore is an amazing city. It beats Dubai by far, yet keeps a very low profile. I like its modesty, yet the city does not have to stand back to the likes of Hong Kong and Shangai. Well done!

What a beautiful project Singapore!
Hopefully it will all go as planned.

Keep us updated on the constructions
at the Marina Bay!

http://img49.exs.cx/img49/8675/sailnitepano.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=174108
The Sail, 245m super luxury condominiums.

20 July 2005

http://tinypic.com/99nqmq.jpg
By RafflesCity

http://www.meinhardt.com.sg/admin/project_images/OneRafflesQuayWebsite.jpg
One Raffles Quay, 245m office tower

http://www.geocities.com/unixxi/orq3_090705.jpg
^As at 9 July

This project will make Singapore's skyline even more beautiful.

Actually the Downtown project was announced in 2004.... :)

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/2964/pano20050806a5jj.jpg
Site of New Downtown, pano by Hyacinthus from the terrace at Overseas Union House.

One Raffles Quay is cool!

S'pore set to be 'sparkling jewel' in 10 years' time

Marina Bay, Orchard Road, heartland part of all-encompassing vision of nation at 50

22 Aug 05

By Li Xueying

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-08-22/aspark22-000220.jpg

IMAGINE in 10 years, when Singapore turns 50, that you are in Shenton Way surrounded by familiar tower blocks - but the scene as you gaze out to Marina Bay is totally different from now.

Instead of bumboats and a distant view of trees on reclaimed land, you see not one, not two, but three gardens, an integrated resort and a shimmering finance centre.

There's a cosmopolitan buzz as joggers, espresso-sipping office workers and sightseers both local and foreign throng the 'Bayfront' that makes up the gateway to one of Asia's most exciting cities - and what's more, there's good fengshui as well.

This is part of the vision of Singapore as a 'vibrant, global' city that was outlined by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his speech last night.

Armed with video slides and enthusiasm, Mr Lee described how Singapore can become a dynamic city, not just for attracting tourists, but 'also to create an outstanding living environment for all Singaporeans'.

To achieve this, Singapore should capitalise on its strengths - its multicultural heritage, clean and safe environment, disciplined and energetic people, and a cosmopolitan and open society, said Mr Lee.

Just as other cities such as New York and Dubai are reinventing themselves, so should Singapore.

'Our city must be full of life, energy and excitement,' said Mr Lee. 'It must be a place where people want to live, work and play, and where they are stimulated to achieve, be creative and enjoy life.'

From Orchard Road for shoppers, Bras Basah and Bugis for students, to heartland estates like Toa Payoh for residents, rejuvenation has begun. And 'in five to 10 years' it will be seen taking shape, he said.

The most exciting change - the 'centrepiece', as Mr Lee puts it - will take place in Marina Bay. 'The Bayfront will be the signature image of Singapore,' he said.

He showed a slide of the new downtown in 10 years, with three gardens, a lake - the new Marina Barrage reservoir - an integrated resort and a business and financial centre.

The largest garden will be next to the integrated resort at Marina South. The size of the current Botanic Gardens at 50ha, it will be ready by 2010. There will be a 30ha waterfront garden at Marina East and a 10ha beachfront garden at Marina Centre.

They will be linked by bridges, forming a waterfront loop 'so that you can walk, jog, or even run a marathon around the Bay', said Mr Lee. Other changes include the extension of One Fullerton to Collyer Quay, the redevelopment of Clifford Pier, and the new business and financial centre.

'We will have a Garden City by the Bay,' said Mr Lee, using a Chinese phrase - 'you shan, you shui' - meaning 'got mountains, got water'. He added: 'Very good fengshui!'

Over at Orchard Road, plans are brewing to make it 'one of the great streets of the world, a place to see and be seen'. The vacant site over Orchard MRT station will be transformed into a focal point with event space and an observation tower in a building up to 40 storeys high. A few MRT stops away, the Bras Basah and Bugis area is being revived as a student and artists' enclave.

As for HDB estates - in which more than 80 per cent of Singaporeans reside - more will be rejuvenated, the way Toa Payoh has been transformed, Mr Lee promised. Singapore's second-oldest housing estate now has modern 40-storey flats with 'million-dollar views', a new town centre, and new offices. Other towns that will follow in the upgrading plan include Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and Clementi, said Mr Lee.

This is all part of the vision of a city that is 'a sparkling jewel, a home for all of us to be proud of, a home that belongs to all of us'.

Industry players approved. Said architect John Ting: 'It's a very comprehensive vision, starting with the important base - the HDB estates where the people live.

'The transformations on the Marina Bay are connected with the civic district and the shopping areas. All the pieces are being pulled together into an all-embracing vision.'

http://img31.photobucket.com/albums/v94/huaiwei/pr04-09_Page_4a.jpg

when the consturction work is finished and everythfing singapore will even have better skyline.

New Marina Bay developments to include landscaped open spaces

3 Oct 05

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

By Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia


SINGAPORE : New developments in the Marina Bay area will have to include landscaped open spaces.

Speaking to delegates at an international conference on waterfront development, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said this was to complement Singapore's Garden City image.

When the F1 powerboats roared into Marina Bay last month, they stirred up the water and the crowd.

Mr Mah said the bay area needed more such events to create a sense of place and attract people as well as well-designed buildings and landscaped open spaces.

He said: "Green spaces need not be at the ground level only but can also be designed vertically within buildings. We will be studying guidelines to require new buildings in the Central and Bayfront areas at Marina Bay to develop landscaped open spaces in their developments."

Attractive waterfronts are a hit with tourists, which is why many countries are developing these areas.

For many cities, this involves revitalising old or former industrial neighbourhoods but that's not the case in Singapore.

The reclaimed Marina Bay is providing a blank canvas to planners to develop as a place to live, work and play.

Richard Rosan, President, Urban Land Institute, said: "Certainly older waterfronts in other countries cannot do all three, maybe they can do one or two but here you could do all of them and you could do it in a very nice way."

Work on Marina Bay has begun but it will be five years before the city's waterfront gets its new skyline.

First phase of Marina Bay's business site to occupy 224,000 sqm

25 Oct 05

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/phppKq6nz.jpg

SINGAPORE : The first phase of the Business and Financial Centre, or BFC, will have a gross floor area of 244,000 square metres, more than double the area stipulated in the tender conditions.

This was announced on Tuesday at the signing of the building agreement.

The BFC will be developed by a consortium comprising Keppel Land, Cheung Kong and Hong Kong Land.

About three quarters of the development under phase one will be dedicated to office use.

The remaining is earmarked mainly for residential development.

The consortium comprising Keppel Land, Cheung Kong and Hong Kong Land has big plans for the new Business and Financial Centre.

It is earmarking 244,000 square metres of space for the first phase, more than double the minimum requirement of 100,000 square metres.

About three quarters will be dedicated to office use.

Keppel Land says it reflects their bullish outlook of the office sector.

Said Kevin Wong, managing director of Keppel Land, "We look at the market and we assess the demand and we feel with the amount of offices we intend to build, it would put us in a very good position to satisfy the anticipated demand for, especially, the offices. And of course we will be doing some residential also."

The remaining space under phase one will be developed for residential use, with a small area set aside for retail.

About a quarter of the first phase, or 55,000 square metres, will be set aside for residential development.

Analysts say the success of the The Sail @ Marina project will likely have a spillover effect on this upcoming development, expected for launch in the middle of next year.

Some commercial space will be ready around the time of the expected completion of the integrated resort at Marina Bay.

Said Mr Wong, "We should be starting construction sometime next year. If your next question is when it will be completed, we should be able to complete the first building by 2009 or 2010."

The consortium has taken up an eight-year option to purchase and develop the remaining 194,000 square metres of space in the BFC. - CNA /ct

WOW! Awesome!

so, as mentioned as first phase?, How many buildings there will be?

Yes it will be the first phase to be developed. No idea how many buildings as I dont have any confirmed renderings or more info.

All I can manage is this 'concept drawing', supposedly by KPF as revealed by local papers:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/php6Q0IC7.jpg

I expect more news within the next few months on this project though :)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHIT !!!! :eek:

haha :D

that was my initial impression too...but this design isnt confirmed yet...so lets wait! :happy:

Yes it will be the first phase to be developed. No idea how many buildings as I dont have any confirmed renderings or more info.

All I can manage is this 'concept drawing', supposedly by KPF as revealed by local papers:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/php6Q0IC7.jpg

I expect more news within the next few months on this project though :)

i notice the pattern is green Glasses and all glassy skyscraper

Can't wait!!!!!

BFC
Sail
Integrated Resort
:banana:

the pics are really nice & the projects that Singapore plan

I'm proud to be half Singaporean :-)

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Singapore's BFC project attracts Arab money

Thursday • October 27, 2005

ONE day after the consortium that won the bid for the Business and Financial Centre (BFC) increased the size of its development for the first phase of the project, an Arab investment bank has come knocking.

Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House has begun talks to join the consortium developing the $1.8 billion Marina Bay BFC, said its chief operating officer Peter Panayiotou yesterday.

Mr Panayiotou told Dow Jones Newswires that the group was keen to invest in the project.

In addition, the investment bank may apply for an Islamic banking licence in Singapore and it has discussed this possibility with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, he said.

"We would be interested in joining that consortium with a view to buying the whole development later on. At this stage, we are conducting negotiations," he said.

Mr Panayiotou said his company had held initial talks with Keppel Land, a member of the consortium that also includes Cheung Kong Holdings and Hongkong Land Holdings.

On Tuesday, the consortium said it would develop a larger-than-expected 244,000 square metres of space in Phase One of the BFC project, a move that signalled growing confidence in Singapore's property market.

The BFC, slated for completion in around 18 years, will have a total gross floor area of 438,000 square metres, equivalent to about 20 per cent of the available office space in Singapore's central business district.

The first commercial buildings is due for completion around 2009 or 2010. The consortium may use up to 40 per cent of the available space for hotels, malls and residential developments.

Gulf Finance House — which manages US$3 billion ($5.1 billion) in assets — launched the Bahrain Financial Harbour in 2002, a US$1.3 billion project to lure financial services institutions away from Dubai and Qatar.

Gulf Finance's interest in Singapore also underscores how Middle Eastern investors, boosted by windfall petrodollars from higher oil prices, are eyeing South-east Asian infrastructure projects.

In its latest annual report, the Bahrain investment bank noted a trend among Arab investors to diversify away from United States assets.

"The reality today is the Middle East is very liquid — the level of liquidity will surprise many," said Mr Panayiotou.

However, there is a limit to how much investment the region's economies can absorb, therefore interest has grown in other markets.

"There is great appetite to find alternative channels of investment. The Arabs are traditionally interested in hard assets like infrastructure. That is something that they like, they understand and want to invest in," Mr Panayiotou said. — Agencies

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oct 26, 2005
Size of new Marina Bay business complex to be increased
Developers' decision reflects upbeat outlook on prime office space

By Fiona Chan

SINGAPORE'S new Business and Financial Centre (BFC) at Marina Bay got a major vote of confidence yesterday when the developing consortium announced that its $1 billion centrepiece office and residential complex would be much bigger than expected.

Reflecting an upbeat outlook for the high-end office market, the consortium will construct a 244,000 sq m complex for phase one - about 2.5 times the minimum development size of 100,000 sq m required by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Hongkong Land, one of the consortium's three developers, had previously said the first phase of development on the 99-year leasehold plot would cover about 158,000 sq m, 50 per cent more than the URA's minimum requirement.

But the consortium, which also includes Keppel Land and Cheung Kong Holdings, is now confident Singapore's property market, especially the office sector, will welcome a bigger development.

It said yesterday that about 180,000 sq m of the Marina Bay development will be devoted to offices in a bid to take advantage of rising demand for top-end commercial space.

This is more than 70 per cent of the development's total gross floor area (GFA), higher than the minimum 60 per cent office space guideline laid down by the URA.

Although the entire BFC site is slightly smaller than the 490,000 sq m Suntec City, the new development will offer more office space. Suntec City currently has about 113,850 sq m of offices and 77,631 sq m of retail space.

About 22 per cent of the BFC complex, or 55,000 sq m, will be taken up by residential units, with the remaining 9,000 sq m going to retail use.

'We looked at the market and assessed the demand and we feel that the amount of offices we intend to build would put us in a very good position to satisfy the anticipated demand, especially for offices,' Keppel Land's managing director, Mr Kevin Wong, said yesterday.

He said construction of the project would begin next year along with the launch of the first residential units, while the first buildings would be completed in 2009 or 2010.

He was speaking to reporters after signing the building agreement with URA to purchase the first phase of the BFC, which makes up more than half the total GFA of the 438,000 sq m BFC site.

The first phase of 244,000 sq m will cost the consortium - which is also developing the neighbouring One Raffles Quay - slightly more than $1 billion, based on the winning bid of $4,101 per sq m.

'We're very pleased with the performance of One Raffles Quay and that's partly why we've expanded phase one of the BFC,' said Mr Ian Hawksworth, executive director of Hongkong Land.

'The office market is particularly strong at the moment and the average rentals are continuing upwards.'

One Raffles Quay, which will offer about 122,000 sq m of prime office space upon completion next year, has already leased out more than half its floor space.

Market-watchers told The Straits Times yesterday that they were 'unsurprised' by the consortium's decision to enlarge the development.

'We're inclined to think there will be considerable pent-up demand for quality office space such as will be brought on line at the BFC,' said Mr Moray Armstrong, executive director of property consultancy CB Richard Ellis.

'There's quite a shortfall of new office construction over the four-year horizon, and this market will require the volume of space the consortium has committed to bring on.'

The larger development also indicates the consortium's confidence in the up-and-coming Marina Bay area and is 'a vote of confidence for Singapore', said Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan, who was guest of honour at the signing ceremony.

fiochan@sph.com.sg

Creating a buzz

Keppel Land, Hongkong Land and Cheung Kong Holdings each hold an equal stake in the consortium that won the tender for the Business and Financial Centre (BFC) site on July 14.

The BFC consortium is required only to develop 100,000 sq m of the project by 2013, but it can take up to 18 years to complete the rest of the development.

The consortium also purchased the option to buy and develop the remaining 194,000 sq m of the BFC site within the next eight years.

Other developments taking shape in the new Marina Bayfront area include One Raffles Quay and The Sail @ Marina Bay condominium, which are expected to be completed by next year and 2009 respectively.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Flower power to spice up Marina Bay

21 Jan 06

Govt launches int'l design competition for proposed Gardens by the Bay

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

THE government's vision of Singapore as the world's premier tropical garden city looks to be in full bloom with the launch of the Gardens by the Bay international design competition yesterday.

Organised by the National Parks Board and sponsored by the government, it aims to attract top local and international landscaping architects and planners to create three unique and world-class gardens in the Marina Bay area. The gardens will be situated by the waterfront on prime reclaimed land.

The competition will be divided into two phases. The first phase, the masterplan competition, will start this month and end in September. This stage will invite companies to submit designs and ideas for the three gardens and several adjacent areas. The details of the second phase, the design competition, will be announced later.

Boasting a combined land area of 94 hectares, almost twice the size of the Botanic Gardens' 52 hectares, the Gardens by the Bay will feature the world's first cooled conservatory for public display in the Tropics, said Tan Wee Kiat, chief executive officer of the National Parks Board.

The three gardens - Garden at Marina South, Garden at Marina East and Garden at Marina Centre - will be connected by waterways. Each garden will have its own distinctive look and feel. Visitors can expect a different experience depending on whether they visit during the day or night, said Dr Tan.

Speaking at the launch yesterday, Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, said: 'The Garden at Marina South is envisaged to showcase tropical blooms and foliage colour at their best. At its heart will be a conservatory that features flowering plants from cooler climates.'

Dr Tan added: 'Gardens by the Bay is dedicated to Singaporeans as their own space where they can participate in meaningful and memorable activities.'

When Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, then Prime Minister, launched the First Tree Planting Day back in 1963, the seeds of transforming Singapore into a garden city were sown.

Moving on from creating a garden city to a 'city in the garden', the National Parks Board's ultimate goal is to create a garden that will rival other world-renowned parks such as New York's Central Park and London's Kew Gardens.

The present Botanic Gardens will concentrate on education, research and conservation, while the new gardens focus on horticultural recreation. And in conjunction with the ongoing process of transforming Singapore into a vibrant global city, the inaugural Singapore Garden Festival will be held in December.

'Singapore's location just over one degree north of the Equator imbues it with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. At the crossroads of East and West, it is a rich blend of many cultures and an international centre of commerce. These geographical, ecological, historical, and cultural ingredients, located within a developed infrastructure, offer unparalleled possibilities for a new horticultural icon at the Gardens by the Bay,' Mr Mah said.

The Gardens by the Bay are expected to be open to the public by 2009 or 2010.


http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-01-21/BT_3389266_21_01_2006.jpg

About the height limit restriction in Singapore... It's not being caused by Changi, it's some other airport that I'm unfamiliar with. Here's a pic off Google Earth:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/KaiTak/Singapore.gif

You can see Changi off to the far right, downtown in the lower left corner, and in the middle is the mystery airport prohibiting tall skyscrapers! Anyone have a name for this airport, and why it continues to exist? :)

Looks interesting.

About the height limit restriction in Singapore... It's not being caused by Changi, it's some other airport that I'm unfamiliar with. Here's a pic off Google Earth:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/KaiTak/Singapore.gif

You can see Changi off to the far right, downtown in the lower left corner, and in the middle is the mystery airport prohibiting tall skyscrapers! Anyone have a name for this airport, and why it continues to exist? :)

Its the Paya Lebar Airbase. Its for the country's defence.

^^

Paya Lebar Airbase was the former international airport that was in existence until 1981. As can be seen, the runway is long enough for jumbo jets (comparable to Changi).

go go goo.. singapore :)

Paya Lebar Airbase was the former international airport that was in existence until 1981. As can be seen, the runway is long enough for jumbo jets (comparable to Changi).
Ahhh okay then. ;)

There's a runway built on reclaimed land even farther to the right than Changi, I was under the impression that was an airbase too. How about closing down Paya Lebar and moving things here?

That sucks Singapore has a height restriction when they could easily close that place down. :)

Ahhh okay then. ;)

There's a runway built on reclaimed land even farther to the right than Changi, I was under the impression that was an airbase too. How about closing down Paya Lebar and moving things here?

That sucks Singapore has a height restriction when they could easily close that place down. :)

Yes that is a new airbase at Changi...it also provides expansion for Changi Airport in future if necessary.

but I dont know if Paya Lebar airbase will be closed though :cheers:

anyway here's some interesting info....

after seeing what's planned to be built on top of the ground, theres a lot of stuff being planned underground too....

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7541/dscn06201cq.jpg

wow........
they plan ahead very fast.............

Yes that is a new airbase at Changi...it also provides expansion for Changi Airport in future if necessary.

but I dont know if Paya Lebar airbase will be closed though :cheers:

anyway here's some interesting info....

after seeing what's planned to be built on top of the ground, theres a lot of stuff being planned underground too....

Unless the govt suddenly springs a surprise on us (like when they suddenly decided that they needed a casino to draw in tourists), I don't see them moving Paya Lebar airbase away. Perhaps they really need the base to be there for strategic defense reasons. We never know what the defence ministry is thinking.

I like the new downtown. Everything is new and perfectly designed and green, located around the bay and the best of all, its connected to the existing CBD well, and with such great infrastructure. If only they extended such new initiatives being developed in the new downtown to the rest of Singapore.

Yeah sorry about getting off subject with the airport talk. I have an unhealthy obsession with airports. :D

This project is a really sweet set up, a signature area of town. I'll have to visit someday, along with Hong Kong [again] once they build that WKCD. :cheers:

:eek: Awesome. Thanks for all the info, guys. Singapore sure knows how to plan urban centers, these are amazing.

S'pore scours the world for park ideas

9 Feb 06

Famous Japanese designers show interest in revamp of waterfront

By Kwan Weng Kin
JAPAN CORRESPONDENT

TOKYO - SINGAPORE has launched an intensive search for ideas and partners to help plan and design three new downtown parks on its waterfront, with three teams of officials now visiting well-known design companies around the world, including Japan.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-02-09/ST_3488586_01_01_0001.jpg

To promote the international competition for the Gardens by the Bay project, National Parks chief executive Dr Tan Wee Kiat gave presentations to five Japanese design companies in Tokyo and Osaka over the past three days.

He said he hoped to find the talent capable of creating world-class tropical gardens 'that can capture the essence of Singapore in the future' and can rival the world's finest parks, such as New York's Central Park and London's Kew Gardens.

Besides Dr Tan, NParks' chief operating officer, Mr Leong Chee Chiew, is heading a team that is looking up design companies in New York, Boston and London. Some members of this team will also go to Sydney.

A third team led by director for parks development, Mr Yeo Meng Tong, is visiting Munich, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Paris and Madrid.

Japan's involvement in Singapore's greening programme goes back a few decades, with Japanese gardening and urban designers visiting Singapore in the 1980s and 1990s to help bring the Garden City concept to life.

Given their unqualified success, it is only natural that Dr Tan should look to Japan as a source of creative talent in the Republic's latest quest to create three stunning new parks.

'I am particularly keen to see some of the Japanese firms short-listed because they have such a finely-honed sense of aesthetic. They have an appreciation for nature and its use in enhancing the environment for man,' Dr Tan said.

Without disclosing the names of the firms, he added: 'They are all very passionate in their work, as reflected in the body of work that they have done. I am very gratified to see that they were all very immediately engaged with the idea of what Singapore is trying to do.'

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-02-09/ST_3489047_09_02_2006.jpg

Seeing that one of the planned parks is a narrow promenade, one Japanese designer has suggested expanding the 'footprint' and integrating the garden with adjacent urban areas.

Japan's pantheon of world-class architects and landscape designers includes such luminaries as Mr Kisho Kurokawa, and the avant-garde team of Ms Kazuyo Sejima and Mr Ryue Nishizawa of the Tokyo-based partnership SANAA.

Mr Kurokawa was responsible for the Fusionpolis and Republic Plaza projects in Singapore.

Ms Sejima and Mr Nishizawa, rated the most original and influential of a new generation of Japanese practitioners, designed the new state-of-the-art building for the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, due to open next year.

Another Japanese architect, Mr Yoshio Taniguchi, was behind the redesigned Museum of Modern Art, also in New York.

Dr Tan, who relinquishes his post this month but will continue as director for the Gardens project, also encouraged Singapore companies to take part by aligning themselves with bigger companies if they have not done projects of equivalent size.

He said Singapore companies can impart an advantage to their foreign partners because they know Singapore, thereby 'shortening the learning curve'.

At least two of the five Japanese companies Dr Tan visited are known to have already sounded out their counterparts in Singapore on the competition.

The first phase calls for the submission of a master plan to provide design strategies and the designs of key features for the three parks.

Interested parties have until Feb 28 to express their desire to participate.

They will need to show a good track record in projects of a similar scale and will be expected to field a team of designers that includes at least one urban planner, a landscape architect and a horticulturist or botanist.

Dr Tan was excited to discover three of the companies he visited had Singaporean staff. Their bilingualism is believed to be valuable to their employers when pursuing projects in China.

'I hope eventually these people will go back to Singapore because we will need them. It is good that they are getting experience in excellent firms,' said Dr Tan, who left Tokyo yesterday to visit design companies in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Singapore confident of solid bids for Gardens by the Bay project

16 Feb 06

http://www.marina-bay.sg/images/map/garden.jpg

LONDON : A team from Singapore's National Parks Board has just completed a whirlwind tour of major cities in Asia, Europe and the US.

They were on a hunt for ideas and partners to help plan and design three new downtown parks near the waterfront.

The team says it is confident of receiving some serious and imaginative bids for Singapore's Gardens by the Bay project.

The plans for the Marina Bay Gardens have created excitement not only in Singapore, but as far away as Madrid, San Francisco, Tokyo, Munich and other major cities in Europe, the US, and even Australia.

That is because teams from the National Parks Board are on a roadshow to publicise the design competition, which will see the creation of three distinct parks.

It has been a hectic time for the team, which arrived in London fresh from meetings with architects and landscapers in New York and Boston.

But it has been very worthwhile, according to National Parks Board CEO Lawrence Leong.

He said, "We are seeing places or cities that have a tradition of gardens, that have a culture of gardening. And from the expressions of enthusiasm that we have been able to receive, we should be able to close the expression of interest by the end of this month with very, very solid bids."

Dr Leong says NParks has already done a great deal of research, visiting conservatories, gardens and parks around the world.

In particular, he says a visit to the Eden Project in Cornwall was very useful.

The two large conservatories, constructed in 2000, house plants including those found in the tropics, as part of a research and educational facility.

Dr Leong hopes the sort of expertise on display at the Eden project, as well the heritage of Europe's formal parks and gardens, will be incorporated into the design plans of those competing from Britain and Europe.

Those landscapers will also have experience with plants from a very different climate to that found in Singapore.

Dr Leong said, "That is precisely why we want to do a two hectare conservatory so that we can have spring under glass where one would be surprised to see tulips growing in Singapore as well. So yes, it will bring the best of East and West together."

At this stage, the identity of companies who have met with the teams from Singapore is being kept confidential, although Dr Leong says many are talking to one another to assemble the best bid for the competition.

Expressions of interest will close at the end of this month; until then, the teams will continue travelling around the globe to ensure the world's best designers are aware of this unique opportunity.

Iconic bridge for Marina Bay

6 Mar 06

http://www.ura.gov.sg/New_Bridge/images/innovative_pic.jpg http://www.ura.gov.sg/New_Bridge/images/innovative_pic2.jpg

http://www.ura.gov.sg/New_Bridge/images/memorable_crossing_experience_pic.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/New_Bridge/images/embracing_the_bay_pic.jpg


MARINA Bay will have a pedestrian bridge with special viewing platforms that offer a panoramic view of the bay by 2009.

The curved structure of twisting steel and glass slopes upwards like a giant ramp. It will have two opposite spiralling structures which resemble the structure of DNA, the basic building block of life.

The bridge will be the latest addition to the city's future skyline and will be linked to a new one for vehicles.

The entire structure will link up future attractions like the integrated resort, a giant observation wheel, and three waterfront gardens.

Unveiling the new bridge design in Parliament on Monday, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said: 'It will be more than a bridge...There will be artworks that would be integrated into the design to provide a unique crossing experience.

'The completion of this iconic bridge will complete the loop around the bay area and promises to be another unique attraction.'

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-03-05/bridge1.jpg

Wow!!! Iconic bridge is absolutely modern and impressive. Good for Singapore's tourism.

Wow.....so nice.....:eek:

I also heard on the news that URA is amending the lighting of skyscrapers.....expect more lights on UOB.....:D

woah... :eek:

wonder who's the architect

Wow.....so nice.....:eek:

I also heard on the news that URA is amending the lighting of skyscrapers.....expect more lights on UOB.....:D

I dont think UOB needs to change its lighting scheme, but it could stay lighted up more often, and more buildings can be lighted up too!

This is great news...

@redstone...architect is Philip Cox

Singapore's downtown Marina Bay gets another boost with the partial completion of an underground state-of-the-art infrastructure.

16 Jun 06

This includes the $81m phase one of the Common Services Tunnel - only the second of its kind in Asia after Japan - as well as a District Cooling Plant which will help businesses cut cost in the long run.

Like an intricate network of arteries, the common services tunnel feeds important sustenance, like water and electricity, to future developments at Marina Bay.

Some 1.4 kilometres of the tunnel have been completed.

The tunnel will serve the upcoming business and financial centre as well as properties like The Sail and One Raffles Quay.

The system will house telecom cables, power lines, potable water and Newater pipes as well as provision for pneumatic refuse collection pipes.

Touring the facility, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said that such infrastructure has helped in the sales of sites in the area.

He said: "It also gives us more flexibility. We can add, we can shift. Unlike many other places, when you start to add services, you have to dig up the roads; it creates mess and confusion, a lot of traffic jams. For this, you can just put it in, put it around, expand without creating any problems for road users. The other one is the cost savings. I think they are quite substantial and energy saving is one of the major objectives of the District Cooling Plant."

When completed, both phases one and two of the tunnel network will free up some 5,466 square metres of land - equivalent to two-thirds of a football field - valued at about S$200 million.

Mr Mah added that this concept could be expanded to other parts of Singapore, likely for commercial developments, if there is a match between demand and supply.

The common services tunnel is as wide as two MRT tunnels and about 20 metres underground at its deepest point.

The URA says that it is designed for optimum capacity and new cables and pipes can be added when they are needed.

The tunnel looks empty now but come next year, two huge district cooling pipes will be installed there.

The pipes will supply chilled water from the district cooling plant to new buildings at Marina Bay to be used for air-conditioning.

Singapore's first large-scale District Cooling Plant (costing some $110 million) will be located at the basement of One Raffles Quay, with another planned for the future integrated resort.

When fully operational, the District Cooling Plant will be able to serve 1.25 million square metres of gross floor area or about 8 to 9 times the size of One Raffles Quay.

With this new cooling system, buildings will not need to have separate chiller plants or cooling towers, freeing up space for alternative uses.

Tey Peng Kee, managing director of Singapore District Cooling, said: "There'll be economic saving which we can share with the building users, and for that, we anticipate that building owners, over time, will enjoy at least 15% savings in the economic cost of getting the chill water for their air-conditioning purpose."

Construction of the 1.6-kilometre phase two of the tunnel network has begun and it should be ready in 2009.

The project will cost $137 million and it will serve the Bayfront area including The Marina Bay Sands.

The government is injecting about $2 billion to build the infrastructural base for Marina Bay, to be rolled out in phases over the next 10 to 15 years.

The infrastructure will include the Common Services Tunnel and District Cooling System, the Marina Barrage, a rapid transit system and the new waterfront promenade and bridge.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/pr06-40a.gif

This is a big step. It is a massive development and a great one at that. Singapore is really doing well at the moment.

Its going to get prettier too :)

Creating a multi-sensory environment at Marina Bay

By Goh Kim Chai

URA and National Parks Board have drawn up a Landscape Master Plan to give each district in Marina Bay a different look and feel, with different planting schemes to bring out its distinctive character and identity.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline06/skyline06-03/images/p4_image.jpg
Each district in Marina Bay will have its own colour scheme
under the Landscape Master Plan


IMAGINE WORKING IN a modern city decorated with lush greenery, flowering plants and beautiful landscapes. As you go to work every morning, a canopy of graceful raintrees on the East Coast expressway greets you. When you enter the city, you are further welcomed by formal boulevards with trees of different shapes and forms, and shrubs of vibrant colours. Approaching from Raffles Place, a view of the Integrated Resort is revealed across the glittering bay waters in the morning sun. Next, you travel pass a large linear park carpeted with blossoming flowers and its fragrance envelops you. Upon turning right at Bayfront Avenue, the type of trees and street planting changes to palms. This can well be your daily experience if your workplace or home is at the future Marina Bay.

Distinctive districts
Under the Landscape Master Plan for Marina Bay, trees and shrubs of various shapes and sizes as well as colours and fragrances will be planted along key roads and open spaces to create a sense of place and orientation.

Colours by the Bay
Each district will have its own colour scheme to enhance the visual senses. The Central subzone next to the existing Central Business District will have a yellow/gold theme to reflect the future financial activities there. Yellow raintrees and yellow flowering plants will be a regular feature in this district which will have mostly office and residential developments.

The district where the current Marina Bay MRT Station is located will adopt a different colour theme. Pink flowering trees such as the Frangipani and Pink Poui will be planted here to add to the vibrancy of the place. A formal public plaza about 3.2 ha in size, has been planned as a focal point for this area. This can be a vantage point to experience a flowering festival of blossoms.

Green, a colour that represents ‘harmony’, will distinguish the Bayfront area from the rest of Marina Bay. Palms of various forms will be planted here, extending the botanical planting scheme of the future Garden at Marina South to the district and the waterfront promenade around Marina Bay. This district, which houses the Integrated Resort, will have a more coastal feel.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline06/skyline06-03/images/p5_image.jpg
Different trees, different looks. From left: rain tree, pink poui and palm

Fragrance along the streets
The Landscape Master Plan for Marina Bay goes beyond providing greenery and shades to further enliven your senses. Fragrant plants and flowers will be used to enhance the identity and feel of each district.

From the stunning fragrance of the Wild Water Plum to the pleasant Plumeria rubra cultivar, flowering plants will be used to layer each district with different scents. These plants will heighten the outdoor experience by engaging the most powerful of our senses – the sense of smell.

Multi-level visual experience
What you see as you walk along the street will be different from the view you have as you drive on the road. Similarly, these views will be different from the view you get of the same street from a tall building. In coming up with the landscaping schemes, much effort has been put into providing different spatial experiences for users at different levels. At the city level, the way in which the trees are planted and the colour of the crowns will give the area a unique recognisable image. At the vehicular and pedestrian level, the form of the crown as well as the colour and texture of the foliage will provide a delightful visual and sensory experience.

Former feel for boulevards
Large and wide-canopied trees will line the main boulevards such as the Marina Boulevard and Central Boulevard to create a distinctively formal feel. The Sepetir, which has a dome shaped crown capable of achieving spreads of up to 12 metres and heights of up to 30 metres, will be a regular feature on these roads. The walkways along these roads are also wider to create a sense of space and provide for street-based activities such as ‘al fresco dining’ and kiosks.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline06/skyline06-03/images/p6_image.jpg
Artist’s impression of Marina and Central Boulevards

Signature streets
Bayfront Avenue will be a signature street lined with columnar-shaped trees such as the Jelutong and Chengal Pasir. The trees have been chosen to enhance the street’s north-south orientation and allow more sunlight to filter down to the street level. To create a ‘reddish carpet effect’, Pseuderanthemum Pink shrubs will be planted at this level. Side streets off Bayfront Avenue will be planted with palms.

Iconic gateway
To make driving in Marina Bay a memorable experience, the signature wide-canopied raintrees along the East Coast Parkway will be extended along Sheares Avenue. They will be complemented by brightly coloured flowering shrubs, such as Crinum spp. and Hippeastrum spp marking the gateway into Marina Bay.

When completed, a multicoloured, multi-sensory environment will be created at Marina Bay. It will reinforce its sense of place and further enhance its image as a “City-in-a-Garden”.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline06/skyline06-03/images/p6_image2.jpg

i like the new MRT plans for the new downtown. should help link all the CDB into one seamless network.

More random shots of activity (there are specific threads for some of the projects) :

Taken on 19/5/06

The Central & Bayfront subzones:

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6224/ndt19058vf.jpg

Works for the underground utilities (Phase 2)

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/1686/ndt1905b7cq.jpg

Taken on 8/7/06

Construction of seating gallery for future floating platform - where events and water-based activities will be hosted on the bay

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/platform0807.jpg

Taken on 8/7/06

Construction of seating gallery for future floating platform - where events and water-based activities will be hosted on the bay

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/platform0807.jpg

Hey Raf, so this is the floating platform project that was mentioned many months back? The one where they say it's gonna hold future National Day Parades? Great! The project is materialising after all! ive come across this construction site b4 and always wondered what exactly it was.

Hmm, but the seating gallery seems kindda small isn't it? And not sure if Marina Bay is big enough to accomodate a football field-sized floating platform.

ok

but i still would never visit singapore

Hey Raf, so this is the floating platform project that was mentioned many months back? The one where they say it's gonna hold future National Day Parades? Great! The project is materialising after all! ive come across this construction site b4 and always wondered what exactly it was.

Hmm, but the seating gallery seems kindda small isn't it? And not sure if Marina Bay is big enough to accomodate a football field-sized floating platform.

yes this is the one indeed.

The seating gallery is definitely smaller than the National Stadium simply because its not meant to be a replacement for the stadium. It will only hold the parades until the new one is built.

Well in the rendering below you can get a rough idea of the size of the floating platform :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/mbrender2.jpg

^^ :OMG: Singapore Eye?

no, the singapore flyer ...

Three sites at Marina Bay for sale

27 Jul 06

By Bernice Bong, Straits Times Interactive

http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20060727/ln-wakeboardingt.jpg

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will put up for sale the promontory site in front of the Business and Financial Centre in the Marina Bay.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan announced the URA's plan on Thursday when he revealed investment opportunities in the Bay at the Singapore Institute of Architects' 45th annual dinner.

Mr Mah said the site is 'intended for a low-rise, iconic structure for use as a public attraction' such as a gallery or aquarium.

He also said that another site next to the new Garden at Marina South would be sold.

'This site is ideal for a boutique hotel set within extensive lush greenery.'

Mr Mah disclosed the URA and the Singapore Tourism Board are studying a site at the southern coast of Marina South for an international passenger terminal.

He said the URA is working with relevant agencies to seek investors' feedback and garner interesting business concepts and ideas.

'We will also identify other sites in the Marina Bay area for office and housing development and release them over time to meed demand.'

http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/STI/STIMEDIA/sp/PLAN/PLAN.jpg

Details for water-based activities

The minister also said the URA wanted to bring more activity and vibrancy to the Greater Marina Bay, comprising Marina Bay, Marina Channel, Kallang Basin/Kallang River and the Singapore River.

The Bay will host the inaugural International Pink Dragon Boat Council World Championships in September.

It will also be the place for high-speed sporting events such as jet-ski, wakeboarding and water-ski championships. A 2.5 km long power-sporting circuit has been earmarked for these races.

At the Kallang Basin, a 35 hectare zone of water has been earmarked for non-motorised sports such as canoeing and dragon boating. Nearby, a 5 ha zone at the Kallang River will be used for motorised water sports.

Over at the Marina Channel, there will be a new 1 km race course for dragon boat, canoeing and rowing competitions, in a 30 ha water sports zone.

Mr Mah added that to enhance the accessibility to and in the Bay, water taxi services will be extended with 13 new stops to the various attractions and water bodies.

exciting

cant wait for the design of the promontory site in front of the Business and Financial Centre in the Marina Bay

As a HKer, I really enjoy what's happening in Singapore,
we are similar while we are competitors,
sincerely wish every success and brilliance in the Marina Bay and same brightness in our West Kowloon.

Marina Bay is really cool. I know a Singaporean girl who works for Las Vegas Sands and was involved in the bid for the Marina Bay "integrated resort" (but why didn't they just call it a casino? :dunno: ).

It's slightly strange that all of this land, in such a prime location right next to the CBD, was not developed before. Why is that? What was the land used for before?

Marina Bay is really cool. I know a Singaporean girl who works for Las Vegas Sands and was involved in the bid for the Marina Bay "integrated resort" (but why didn't they just call it a casino? :dunno: ).

1. They called it an integrated resort because the gaming or casino component only makes up a small percentage of the resort.

2. And for a country known for its rules, it certainly doesn't want to be associated with the bad image of gambling and casinos.

It's slightly strange that all of this land, in such a prime location right next to the CBD, was not developed before. Why is that? What was the land used for before?

1. The land was reclaimed from the sea only a decade or two ago, so it has seen little developments (an under-utilised subway station, some roads and low rise buildings) in order to allow for the reclaimed land to settle before high rise developments are built on it.

2. By the time the land was absolutely right for development, land prices fell as the recession struck. The government slowed down/stopped the sale of land parcels for development.

But since now the economy's doing really fine and the land's settled enough already, its a really boom time for this HUGE PIECE OF LAND.

@Monkey....informally, most people refer to it as a casino...although calling it an "Integrated Resort" sounds like a typically bureaucratic term to package it....that said both the future resorts have to provide more than just gaming components :yes:

more details of the next 3 parcels:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/mb3sites.jpg

1. The land was reclaimed from the sea only a decade or two ago, so it has seen little developments (an under-utilised subway station, some roads and low rise buildings) in order to allow for the reclaimed land to settle before high rise developments are built on it.

2. By the time the land was absolutely right for development, land prices fell as the recession struck. The government slowed down/stopped the sale of land parcels for development.

But since now the economy's doing really fine and the land's settled enough already, its a really boom time for this HUGE PIECE OF LAND.

True...but in any case, the land reclaimed at Marina Centre was the first to be utilised, and built upon from the 80s:

1982:

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980006806-8262-3202-1349/img0041.jpg

Marina Centre:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/nitez4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/mbdarksky.jpg

view from one of the hotels at Marina Centre (by encon):

http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/774/pagipanos1lg.jpg


a large part of Marina East is set aside as a golf course and future park space:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/SB5.jpg

Singapore will be changed a lot when those project completed

^^ yes :D

and I can't wait for those project to be completed

@Raffles and Ignoramus
Thanks for the replies. I will be back in Singapore soon.... :okay:

Update of The Sail by Rafflescity:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/sail0807.jpg

BFC developer to market first Marina South apartments soon

Consultants say sale could set new benchmark price

3 Aug 06


(SINGAPORE) The first residential development at Marina South will go on sale soon, making it possible to actually 'live, work and play' there.


The development's general manager David Martin said yesterday sales of units will start in the fourth quarter of this year. Sizes will range from one-bedroom to penthouses, with a range in between.

The sizes and mix of units will be disclosed later, Mr Martin said. 'We are continuing to monitor the market while we finalise the specifications of the apartments.' And as for price: 'Clearly, this will depend to some extent on the final offering.'

The site for the Business & Financial Centre at Marina Bay (BFC) was bought in July 2005 by a consortium comprising Cheung Kong Holdings, Hongkong Land and Keppel Land.

The BFC is envisioned as the financial centre of Singapore's new downtown but will have a substantial residential component, estimated to be about a third of the total gross floor area.

The BFC will be built in phases, and in the first phase there will be two office towers and a 428-unit high-end residential block 55-storeys high.

Using the current resale prices for nearby The Sail @ Marina Bay by City Developments Ltd (CDL), the average price for BFC's residential units could be around $1,500 psf, although its developers are likely to want to add a premium because of proximity to the upcoming Marina Bay Sands integrated resort.

Mr Martin said there has been plenty of interest. 'The level of enquiry received to date reflects strong demand from international retail buyers and investors who want to share in the expected strong rental and capital appreciation of this development.'

Other developments in the downtown area include The Lumiere by BS Capital on the site of the former HMC Building, The Clift at the Natwest Centre site by Far East Organization and the redeveloped No 1 Shenton Way by CDL.

At BFC, the units will either face Marina Bay or the Singapore Straits.

Savills Singapore head of research Wallace Chu said the BFC units could set a new benchmark price.

On whether the inclusion of one-bedroom units is any indication of the target market, Mr Chu said The Sail also has small units and sold well.

The BFC's owners could also be looking to break the record for most expensive leasehold condominium. So far, Draycott 8 by Wing Tai Holdings is said to be the most expensive at around $1,800 psf.

On price expectations by the BFC owners, a property consultant told BT a new benchmark could be set. 'It depends on how fast you want to sell the units. If you set it too high, you will take a longer time to sell the units.' He also noted that being a 'mixed development', the BFC may not appeal to all buyers.

some information on the upcoming Gardens by the Bay project.


A green spot close to our hearts

10 Aug 06

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/phpdj6EAD.jpg

SINGAPORE: You might never have guessed it - but there could be a tree-hugger in every Singaporean.

In a National Day survey conducted by Today, the upcoming Garden City by the Bay - incorporating three gardens that make up the National Parks Board's (NParks) Gardens by the Bay project, water sports, a reservoir and a giant Ferris wheel - was rated as the project Singaporeans were most excited about.

It even ranked ahead of the likes of the multi-billion dollar Integrated Resorts, the Sports Hub and the plan to make Orchard Road pedestrian friendly.

Asked for his response to the survey, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan said: "The Gardens will be for all Singaporeans to own, to enjoy, and to share with our family and friends. I am delighted by the positive feedback from the public. It shows that Singaporeans appreciate and have developed a bond with our parks and gardens and our greenery."

Other than giving each Singaporean shared ownership of a 94-ha prime property, the Gardens by the Bay is also meant to project Singapore as a truly global city in a global garden.

Last week, an international jury of 11 reviewed submissions from eight world-class bidders - selected from an initial pool of 70 interested entrants - depicting their vision of the Garden at Marina South, Garden at Marina East and Garden at Marina Centre.

A winner will be announced in September, and the masterplan will then be the canvas upon which another competition of detailed designs will be held.

The three distinctly themed yet interconnected waterfront gardens will form the Gardens by the Bay, with phase one due for completion between 2009 and 2010.

According to Dr Tan Wee Kiat, NParks advisor and former chief executive, the final list of participants comprise internationally-renowned firms from the UK, US, Japan, Australia and Singapore.

Explained Dr Tan: "A key mission of the Gardens is to project the image of a modern Singapore to the world, to express to the rest of the world why Singapore is a contender as a global city."

The best team for the job will be the one best representing the context of the Gardens - such as Singapore's uniqueness as one of the largest cities on the equator, its position on the confluence of trade routes, and its role as a tropical garden with global ambitions.

Indeed, a cool conservatory showcasing plants from temperate climates will be part of the 54-ha garden in the heart of Marina South. It will also be home to the Singapore Garden Festival - which will be held for the first time this December - and other horticultural events.

Said Dr Tan: "Beyond transforming Singapore from a Garden City into a City in a Garden, we are also developing software that is needed to sustain our City in a Garden by involving the participation of the living communities in Singapore and nurturing a culture of gardening. One way to do this is to showcase examples of tropical gardens in this part of the world."

To be held at Suntec City Convention Centre in the ten days before Christmas, the exhibition will be on a scale equivalent to some of the established festivals in temperate cities, such as the famous Chelsea Flower Show.

Other than being Singapore's inaugural Garden Festival, it will also be the first show to bring together the best garden designers from around the world to create gardens and compete for top honours.

"This show will allow our locals to build up their expertise, confidence and provides a chance to practise their art," said Dr Tan.

NParks plans to make the Singapore Garden Festival a biennial show. Tickets are already available at Sistic outlets starting from $6.

By Tor Ching Li, TODAY

business and financial centre renderings by charging bull.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4342/bfcxi1.jpg[/

^^wow such an amazing developement.

wonderful proyect

wow that's cool

Great project.

construction activity is set to increase

$25m to reduce jams and dust in Marina building zone


31 Aug 06

Internal road system, barge terminals for ferrying of debris and construction materials

THE Government is spending $25 million to minimise the traffic and environmental impact of Singapore's biggest concentration of construction works - in Marina Bay.
Between next year and 2012, mega projects like the integrated resort, the Business and Financial Centre and the downtown MRT extension will come up there.

An internal road system will be built to provide direct access to the East Coast Parkway and enhance connectivity within the building zone. The network is seven lane- km long in total.

Two barge terminals will also be constructed by the sea - one to transport dumped materials such as earth and debris to a landfill to be determined by the Maritime and Port Authority, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The other terminal will receive construction materials from the west and east of Singapore.

These facilities are the efforts of a task force initiated by the LTA. It comprises members from various government agencies, including the Urban Redevelopment Autho- rity and the National Environment Agency.

The measures are necessary because up to 21 million tonnes of construction materials and exca- vated earth are expected to be transported to and from the site over the next three years.

Mr Chuai Chip Tiong, deputy chairman of the Inter-Agency Task Force, estimates that up to 5,000 truck trips could be made per day if the barge terminals were not provided.

'If nothing is done, we will expect a very high volume and frequency of trucks laden with construction material, travelling into and out of the Marina Bay area,' he said. 'These could bring about adverse traffic and environmental impact on public roads, especially in the city area.'

With the measures, only a fraction of the anticipated truck traffic will go on public roads. The builders will also need far fewer trucks, since the barge terminals are nearby and turnaround time is shortened.

The task force expects the internal road system to be completed by next March. Come 2012, part of this network will form permanent roads in the new downtown.

Meanwhile, before the downtown MRT extension is built, the LTA will construct a $6.4 million Common Utility Trench to house utilities that are currently in the path of the new MRT line.


By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/marinanetwork.JPG

Two international designers picked to develop master plan for Gardens by the Bay

6 Sep 06

By Amy Yeong

Two international landscape design teams have been named joint winners of an international master plan competition to conceptualise and create the master plan for Gardens by the Bay, which is set to be the crown jewel of Singapore's Garden City.

The winning entries are for Marina East and Marina South Gardens. No winner was chosen for the Garden at Marina Centre as NParks will be seeking public feedback on this.

The competition, organised by the National Parks Board and launched in January, attracted over 70 entries from 170 firms from 24 countries. Of these, eight were shortlisted and they presented their submissions to an 11-member international jury.

http://www.asia1.com.sg/a1news/pics/20060906_bay1.jpg
Winning design by Grant Associates, a landscape architecture consultancy based in Bath, England

The team that created the winning design for the Garden at Marina South is Grant Associates, a landscape architecture consultancy based in Bath, England. Grant Associates' recent projects include the Chongqing Botanical Garden in China and the New Islington Millennium Village in Manchester. It collaborated with several other design companies such as Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Atelier One, Atelier Ten, Land Design Studios and Meinhardt Infrastructure on the winning design.

Grant Associates' design philosophy for the Gardens sees the Marina South Garden as an "intelligent" space, which will have "Edutainment Gardens" as well as event spaces, show gardens and a conservatory.

The judges say Grant Associate's design "captures the essence of a Garden in a downtown setting - the experience of colour and vibrancy all year round. This was achieved by the strategic location of display gardens and activity spaces, with careful consideration given to day and night programming."

The team that created the winning design for the Garden at Marina East is Gustafson Porter, an international landscape design practice based in London. Its recent projects include the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in London's Hyde Park, and the Great Glasshouse at the National Botanical Garden of Wales.

http://www.asia1.com.sg/a1news/pics/20060906_bay2.jpg
Winning design by Gustafson Porter, an international landscape design practice based in London

The judges say that Gustafson Porter's design concept for the Garden at Marina East "positioned it as a key Garden, leveraging off the attractive views it offers of the city skyline, looking across the water." The design's strength lies in "the way it addressed the site conditions, thereby bringing forth the essence of Marina Bay in a subtle and elegant manner."

Both winning teams also collaborated with Davis Langdon & Seah Singapore, which provided cost and management services.

Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, said the Gardens by the Bay would "exemplify the Garden in our Garden City", by adding colour and vibrancy through flowers and coloured foliage.

"It will showcase the best of tropical horticulture and floral displays. It will be a central park for all residents and visitors alike," said the minister at the launch of the Gardens by the Bay Master Plan exhibition at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and the official opening of the redeveloped Tanglin Core this morning.

He said that the judges were impressed with how the designers pushed the envelope of design, while taking into account the climate, culture and context of Singapore.

"They strived to come up with something iconic and innovative, and at the same time ensuring that their designs would blend in well with the surrounding developments at Marina Bay," added Mr Mah.

On the two winning designs, he said both teams had very unique design concepts that encompassed aesthetic elements that were "implementable and flexible."

"Grant Associates' strength showed in their design for the garden at Marina South, while Gustafson Porter excelled in their design for Marina East," he added.

But the Minister emphasised that the designs were not the final blueprints, and both teams would continue to work with NParks to develop the details of the designs.

Members of the public can view an exhibition of the winning designs and scale models at the Function Hall in the new Botany Centre, Tanglin Core, at the Singapore Botanic Gardens from now to Sept 24, from 7am to 8pm daily. The winning designs can also be viewed on the Gardens by the Bay website ( http://www.gardensbythebay.org.sg).

The exibition also serves to canvas feedback from the public, and their ideas and views would be taken into account in the detailed design stage.

another great development worth waitin for.............

^^

more details...the new gardens will themselves become a Singapore attraction by themselves :)

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

^^Looks nice.

yup here is a larger rendering of one of the features within the Marina South portion of the park.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/gbtb2.jpg

You can visit this website for more details on the Gardens:

http://www.gardensbythebay.org.sg

^^ :eek2:

amazing :drool:

too good to be true :okay:!

That is really cool. It reminds me a little of Parc Guell in Barcelona, only with a very modern and definitely Singapore feel.

amazing :drool:

too good to be true :okay:!

Well...I cant wait for the renderings to be put into reality in a few years time :)

Somebody should make a trip down to the Botanic Gardens to take pics of the masterplan models and exhibits :cool:

oh they display it in Botanic Garden??

Ya me to this will be great for singapore

this is the sort of development singapore needs to compete for tourism dollars coming to the Asian region. it will an exciting time for singapore. this will bring competition to nearby destinations like Hong Kong which they have Disneyland, Genting in Malaysia and Bangkok.

I think Genting in Malaysia will be feeling the heat, hence they will have to offer new development to become competitive and attract tourism dollars. There have been rumours that Shanghai might be getting a disneyland to better compete with all these asian destinations with strong economic development and projects.

oh they display it in Botanic Garden??

yup :yes:

at the Function Hall in the new Botany Centre, Tanglin Core, at the Singapore Botanic Gardens from now to Sept 24, from 7am to 8pm daily.

^^ thanks :D

Future urban density simulations and the 3 future gardens (to be ready around 2010).

light brown = existing areas
purple = immediate future extension (developments will encircle the bay)
white = long-term extension

SCROLL --->

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

Masterplan model for the gardens:

1.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/gb1.jpg

2.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/gb2.jpg

3.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/gb3.jpg

4.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/gb4.jpg

Looks exciting......:yes:

yeah but singapore is so small that a "Distance" isn't even that far. the airport is about 12 miles away from the city centeer. 12 miles wont even get you from LA to pasadena.


The entire island of Singapore is the same size as the San Fernando Valley.

Another reason why there probably will not be a supertall in Singapore is that it's in an earthquake-prone area. The faults and volcanoes of Indonesia are not very far away. The Banda Acheh quake of December 2004 caused the skycrapers in Singapore to sway.
The Marina Bay area is a reclamation zone, right? Probably dangerous because of the threat of liquefaction.

Nah, it's not that bad, I have never felt the shake before. And besides, if Taipei can do it, anything is possible:D

The problem is actually not Changi Aiport, but Paya Leber airbase(Millitary Airbase), which is much closer.

@Elsongs

If that was indeed the case, then you probably wouldnt see the Petronas supertalls in KL either, nor the supertall proposals of Jakarta.

It is also not unheard of to have supertalls built on reclaimed land.

The main determinant of height in Singapore are aviation restrictions.

There are 5 airports/airbases on this tiny island.

18 November 2006

An overview of the area. All that green is reclaimed land.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/ttpano6.jpg

Great shot! I can see the old concrete wharf beside Conference Hall

Well wat Elsongs said is true in the engineering point of view tho. Taipei 101 is using 2 big giant ball as the damper to the earthquake. But maybe Singapore is not yet ready as the normal concrete grade used is still very low unlike Japan.

Well wat Elsongs said is true in the engineering point of view tho. Taipei 101 is using 2 big giant ball as the damper to the earthquake. But maybe Singapore is not yet ready as the normal concrete grade used is still very low unlike Japan.

Actually unlike Japan, Singapore is blessed to be not sitting on a fault line. Thats why Japan cannot build supertall although they are so advanced. :yes:

As already mentioned, building heights here are determined by aviation requirements for military & civilian aircraft.

Singapore has drawn up a masterplan to enhance its city centre through lighting. There will be 4 distinct zones:

Get ready to see the city in a new light


22 Nov 06

SINGAPORE may soon get a special glow about it at night.
If all goes according to a plan already on the table, lights will show off Singapore's lush greenery to best advantage after sundown.

Bodies of water will be lit from below the surface, and the undersides of bridges will be festooned with lights.

There's more.

Taking a leaf from the original City of Light - Paris - walkways will be lit subtly to evoke the magic of being out at night, while Central Business District (CBD) streets will be cast in a blue-white glow to cool down this tropical island's ambience.

For those who prefer to be hit between the eyes with light instead of a soft glow, the Bras Basah-Bugis area is the place to be - it has been earmarked as a round-the-clock entertainment zone emblazoned with creative neon signs and advertising panels.

All in, four downtown areas have been identified for light-ups - each to project its own look and feel solely through lighting design.

The four areas identified by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) are the Orchard Road belt, the Bras Basah and Bugis area, the CBD and Marina Bay, and the Singapore River.

A Japanese lighting expert has been hired, and he has identified some of Singapore's features which can be enhanced through lights.

The expert, Mr Kaoru Mende of Lighting Planners Associates, is behind the idea to change the CBD's streetlights to bluish-white ones.

He also recommended playing up the Garden City's greenery and its bodies of water, and said the Bras Basah-Bugis area was the best place to show Singapore's cultural vibrancy through lights.

The URA, meanwhile, is reviewing advertisement guidelines for the area to encourage more creative use of signs and media panels.

Proposals aside, one light-up idea has already been confirmed for the Orchard Road strip by year's end.

Traffic at the Orchard and Bideford road junction in front of the Paragon shopping mall will be halted at fixed times nightly, when lights will flash and dance there.

In those precious few minutes, pedestrians will be free to make their way across that junction in any direction they please.

Views from the public on these proposals will also be canvassed. The ideas are showcased in an exhibition at the URA Centre which was opened last night by Minister of State (National Development) Grace Fu.

The exhibition will be open every day, except Sundays, until Feb 28.

URA's acting head of urban design, Ms Yap Lay Bee, said the exhibition aimed to show the public the immense potential of lighting to create a signature skyline.

The URA also hopes to drum up the private sector's interest in the effort, she added.

As an incentive to light up, businesses can apply for government funds that were set up earlier this year.

Those in the Orchard Road area can tap into the $40 million mall-enhancement fund; those in the CBD will have access to $10 million. The URA will also nudge government agencies into lighting up public areas.

By Lim Wei Chean


http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20061121/ST_IMAGES_NDWCLIGHT-O4Ct.jpg

http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20061121/ST_IMAGES_NDWCLIGHTt.jpg

Orchard Road belt

By year's end, lights will flash and dance at fixed times nightly at the Orchard and Bideford road junction in front of the Paragon shopping mall.


Central Business District and Marina Bay

Streets will be cast in a blue-white glow.


Bras Basah and Bugis area

Earmarked as a round-the-clock entertainment zone emblazoned with creative neon signs and advertising panels.


Singapore River

Proposed jelly-fish lights in the river will add more colour and charm to the otherwise quiet stretch opposite Boat Quay.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/lightingplan/images/cbd_12.jpg

For more information on the other zones, visit this site:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/lightingplan/

The gardens and the new lighting plans for the city look spectacular, and a very welcome change to the city.

However... I just feel like this whole marina bay development makes everything feel a bit claustrophobic. I liked the idea of being able to look out into the straits from suntec city etc, but with these new buildings, there will be a definite 'closing in' of the entire city. Right now it feels open with so much flat reclaimed land sitting out there, once its built upon, it will dramatically change Singapore forever. I wish they had thought of another way, one which keeps the existing CBDs open and not so shut off.

The gardens and the new lighting plans for the city look spectacular, and a very welcome change to the city.

However... I just feel like this whole marina bay development makes everything feel a bit clostrophobic. I liked the idea of being able to look out into the straits from suntec city etc, but with these new buildings, there will be a definite 'closing in' of the entire city. Right now it feels open with so much flat reclaimed land sitting out there, once its built upon, it will dramatically change Singapore forever. I wish they had thought of another way, one which keeps the existing CBDs open and not so shut off.

The layout of buildings in the new downtown is unlikely to create a claustrophobic feel, as urban design requirements will ensure sufficiently wide roads and open plazas, as well as greenery provisions on the ground and encouragement of skygardens in buildings.

The new park is quite substantial, and expansive sea, park and bay views will be a feature of the CBD, not surprisingly, there is likely to be a high demand for residential apartments and hotels in the new downtown:

Lounging on the skypark of Marina Bay Sands
http://www.msafdie.com/images/1171
http://www.msafdie.com/images/1169

Singapore's skyline will change dramatically, and will utilise the reclaimed land, as growth elsewhere is constrained by the existing port and conservation areas like Chinatown (as seen in this pano by aloyteo):

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5950/chinatownhdbviewpanosmallku7.jpg

More so than ever, the new downtown will showcase Singapore as a premier waterfront metropolis of tropical character.

Marina Bay Financial Centre Apartment reports:

The apartment model in Lianhe Zaobao (12/12/06):
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2404/dscf1114dx7.jpg

How it looks with the rest of the skyline (also from zaobao 12/12/06):
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9456/dscf1113jm8.jpg

The historical Clifford Pier will be restored and integrated into a new luxury waterfront hotel.

Sino Land bags Collyer Quay site for $166m

19 Dec 06

FEO's sister firm aims to integrate plot with its One Fullerton site and Fullerton Hotel

http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-12-19/BT_5343116_18_12_2006.jpg

A HOTLY contested site at Collyer Quay has been awarded to Hong Kong's Sino Land, the sister company of Singapore property giant Far East Organization (FEO).
Sino Land, controlled by the family of property magnate Ng Teng Fong, turned in the two highest bids out of three shortlisted offers.

Its winning tender, which topped the shortlist at $165.8 million, is anchored by a luxury boutique hotel featuring about 120 rooms with 'full sea views' that will take up almost half the floor area of the landmark plot.

The rest of the site, comprising Clifford Pier and the former Customs Harbour Branch Building, will also be transformed into a 'hip and trendy Fisherman's Wharf', said Sino Land executive director Daryl Ng yesterday.

The project's entire development cost is expected to be about $150 million, he added.

Clinching the Collyer Quay site will enable Sino Land to consolidate its hold over the waterfront area, as the plot is right next to Sino Land's commercial and retail development One Fullerton and is across the road from the group's The Fullerton Hotel.

In fact, the possibility of an integrated waterfront development was what led Sino Land to put in its bullish 60-year tenders for the 2.67ha plot, said Mr Ng.

'Because we already own the waterfront of One Fullerton and The Fullerton Hotel, we believe that with this site we can provide an even better integrated and attractive waterfront,' he told The Straits Times by telephone from Hong Kong.

'We hope to create a holistic approach to our design so that tourists can walk along the water from the Merlion Park all the way past One Fullerton and our Collyer Quay site, then on to the Business and Financial Centre and Marina Bay integrated resort - a whole waterfront walkway that should be very pleasant.'

Sino Land's vision for the site is a 'prestigious world-class landmark' and vibrant tourist destination for Singapore, added Mr Ng.

'We want to turn this into a must-visit destination, so we're trying to create new and innovative waterfront leisure uses for Singaporeans and overseas tourists,' he said.

Some unique features include a floating public plaza and discotheque within the water space near One Fullerton, as well as six floating 'pods' to be used as function rooms, shops or restaurants.

The discotheque will be connected to the adjacent waterfront promenade and deck via an illuminated floating glass walkway and a retractable bridge, while the pods - set to be the first of their kind in the world - will be connected by floating decks.

A maritime gallery showcasing the history of the Collyer Quay area will be set up in the former Customs Harbour Branch Building.

Sino Land also plans to work with the Singapore Tourism Board to use the site for domestic events such as the Singapore Arts Festival, said Mr Ng.

He also threw light on Sino Land's reason for submitting two bids for the site: They were the result of two 'equally good but very different' concepts proposed by two separate architecture firms.

Since Sino Land could not decide which design was better, it turned in both concepts - a prudent move because the Urban Redevelopment Authority had used a two-envelope tender system for the site. Bids were first evaluated based on concept, and only the approved ones would move on to compete on price.

The winning proposal was designed by local firm DP Architects and submitted by Precious Treasure, a Singapore-based unit of Sino Land's The Fullerton Hotel.

Sino Land outbid two other other shortlisted candidates: a $161.8 million submission by Precious Land, another Sino Land unit, and a $108.3 million bid by Hong Kong's Park Hotel Group.

Five other parties tabled tenders, including tycoon Kwek Leng Beng's City Developments and Hong Kong's Carlton group.

http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20061219/ST5342918534291801_01_0001.jpg

By Fiona Chan

Clifford Pier redevelopment:

http://www.sino-land.com/eng/photolib/000132/000132_04.jpg

http://www.sino-land.com/eng/photolib/000132/000132_03.jpg

http://www.sino-land.com/eng/photolib/000132/000132_02.jpg

Great Singapore,
Definitely you will take over the role of Taipei, Bangkok and Tokyo in terms of weekend leisure tourism in east asia.

The plans in Marina Bay and the reform in Sentosa are really charmming.

Masterplan model for the gardens:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/gb2.jpg



Just thought I'd point out that the three fan shaped buildings in that model are huge greenhouses / biomes (think Eden Project for scale perhaps) and are being designed by Wilkinson Eyre, who designed the Gateshead Millenium Bridge. There are some renders of it on their website under "News" for September. :)

^^

yes they are indeed lovely and I can't wait to see the actual design. This will be a true tropical city park. The design was chosen after an international competition :)

New office site coming up at Marina Bay

22 Dec 06

Decision hailed amid space crunch in Grade A office space

(SINGAPORE) A new development site at Marina Bay has been activated - and more sites could be on their way.

http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-12-22/BT_5358527_22_12_2006.jpg

In a move that is widely seen as a reaction to the space crunch in the Grade A office sector, the Ministry of National Development yesterday said it would put a site at Shenton Way/Central Boulevard on the confirmed list of the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme for the first half of 2007, potentially activating a whole corridor of new sites at Marina Bay.

And in the light of the tight supply of new Grade A office space, most analysts welcome the move.

DTZ Debenham Tie Leung executive director Ong Choon Fah says she was not surprised that the site - a white site with primarily office space - had been put on the confirmed list and expects more sites in the future. 'You need that momentum to keep (the market) going,' she said.

She did, however, caution that the release of sites there had to be 'measured'. 'The plot ratio there is high, so the quantum of space is also high,' she added.

With the prime office sector buoyant, due primarily to a lack of new supply, there is concern that there may not be sufficient new demand for more prime office space.

Savills Singapore marketing and business development director Ku Swee Yong, however, sees the Marina Bay site sparking a lot of interest from investors and developers, especially because little has been said by the owners about the prospect of Phase Two of the Business Financial Centre.

Savills projects the Shenton Way/Central Boulevard site could go for as much as $1,200 per square foot (psf) per plot ratio (ppr) or over 200 per cent more than the $381 psf ppr for the Business and Financial Centre at Marina Bay in 2005.

Indeed, the burgeoning demand in the office sector appears to have been particularly targeted in the H1 2007 GLS programme with new sites at Shenton Way, Outram Road and Anson Road added.

Whether the geographical spread of these sites was planned to shift focus away from the CBD is hard to say but interest is also expected to be high.

For the Outram Road/Eu Tong Seng site, Savills expects prices to hit $700 psf ppr, while for Tampines Grande at Tampines Regional Centre, prices could be between $500 and $600 psf ppr.

CBRE Research executive director Li Hiaw Ho recalls that there was only one commercial site for office development six months ago. For H1 2007, Mr Li estimates that the three sites on the confirmed list - Beach Road/Middle Road, Shenton Way/Central Boulevard, Tampines Grande - could yield a possible combined gross floor area (GFA) of up to 2.4 million square feet.

The Beach Road/Middle Road site, which includes the former NCO Club, was slated for launch on the confirmed list this month but will now be released in March 2007 as Urban Redevelopment Authority needs more time to work out the details for a two-envelope tender. The impact of all this space coming on stream in the future could, of course, dampen rental rates in areas like Raffles Place.

Chesterton International head of research and consultancy Colin Tan believes that the release of office sites could indicate that planners are concerned about Grade A office rents rising too high. 'The priority appears to be to keep Singapore competitive.'

Mr Tan also notes that demand could be exacerbated by tenants 'hoarding' existing space even though they have leased newer premises because of the fear that office space will simply not be available in the future.

Overall, analysts have reacted positively to the new sites on the GLS programme.

DBS Vickers analyst Wallace Chu lauds the 'variety' in the choice of sites. For instance, Mr Chu highlighted that Tampines Grande recognises that businesses will increasingly want to relocate backroom operations to sub-regional centres to keep operating costs down.

'The government will want to push certain areas but I don't see problems in absorbing these sites,' he added.

Other prime sites that will be targeted by developers include a residential site in the city on Handy Road and a suburban site near Ang Mo Kio MRT Station on Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8. Savills estimates prices to reach $800 psf ppr and $350 psf ppr respectively.

CBRE's Mr Li said: 'Going by the depleting stock of 99-year leasehold sites that are held by developers, and a gradual shift in buyers' focus to non-prime residential projects, we expect to see more activity in GLS programme in 2007.'


By ARTHUR SIM

Exciting city. This is one of the places I want to go for a vacation...
I love the three buildings connected by 1 rooftop. I think we are close in
the city that looks more like the cities in star wars. :)

This mini-panorama by hyacinthus shows the bay...on the cusp of intensive development :)

The view? From the Fullerton Hotel

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7098/3tz3.jpg

10 February 2007

Progress of the seating gallery & floating platform:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/platform1002.jpg

View of Marina Bay

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/baypano1002.jpg

21 Jul 05

http://www.ura.gov.sg/lad/bfc/images/bfc-main1.jpg


http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline05/skyline05-03/text/images/pg6.jpg

:eek:, singapur will look wonderful, already it's one of my favourite skylines in the world!

Shows on floating stage to create buzz at Marina Bay

5 Mar 07

AS NIGHT falls, a light, water and sound show illuminates the city skyline at Marina Bay.
Not far away, audiences sit enthralled by live theatre and musical performances on a floating stage, coined the 'Aqua Shell'.

These are projects being considered to enliven the Marina Bay area at night, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said on Saturday.

He was responding to Mr Zainudin Nordin (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) who asked for an update on the developments and plans in Marina Bay to inject a night-time buzz to the city area.

Marina Bay, with Orchard Road, the Singapore River and the Bras Basah and Bugis areas, will be the focus of a multi-agency committee that is looking at ways to improve the range and quality of evening activities, Mr Mah said.

The committee is chaired by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which will also get a consultancy study done on the show and floating stage.

Mr Mah also disclosed plans for the next phase of Marina Bay's development. They will cover three areas.

One is south of Marina Bay, which will frame a new 54ha garden due to be built by 2010.

Another is along the waterfront, and the third is adjacent to Shenton Way.

Known as the Central sub-zone, this area will continue the 'seamless growth' of the existing Central Business District, the minister said.

Current developments at Marina Bay are on track, with significant buildings being developed and infrastructure put in place, he added.

They include the integrated resort, the business financial centre, a new double-helix bridge and a waterfront promenade.

'These key developments over the next five years will transform the place into a distinctive business, residential and recreational area,' Mr Mah said.


By GOH CHIN LIAN

Truly awesome... I can't wait to revisit in a few years when it has been completed.. :drool:

Construction of New Bridge at Marina Bay Begins

30 Mar 07

The construction of the new landmark bridge at Marina Bay began today with a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan. The bridge is a significant infrastructure planned and put in place by the government to support the successful development of Marina Bay. This new vehicular and pedestrian bridge will link the Bayfront to Marina Centre, and complete a 3.5km walking route around the bay.

Designed by an international design consortium comprising Australian architects Cox Group and engineers Arup Pte Ltd, with Singapore-based Architects 61, the 280-metre pedestrian linkway - the longest in Singapore - will sport a world’s first ‘double-helix’ structure. Its resemblance to the structure of DNA, the basic building block of life, symbolises “life and continuity”, “renewal”, “everlasting abundance” and “growth”, reflecting our aspirations for Marina Bay.

Sato Kogyo (S) Pte Ltd clinchéd the tender to construct the vehicular and pedestrian bridge at a total cost of S$82.9 million. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be the project manager for this bridge construction and also maintain the bridge upon completion in end 2009. LTA has experience and track record in building bridges, flyovers and viaducts in Singapore, such as the Esplanade Bridge, the Jurong Pier Flyover and the West Coast Highway.

The start of construction of the new bridge at Marina Bay is a significant development milestone towards realising Marina Bay’s vision as a 24/7 live, work, and play environment that integrates residential use, business centres and entertainment facilities. The bridge will link up major attractions around the bay including the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, and future ones like the Marina Bay Integrated Resort, Singapore Flyer, heritage developments at Collyer Quay and Gardens by the Bay.


The bridge is part of the government’s $2 billion investment to build the infrastructure base for the area, which includes the Common Services Tunnel, the Marina Barrage, the Downtown Extension and a new waterfront promenade.

Visitors can look forward to a unique and memorable crossing experience. Visitors can catch a panoramic view of the city skyline and watch events happening within the Bay from viewing platforms located at strategic spots along the bridge. At the northern end of the bridge, people can look forward to a fun-filled experience at Singapore’s first Art Park. It will feature the creative works of Singapore youths, selected during an Art Competition last year. The completion of the landmark bridge at Marina Bay and Art Park in 2009 will add to the exciting developments in Marina Bay. It will complete the loop of attractions around the Bay area, and be another unique attraction in Singapore.


Full article here:
http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2007/pr07-30.html

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2007-03-31/BT_5950391_31_03_2007.jpg

I wonder what is the square thingy(in one of the renderings) they are goin to build on the central promontory site?

I wonder what is the square thingy(in one of the renderings) they are goin to build on the central promontory site?

The development programme for that site has not been announced yet, but I expect it to be soon, since it will be one of the waterfront sites. It will be a place for "civic and community" usage.


Race for downtown office space

21 Apr 07

Unprecedented squeeze forces global firms to look ahead to buildings that are not even built yet

A NEW space race is up and running, and it is happening in downtown Singapore, with global firms signing ever bigger deals to lock in office real estate in the face of an unprecedented squeeze.
And it is not just buildings under construction, like the Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC), but ones that are still little more than glints in developers' eyes.

It is all a far cry from a few years ago, when rents were tumbling.

The shoe is on the other foot now, with rents for prime space - if any can be found - going through the roof.

Grade A office rents - the most coveted space in prime areas - rose nearly 23 per cent in the first quarter to $11.80 per sq ft (psf), according to data from Jones Lang LaSalle.

Indeed, rents are rising so fast there are concerns they could eventually affect costs to the point that firms limit their expansion here, said a market watcher.

It is also forcing major financial institutions to book ahead to reserve their spots in the limited number of buildings on the drawing board that offer the large, contiguous space they need.

Some are looking at space coming onstream in 2009 and beyond, consultants said.

'It's partly a result of Singapore's positioning itself as a financial centre and partly the result of tight supply,' said Jones Lang LaSalle's regional director, head of markets, Mr Chris Archibold.

'This will continue for the next year or so, for new buildings coming onstream in two to three years' time,' he said.

While phase one of the MBFC is not due for completion until early 2010, one third of its 1.62 million sq ft of office space has already been spoken for.

Standard Chartered Bank pulled off a coup this week by tying up 24 floors of phase one in a 12-year lease.

The supply squeeze has prompted market players and the Government to release more space, but much has already been snapped up.

The Merrill Lynch Harbourfront building, which will be ready in 2008, was fully taken up by late last year.

Other financial institutions such as Citigroup and Credit Suisse could all be looking for more space, said market watchers.

On-going redevelopment of several buildings, such as Overseas Union House, Straits Trading Building, 71 Robinson Road and the Asia Chambers Building, has added to the pressure on supply.

But that has not stopped some firms from trying to lock up space when the buildings come back onto the market after 2009.

In 2010, Harbourfront offices will provide more space while Ocean Building - if it is turned into offices - could yield 832,000 sq ft by 2011.

Rental rises will ease as supply lifts over a three- to five-year horizon, said CB Richard Ellis executive director Moray Armstrong.

Hongkong Land, part of the group developing the MBFC, has increased the amount of office space at the centre to meet increased demand.

Mr Robert Garman, its director of commercial property, South Asia, said about 3.5 million sq ft out of the 4.72 million sq ft area of the entire MBFC will be offices, he said.

Mr Garman said talks are on-going with several parties to lease a further 1 million sq ft of space in phase one. The deals are likely to be signed within a year, yet the building will not be completed until 2010.

Phase one of MBFC has two office towers and a fully-sold residential tower.


By Joyce Teo, Property Correspondent

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/marinabay2104.jpg

^ Looks exciting.....:happy:

Hmmm... i think the government should not release the sites near the barrage so fast. Should wait till really short of supply then only sell at a premium.

Also, there are no MRT connections to that area.

Maybe can also reclaim outwards even more :)

I think the sites surrounding the future Gardens will be released once the Gardens are ready - high demand for homes & hotels fronting the park and with seaview.

Eventually, MRT will serve that area. And more reclamation is planned for the future.

URA Launches Tender for Another Prime White Site at Marina Bay

30 May 07

http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/MarinaView/images%20others/distinctive-dev-645.jpg

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) launched a white site (Land Parcel A) at Marina View for sale by public tender today.

Land Parcel at Marina View

Land Parcel A is strategically located within the Marina Bay area, next to the existing Central Business District (CBD) at Raffles Place and close to other prime office developments such as One Raffles Quay (ORQ) and Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC). The location of the Land Parcel is shown in the plans at Annex A-1 and Annex A-2.

Land Parcel A offers a unique opportunity for a distinctive landmark office development in a prime downtown location. The development of this site will help to build up the critical mass of office space in the Marina Bay area and develop the area as an international business and financial hub.

With a site area of about 1.02 ha and a gross plot ratio of 13, the Land Parcel can yield a maximum permissible gross floor area (GFA) of 133,120 sq m. A minimum of 70% of the total permissible GFA is to be developed for office use. This is to meet the demand for prime office space. The remaining 30% of the GFA may be developed for additional office space or other allowable uses under the white zoning, such as hotel, residential and other commercial uses (e.g. retail and entertainment).

The site enjoys direct frontage onto a public open space linking Marina Boulevard to Straits Boulevard and has panoramic views of the city skyline and Marina Bay. It will be connected to surrounding developments at ORQ, One Marina Boulevard, MBFC and the future development at One Shenton through an extensive network of underground pedestrian walkways and second storey links.

The site will be served by the Common Services Tunnel, a comprehensive system of underground tunnels which house and distribute utility service lines, including power and telecommunication cables. The future office tenants will have access to uninterrupted supply of major utilities, emergency back-up services and the capacity for expansion to meet changing utility needs.

Land Parcel A at Marina View is one of the seven sites to be released for sale under the Confirmed List of the first half 2007 Government Land Sales Programme announced by MND on 21 December 2006. The details of the site are given in Annex A-3. More details of the site are available on URA website at http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/MarinaView/MV-intro.html.

Developments around Marina Bay

The Marina Bay area, Singapore’s downtown district, is located within the heart of the city. It comprises the existing CBD at Raffles Places, Shenton Way and Marina Centre, together with the new development area around the Bay. The district will be an international business and financial hub and is envisaged to be a dynamic, 24/7, Garden City by the Bay.

Marina Bay is shaping up well and fast. Apart from the The Sail, a luxurious condominium development, MBFC and Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort which will be completed in the next few years, the government has also recently sold the 2.67ha site at Collyer Quay to be developed into a lifestyle hub featuring a luxury boutique hotel with a good mix of retail and entertainment uses. The development at Collyer Quay site is scheduled to be completed in 2009.

Other exciting attractions that will be added to the loop of existing attractions around the bay, includes The Singapore Flyer – one of the tallest observation wheels in the world which is scheduled to be completed in 2008, 100 ha of prime land for the development of three distinctive and unique world class Gardens by the Bay and a 3.5 km long promenade and a new iconic pedestrian bridge featuring the world’s first double helix design construction.

Details on the tender of Land Parcel A at Marina View

A tender period of 16 weeks is allowed for the site. The tender will close at 12 noon on 19 September 2007. Selection of the successful tenderer will be based on the tendered land price only.

^ Is this the site where plot ratio is the highest?? :?

^^

nope, that is the plot on the top right corner of this one :yes:

Now there are a total of 2 highrise sites that the government is offering for development in the area for this year :


Choice site to sustain building pace in Bay area

15 Jun 07

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2007-06-15/BT_6443745_15_06_2007.jpg

(SINGAPORE) A trophy site just off Shenton Way will be put on the Government Land Sales (GLS) programme for second-half 2007.

The Marina View site will be the second on the GLS programme that defines a new corridor in the New Downtown, with an adjoining site launched in May.

Marina View, to be launched in July, could provide more than 900,000 square feet of commercial space. And the government wants it developed fast.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of National Development said: 'The release of the Marina View site via the confirmed list will maintain the momentum of building up Marina Bay and facilitate the seamless growth of the Central Business District into the Marina Bay area.'

While recognising the need to maintain momentum, it is interesting to note that more prime commercial sites are not on the list.

One reason could be that future demand is close to being met.

Jones Lang LaSalle regional director and head of investments Lui Seng Fatt believes that if and when all the key available commercial sites on the GLS programme are developed - about six sites including Marina View and another new site called Tampines Concourse - up to 2.5 million sq ft of office space could be in the pipeline in about three years.

'I think this supply is just right,' he said.

There is, of course, undersupply at the moment, but Mr Lui believes this can only be 'alleviated' by interim measures such as releasing unused state-owned buildings.

Savills Singapore director of marketing and business development Ku Swee Yong also believes the number of new prime sites being released is just right, saying: 'If you have too much construction in the Marina Bay and CBD area, it could be a strain on the infrastructure.'

With no fear of a flood of sites in the Marina Bay area, the Marina View site will be even more attractive to developers. Mr Ku believes amalgamating it with the adjoining site released earlier could prove to be even more profitable, as some common services could be shared. 'This type of prime site needs to be huge,' he said, adding that bids could be around $1,500 per sq ft per plot ratio.

Colliers International director for research and consultancy Tay Huey Ying also feels the current office space crunch cannot be alleviated by more land sales.

According to her, the situation is so severe that special measures may be needed to maintain Singapore's competitiveness. These could include temporary but more aggressive tax incentives or concessions to help businesses defray the rising cost of renting.



By ARTHUR SIM

is so great this project!!!

cool ... more project @ marina bay ...

hey guys from around the world,

wanted to know if your city have any thing like Singapore Marina Bay?
where there is a city or developments that encompass a water body?

Nightly show to set Marina Bay abuzz

26 Jul 07

A spectacular sound, lights and water show planned to liven up the Bay's night scene

IT IS December 2009 and night has fallen over Marina Bay.
The newly opened integrated resort is bustling while the Singapore Flyer observation wheel soars in the distance.

Against this skyline, the waterfront is abuzz with a show of sound, lights and water that rivals the dancing fountains in Las Vegas and Hong Kong's A Symphony Of Lights.

It is a nightly show the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has envisioned for the bay area and this week, it took the first step in making the vision a reality.

It is asking qualified companies and teams to indicate their interest in the project and on Tuesday, sketched the requirements for it in an online posting.

The URA's brief stated that the show should be a 'must-see'' comparable to other successful outdoor multimedia shows.

Buildings along the waterfront could be lit up, like those in Hong Kong. Bridges in the area such as the Benjamin Sheares Bridge could be included in the show.

Fountains and water jets, like those in Las Vegas, as well as lasers and fireworks may be added to achieve the 'wow' effect.

The Las Vegas fountains span a 400m-wide lake fronting Bellagio Hotel and Casino. These musical fountains spout water that dance in rhythm to such songs as Gene Kelly's Singin' In The Rain and Frank Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon.

The US$40 million (S$60 million) show lasts five to 10 minutes, and was featured in the remake of the movie Ocean's Eleven.

Although the URA has yet to specify a site for the show, it said people should be able to see it from the promenade, rooftops and sky gardens.

It would be free for the public but is estimated to cost up to $18 million to produce.

The show is one of two projects the URA believes will liven up the night scene at the bay.

The other is the floating stage built for this year's National Day Parade and earmarked for live music and theatre performances.

These attractions will embed Marina Bay 'as a lively and vibrant area in the minds and hearts of Singaporeans and visitors', the URA told The Straits Times yesterday.

'They will also contribute in creating more night-time buzz that can make Singapore an attractive 24/7 city to live, work and play in.'

The bay is Singapore's second site for a major outdoor multimedia show. Sentosa opened its $30 million Songs Of The Sea in March, billed as the world's first permanent show set in the sea. The pyrotechnics, lasers and 40m-high water jets have drawn more than 400,000 visitors.

Although the show by the bay follows what others abroad have done, Mr Robert Khoo, chief executive of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, is confident of its appeal.

'It's not easy to find something original or Singaporean. No harm in copying.

'In any case, the view and experience would be different,'' he said.


By Goh Chin Lian

cool...good that it is free.:banana:

hey guys from around the world,

wanted to know if your city have any thing like Singapore Marina Bay?
where there is a city or developments that encompass a water body?

All Gulf countries in the Middle East: Dubai, Abu Dhabi in UAE, Manama in Bahrain, Doha in Qatar, Kuwait City in Kuwait, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia

cool...good that it is free.:banana:

Even if it will cost 10 bucks, I don't think it will be a problem for you ... always considering that it is the year 2009 we are talking about. :D

URA launches tender for a second prime white site at Marina View (Land Parcel B)

31 Jul 07

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) launched a white site at Marina View (Land Parcel B) for sale by public tender today. This is the second white site to be launched at Marina View. The earlier white site at Marina View (Land Parcel A) was launched in May and the tender will close on 19 September 2007. Details of Land Parcel A are available in the press release issued on 30 May 2007.

The development on the white site at Marina View (Land Parcel B) will contribute to building up the critical mass of office space and hotel rooms in the Marina Bay area and developing the precinct as an international business and financial hub.

Land Parcel B at Marina View

Land Parcel B is strategically located within the Marina Bay area, next to the existing Central Business District (CBD) at Raffles Place and close to other prime office developments such as One Raffles Quay (ORQ) and Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC). The location of the Land Parcel is shown in the plans at Annex A-1 and Annex A-2.

Land Parcel B offers a unique opportunity for a distinctive landmark office and hotel development in a prime downtown location. With a site area of about 0.9 ha and a gross plot ratio of 13, the Land Parcel can yield a maximum permissible gross floor area (GFA) of 113,580 sq m. At least 60% of the total permissible GFA for the Land Parcel is to be developed for office use. This is to meet the demand for prime office space.

The successful tenderer for this site will also be required to allocate at least another 25% of the maximum permissible GFA for hotel use, which can yield about 550 hotel rooms. This is to contribute to the supply of hotel rooms to meet the expected increase in demand arising from the Singapore Tourism Board’s target of attracting 17 million visitors by 2015.

Apart from the required minimum quantum for office and hotel uses, the remaining GFA (up to 15% of the maximum permissible GFA) may be developed for additional office, hotel or other permitted uses, such as residential and other commercial uses (e.g. retail and entertainment).

The site enjoys direct frontage onto a public open space linking Marina Boulevard to Straits Boulevard and has panoramic views of the city skyline and Marina Bay. It will be connected to surrounding developments ORQ, One Marina Boulevard, MBFC and the future developments at One Shenton and Land Parcel A (currently on tender) through an extensive network of covered walkways, underground pedestrian walkways and second storey links.

The site will be served by the Common Services Tunnel, a comprehensive system of underground tunnels which house and distribute utility service lines, including power and telecommunication cables. The future office tenants will have access to uninterrupted supply of major utilities, emergency back-up services and the capacity for expansion to meet changing utility needs.

Land Parcel B at Marina View is one of the sites to be sold via the Confirmed List under the second half 2007 Government Land Sales Programme announced by MND on 14 June 2007. The details of the site are given in Annex A-3. More details of the site are available on URA website at http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/MarinaViewLPB/MV-intro.html.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/MarinaViewLPB/images%20others/locationplan-645.jpg

http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/MarinaViewLPB/images%20others/intro(L).jpg

Even if it will cost 10 bucks, I don't think it will be a problem for you ... always considering that it is the year 2009 we are talking about. :D

shit....today i passed thru the site....still nothing rising yet:ohno:

but every inch was filled with cranes and other building materials....
grrrrr...they have to work harder.

shit....today i passed thru the site....still nothing rising yet:ohno:

but every inch was filled with cranes and other building materials....
grrrrr...they have to work harder.

the foundations must be strong for a grand structure!
be patient!

KSH Holdings wins contract to build luxury Clifford Pier hotel

SINGAPORE : Construction firm KSH Holdings has won a contract to build the luxury Clifford Pier hotel.

The contract, worth S$126 million, was awarded by Hong Kong firm Precious Quay, a unit of Sino Land.

Late last year, Sino Land put in the top bid of S$166 million for a hotly-contested site at Collyer Quay, which will house the hotel.

Under the deal, KSH will build a six-storey hotel, comprising some 120 rooms with sea views.

KSH will also conserve the single-storey Clifford Pier and the two-storey former Customs Harbour Front building.

The project is expected to be completed in under two years.

The new contract will take KSH's existing order book to S$405 million.

Industry watchers see the possibility of Sino Land building an integrated development at the waterfront, which will be linked to its neighbouring properties One Fullerton and the Fullerton Hotel.


By Tung Shing Yi, Channel NewsAsia

13 Sep 07

Waterfront-garden living at Marina South, your views sought

HAVE a great idea of how city living should be in Marina South? Here's your chance to set a new benchmark in the residential district and win up to $50,000.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority has set aside 60 hectares of land there for a landmark residential district, strategically located between the Garden and the Straits of Singapore.

It said in a joint release with the Singapore Institute of Architects that it has 'planned 11,000 housing units and a mix of commercial, hotel and community facilities for all to enjoy'.

They are inviting the public to submit design ideas to showcase Singapore's Garden City image and the 10 best ideas submitted will be rewarded.

'The architectural ideas sought will serve as an inspiration and catalyst for the master plan to guide the development of the Marina South Residential District.'

Waterfront-Garden Living by the Bay
Marina Bay is the centrepiece of Singapore's urban transformation into a vibrant, global city. Several prime sites have already been earmarked for exciting new developments, including the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and the 100-ha Gardens By the Bay.

Ciity living with magnificent views of the waterfront or greenery is the lifestyle choice of many Singaporeans. It is in line with the Concept Plan 2001- URA's long term plan that guides Singapore's development over the next 40 to 50 years - which called for more city living options for Singaporeans.

Gardens and sea to frame new Marina South homes

14 Sep 07

60 hectares set aside for 11,000 units in latest makeover move

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2007-09-14/BT_IMAGES_GARDENS14.jpg

(SINGAPORE) A landmark residential district - with lush gardens by its side, a spectacular view of the sea and the Sands Integrated Resort a mere stone's throw away - will rise over the next few years to add further gloss to the Marina Bay area.

Some 60 hectares of land, on which 11,000 homes will be built, has been set aside for the project. The Marina South Residential District (MSRD) will also have 1.6 million sq ft set aside for hotel use, another 678,000 sq ft of commercial space and even a primary and a secondary school. There will also be community facilities for all to enjoy, the government announced yesterday.

The entire project will be developed over a 15 to 20-year period once the supporting infrastructure has been put in place, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

URA also said given the size of the area, it is likely that the land parcels will be released in phases.

The government agency is master planning the project as the next stage of development for the Marina Bay area.

Marina Bay, which is touted as the centrepiece of Singapore's urban transformation into a vibrant, global city, is already home to several upcoming prime projects - including the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and the 100-ha Gardens By the Bay.

This residential site is located between the upcoming Garden at Marina South and the Straits of Singapore. URA hopes that MSRD will offer its residents the best of both worlds - a rare opportunity to experience waterfront living together with the lush greenery provided by the garden.

'Obviously, it is a choice location - right between the garden and the sea,' said Knight Frank managing director Tan Tiong Cheng. 'The view will be even better than that from the Marina Bay integrated resort.'

Said Colliers International's director for research and consultancy Tay Huey Ying: 'The area will provide a very wholesome residential environment.'

The bid to develop MSRD is in line with the government's 2001 Concept Plan - a long term plan that guides Singapore's development over the next 40 to 50 years - which called for more city living options for Singaporeans.

Then, URA said that those who like the downtown buzz can look forward to having 90,000 more units to choose from, mostly in the New Downtown at Marina South.

Experts expect that homes in MSRD will be popular, especially with foreigners.

'It is possible that the primary and secondary schools could be foreign schools,' said Colin Tan, Chesterton International's head of research and consultancy.

However, market watchers mostly said that even when boosted by this latest news, home prices in the Marina Bay area are not likely to reach those fetched by luxury projects in the Orchard Road vicinity anytime soon.

'I don't think the development will overtake Orchard Road in terms of prices and appeal to foreigners,' said Ms Tay. Facilities catering to foreign residents, such as foreign schools and embassies, are now located in the Orchard Road vicinity, she said.

Knight Frank's Mr Tan agreed: 'At the end of the day, Marina South is a new district; it is not tested.'

In addition, concerns exist about the infrastructure in the area. For one, the road network in the Marina Bay area will have to be improved, analysts said.

Right now, URA is looking to garner new and innovative ideas to distinguish MSRD.

Together with the Singapore Institute of Architects, it is organising a competition, which will close on November 12, for design ideas for the district. A sum of $50,000 has been set aside to be awarded for up to 10 best ideas.


By UMA SHANKARI

Would be great to have a highrise seafront district like Dubai.

This residential district will be generally highrise (up to 40 or 50 floors), and it will be seafront, and have garden views. :yes:

Marina View plot draws record $2b bid

20 Sep 07

By Fiona Chan, Property Reporter
A PRIME plot in Marina View has drawn a top bid of $2.02 billion - the first time the price of state land here has crossed the $2 billion mark.
The whopping bid yesterday pipped two other close offers, which also came in at near-record levels.

Property experts say the bullish bids are a continuing vote of confidence in the property market and could serve as a shot in the arm for market activity, which has quietened somewhat in recent weeks.

'It is exactly the confidence booster that the market needs to keep it going at this point in time,' said Ms Tay Huey Ying, director of research and consultancy at Colliers International.

The $2.02 billion bid was submitted by Macquarie Global Property Advisers (MGPA), a private equity real estate fund management firm partly owned by Australia's Macquarie Bank Group.

It is almost double what property watchers predicted the 1.02ha site would fetch in May, when its tender was first launched. The 99-year leasehold plot is located behind the One Shenton and Sail @ Marina Bay condominiums.


Indeed, all the three bids that came in before the site's tender closed yesterday were 'nearer the top band of the expected range', said Mr Lui Seng Fatt, regional director and head of investments at Jones Lang LaSalle.

CapitaLand and Mapletree put in a joint bid of $1.84 billion, while Malaysia's IOI Group offered $1.6 billion.

The result of the tender, which is based solely on price, will be announced by the Government later.

Consultants said the turnout was quite good, given the site's high price and ongoing global credit uncertainty.

'In a market like this, I'm amazed that three bidders came out to offer between $1.6 billion and $2 billion,' said Mr Ku Swee Yong, director of marketing and business development at Savills Singapore. 'It's a bid that very few people can afford.'

The top bid works out to about $1,409 per sq ft (psf) of gross floor area, said Mr Li Hiaw Ho, executive director of CB Richard Ellis.

He added that the plot could provide 800,000 sq ft of net lettable office space.

A 40-storey building can be built on the site, but 70 per cent of its gross floor area must be used for offices. The rest can hold more offices, hotel rooms, homes or shops.

Experts said building homes or strata-titled office units could be a quick way for the winning bidder to recover most of its investment. Homes, for one, could fetch more than $2,500 psf, said Mr Li.

But MGPA appears to be favouring a full-office development. It said in a statement yesterday that the site 'presents a rare opportunity to deve- lop a Grade A+ office building in the prime business district of Singapore, where strong demand coupled with limited supply makes now an ideal time for high quality office development'.

MGPA has been on an active buying spree here. In March, it agreed to buy Temasek Tower from CapitaLand for $1.04 billion.

Last month, it also bought 162 units of Allgreen Properties' Cascadia condominium in Bukit Timah for a median price of $1,527 psf, sources said.

I'm just wondering if anyone of you knows who are the contractors, engineering consultants and quantity surveying consultants for the Marina Bay Development project?

Thanks in advance.

I'm just wondering if anyone of you knows who are the contractors, engineering consultants and quantity surveying consultants for the Marina Bay Development project?

Thanks in advance.

It depends on which project within the Marina Bay district you are talking about.

1. One Marina Boulevard?
2. One Raffles Quay? http://www.orq.com.sg
3. The Sail@Marina Bay? http://www.thesail.com.sg
4. Marina Bay Financial Center Phase 1 & 2? http://www.mbfc.com.sg
5. Marina Bay Sands?
6. One Shenton? http://citydev.sg/CDL/oneshenton/index.html

:)

Singapore confirmed as first night race


Close on the heels of the 2007 season's conclusion and following its meeting today at its headquarters in Paris, the FIA's World Motor Sport Council has released the calendar regarding the 2008 Formula One Championship.

Beginning in March and ending in November, the season will count 18 rounds, one more than this year.

The United States race has disappeared from the list of destinations, leaving Canada as the single North American Formula One event.

The European Grand Prix will move to its new location in Valencia where an urban track is being prepared. Spain will therefore be hosting two races starting next year.

The addition of Singapore on the F1 calendar will also mark the series' first-ever race under artificial light.

2008 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar:
AUS Australia 16 March
MAL Malaysia 23 March
BRN Bahrain 6 April
E Spain 27 April
TR Turkey 11 May
MC Monaco 25 May
CDN Canada 8 June
F France 22 June
GB Great Britain 6 July
D Germany 20 July
H Hungary 3 August
E Europe 24 August
B Belgium 7 September
I Italy 14 September
SGP Singapore* 28 September
J Japan 12 October
CN China 19 October
BR Brazil 2 November

*Night race

It depends on which project within the Marina Bay district you are talking about.

1. One Marina Boulevard?
2. One Raffles Quay? http://www.orq.com.sg
3. The Sail@Marina Bay? http://www.thesail.com.sg
4. Marina Bay Financial Center Phase 1 & 2? http://www.mbfc.com.sg
5. Marina Bay Sands?
6. One Shenton? http://citydev.sg/CDL/oneshenton/index.html

:)

Thanks for the links:)

Coming soon: Marina Coastal Expressway

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20070727/mce.jpg
The dual 5-lane expressway will be an underground east-west link between KPE, ECP, and AYE with direct connection to the Marina Bay area. -- PHOTO: LTA

THE Singapore Government has approved the building of the 5km-long Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) at the cost of S$2.5 billion.
The dual 5-lane expressway will be an underground east-west link between Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE), East Coast Parkway (ECP), and Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) with direct connection to the Marina Bay area.

'It will provide an additional high speed link to the Marina Bay area to support the development of this New Downtown comprising the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, the Sail, the Marina Bay Financial Centre, as well as other future developments,' said Transport Minister Raymond Lim who announced on Friday that the project has been given the go ahead.

The route comprises a 3.5km-long underground tunnel and 1.5km-long above-ground road structure.

About 420m of the expressway will be under the seabed at Marina Bay.

Construction of the MCE starts in 2008 and it is targeted to be completed in 2013.

The MCE will replace part of the ECP at Marina Centre, Bayfront and Central subzones, and allow for this part of the ECP and its adjoining slip roads to be realigned.

The ECP at Marina South area will be converted to a major arterial road to serve the Marina Bay area.

Mr Lim also announced that the Phase One of the KPE will be opened to traffic on 26 October.

Phase One will extend from the ECP at Fort Road to the PIE.

With the new expressway, motorists from Kallang, Geylang and the surrounding neighbourhoods will have an alternative road to the CBD.

The entire expressway will be in full operation by the end of 2008.

Mr Yam Ah Mee, Chief Executive of the Land Transport Authority expects the KPE to help ease congestion on the CTE as it will serve estates like Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol.

most expensive/km expressway in the world?

Some overviews of the serious construction boom going on there.

Not counting the 2 new towers of the Sail completing this year, there are a confirmed 11 new highrises being built by the bay (knowledge as of today):

Under construction
Marina Bay Sands resort (3 towers)
Marina Bay Financial Centre (5 towers)
One Shenton (2 towers)
OUH redevelopment (1 tower)

Coming onstream
Marina View development (potential for 2 more towers from the Australian developer that just bought the land via tender)

Infrastructure works & other projects
New MRT extension (u/c)
Common Services Tunnel for utilities (u/c)
Gardens by the Bay and Art Park (u/c)
Marina Barrage (u/c)
future Cruise Terminal (planning)
Marina Coastal Expressway (approved)
Clifford Pier conservation hotel (u/c)
Pedestrian bridge over the bay (u/c)



19 Dec 2007

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

25 Jan 2008

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/marinabay2501.jpg

most expensive/km expressway in the world?

Maybe yes, maybe not, however what should really concern you is the obvious (by the latest pics) failure of Marina Bay Sands Resort to be completed by 2009. As things are progressing, even the underground structure might not be ready by the end of 2009.

I should have raised the bar. :lol:

What about the dreaded Central Promontory RafflesCity ???

dreaded? :lol:

No news yet apart from some enthusiastic noises last year (or was it 2006)?

No doubt the news will get here very fast once it is announced. Even so, time will be needed for a design evaluation (assuming there is one), foundation works and construction. My bet is it would be ready end 2010 or more likely after 2010.

Some renderings emphasizing the MBFC. (Note the Sail has been deliberately left out in the developer's impressions).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/mbfc.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/mbfc2.jpg

Haha talk about hiding the truth

Yah hate it but what to do? At least in the last rendering it does look more realistic...

Its being unfair to the buyers who would expect it to look like what's in the render, and not being blocked by another tower.

dreaded? :lol:

No news yet apart from some enthusiastic noises last year (or was it 2006)?

No doubt the news will get here very fast once it is announced. Even so, time will be needed for a design evaluation (assuming there is one), foundation works and construction. My bet is it would be ready end 2010 or more likely after 2010.

Sir Stamford of RafflesCity I am on the 11th floor T1 so for me it certainly is the DREADED CP :ohno: Maybe I will have to dump it at a discount if the CP goes to the full 50mt permissible ht :-( and move to a slightly higher floor at a premium price :-) I have trying to do that anyway over the past few months but the daily-adjustable pricing & sellers attitude/behaviour have put me off......

Unlikely that the Central Promontory will be developed yet. However, there will be a pedestrian promenade so people can walk easily from the IR to the MBFC and Sail.

17 March 2008

New infrastructure for Marina Bay
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/flyer6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/flyer11.jpg

Marina Barrage Visitor Centre
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/barrage.jpg

Thank you Lord RafflesCity for the good news that the dreaded CP is on hold...... I can see it in the background of your beautiful snapshots tho :-(

17 March 2008

New infrastructure for Marina Bay
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/flyer6.jpg





the thing that u/c (bridge) is that the HELIX bridge the one look like DNA?

^^

yes

@Veru...it should be on hold until a very compelling design is received, maybe there will be a competition or something like what they did with the IR....


Singapore plans to double size of financial district

10 Mar 08

Singapore - Singapore plans to double the size of its financial district as part of its strategy to emerge as one of Asia's leading financial centres, the government said on Monday. The new growth area will be more than twice the size of London's Canary Wharf and provide 2.8 million square metres of office space, the equivalent of Hong Kong's main central district, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

"Singapore's strong economic fundamentals have been driving the growth of the property market, and the corresponding demand for quality office space, for the past few years," said Choy Chan Pong, the URA's land administration director.

"To continue attracting investments, we are planning ahead to ensure we have sufficient land and infrastructure to support our robust economic growth."

Singapore's economy grew by 7.7 per cent in 2007, and it is expected to continue to grow by between 4 and 6 per cent in the medium term.

"This sustained growth will continue to underpin and drive the growth of the property market and the demand for quality office spaces in the next few years," the URA or land-use agency said.

The URA will offer sites for development near the multi-billion-dollar Marina Bay convention and casino resort complex over the next five to six years to meet the expected demand.

Over 15 years, the development of the 75-hectare site earmarked for extension of the financial district will see the addition of 2.82 million square metres of office space, "equivalent to the amount of office space in Hong Kong's Central today," the URA said.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/191163.html

MGPA’s Marina View project to cost $5b

19 March 2008

Devt to have over 2.6m sq ft in two towers of more than 40 storeys each

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

MACQUARIE Global Property Advisors (MGPA) will spend about $2 billion building a commercial complex on two development sites at Marina View that it clinched last year.

With the sites having cost close to $3 billion, the total investment will be around $5 billion.

MGPA bid for the two sites at separate public tenders just three months apart. It paid $1,409 per square foot per plot ratio (ppr) for the first parcel in September 2007 and $952.90 psf ppr for the second in November that year.

The second parcel does come with a requirement to provide a hotel component.

Speaking at the building agreement signing ceremony yesterday, MGPA CEO (Asia Investments) Simon Treacy said that there could be more bargains in the offing here.

‘The next six to nine months will have even better pricing available,’ he said.

Mr Treacy did not give details of future acquisitions here but was bullish on the office sector, where he believes rents can rise between 10 and 25 per cent this year.

MGPA’s Marina View development is expected to have a total gross floor area (GFA) of more than 2.6 million sq ft in two 40-storey-plus towers with a 20-metre-high podium.

According to the conditions of the tender, at least 70 per cent of the GFA of the first site must be developed as office space. The second site must have at least 60 per cent office space.

Also speaking at yesterday’s ceremony was MGPA CEO (Asia Developments) Michael Wilkinson, who revealed that there will be a 250-room luxury hotel. He also said that the retail podium is likely to have a significant number of F&B outlets to support the offices.

While a residential component is allowed, Mr Wilkinson said that this is not likely at the moment. However, he said that the design has not been finalised and MGPA is having ‘extensive discussions’ with the authorities to settle this.

MGPA has invested about $4.5 billion in Singapore over the last 15 months. Other major acquisitions include Temasek Tower, which it bought for $1.04 billion in March 2007.

Singapore's sport's future lies in the heart of the city

17 Apr 08

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

SINGAPORE : It has been turfed resplendently green and the lines have been drawn.

When goalposts with nets are fitted at both ends, the facility will be ready for football action.

Twenty-eight floors above, the TODAY office has a marvellous view of the floating platform on Marina Bay.

It is a magnificent venue for a football game.

The Singapore Sports Council say matches can be held there after Formula 1's SingTel Singapore Grand Prix 2008 race on Sept 28.

Football enthusiasts will be excited, because for the first time games will be played on an artificially-turfed pitch floating on water against a spectacular Singapore skyline that will surely whet the players' appetites.

The 2008 RHB Singapore Cup Final on Nov 28 could well be staged on the floating platform because the National Stadium is due to be torn down soon to make way for the Sports Hub and with a 27,000-capacity, the platform will be the biggest venue available.

It is also an ideal venue for a corporate titan to purchase naming rights to, because it offers a unique marketing opportunity.

On Wednesday, sports minister Vivian Balakrishnan mingled with some of the country's top business leaders at the Singapore Sports Council's 3rd CEO Gala at Sentosa.

In his speech, he said the aim was to grow Singapore's sports industry to the extent it contributes $2 billion to the GDP by 2015.

Saying that the private sector must lead the way, Balakrishnan is optimistic chief executives are aware the sports industry is set for a boom, citing the occasion when 700 companies pledged their support for the country's bid to host the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

A pledge of support that warmed the heart, now it is time for the 170 or so chief executives who gathered at Sentosa on Wednesday and others around the country to show they genuinely believe there is tremendous potential in the sports industry, and what better place to start then a bid for the naming rights to the floating platform.

For the next five years at least the facility will be featured on television screens around the world as Ferraris, BMWs, Renaults and Mercedes Formula 1 cars, among others, race along in front of its grandstand.

In the heart of the city, the field should prove to be a popular venue for football, both for competitive games as well as for events staged by corporations and members of the public.

Those who remember how fans used to flock to the field in front of the old St Joseph's Institution (now the Singapore Art Museum) at Bras Basah Road will know how hot a football venue in the heart of the city can be.

Parties can be held under the stars, companies can host dinner-and-dance events on the Bay, the National Day Parade will be held there until at least 2011, when the Sports Hub will be ready.

Last night, SSC's chief of sports marketing, Kelven Tan, revealed that Citigroup Inc had paid US$20 million ($27 million), a sum it will continue to shell out annually over the next 20 years, for the construction in New York of the Citi Field Stadium, set to be the home to Major League Baseball team, the New York Mets.

Whenever games are played, the name of Citi Field Stadium will be brought up — on television and radio, in print and on the Internet.

It will stand out in maps of New York City, it will be on the lips of taxi drivers.

One corporate giant here could enjoy similar exposure.

The time has come for chief executives to pledge their support, through deed.

By Leonard Thomas, TODAY

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

This is FANTASTIC RafflesCity --thankyou Sir !
Now we just have to wait for those pesky Central Promontory plans (its a huge empty chunk of prime waterfront in the immediate vicinity !)

What an interesting thread. My God Singapore's come leaps and bounds since from 50 years ago. A wonderful city with a tiger's bite :)

Picture by GOMUS

http://www.pbase.com/gomus/image/96222066/original.jpg

Overview on 2nd May 2008

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/tview2-1.jpg

Renowned US firm and S'pore partner appointed to design new cruise terminal

6 May 08

A HIGH-PROFILE architectural firm from the United States and its Singapore partner have been appointed to design the International Cruise Terminal at Marina South.
The job goes to Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, whose portfolio includes highly prestigous projects like Dubai's The World, Dubai Maritime city and the New York City Cruise Terminal, and RSP Architects Planners & Engineers.

Another local firm, Maunsell Consultants (Singapore), has been appointed the engineering consultant for the same project, said a joint statement on Monday from the Singapore Tourism Board and JTC Corporation, the government agency overseeing the overall development of the new cruise terminal.

They were picked by an evaluation panel of key executives from STB and JTC.

The Marina South terminal is intended to boost the existing cruise facilities and infrastructure to accommodate the new generation of larger cruise ships.

The architectural design will incorporate a terminal building alongside two berths, designed for operational efficiency and a seamless visitor experience.

It will also have all other facilities necessary to accommodate the largest ships currently in service, as well as those currently under construction.

Three firms - BEA International and CPG Consultants Pte Ltd, Bermello, Ajamil & Partners and RSP Architects Planners & Engineers and DMJM Design and DP Architects Pte Ltd - with the requisite experience were invited to participate in a limited tender, said the statement.

Besides having had prior experience in cruise terminal planning, each firm was required to choose a Singapore partner and participate as a consortium.

At the close of the tender on March 7, three proposals were submitted from the invited consortia. Mr Chew Tiong Heng, STB's Director for Leisure Planning & Cruise, said: 'All three invited bidders submitted strong proposals, reflecting a keen interest in the project. The evaluation panel eventually chose a winning consortium which stood out not only for its track record and experience in cruise terminal planning and design, but also a concept that best met the needs and functional requirements of the International Cruise Terminal.'

Four engineering consulting firms with the specialist knowledge and experience in marine engineering were invited to submit proposals for the engineering of the terminal.

At the close of the tender on Feb 22, all four firms - Jurong Consultants, Maunsell Consultants (Singapore), Parsons Brinckerhoff and Surbana Corporation - submitted proposals.

Maunsell Consultants was selected based on a combination of factors, including its technical experience and strong track record in handling similar projects in the past, said JTC.

Maunsell will oversee all the engineering aspects of the project, including the engineering designs of the berths and buildings, till completion.

Mr Koh Chwee, JTC's Director of Engineering Planning Group said: 'JTC will leverage on our expertise in major ports and marine infrastructure construction and embark on this challenging International Cruise Terminal project.

'We endeavour to provide innovative and leading-edge solutions to fast track the implementation of the project and complete it on time. JTC will work with STB to make this cruise terminal the next iconic feature in Singapore.'

JTC said with the appointments, the International Cruise Terminal is on schedule to be completed in 2010. Piling and construction works for the berth deck are expected to start in the second half of the year, and an operator for the terminal is targeted to be appointed by STB in the third quarter of this year. The final design for the cruise terminal and other details will be announced later.

Singapore's urban planning authority has released new renderings and refinements to the Masterplan.

Watch the Video (http://www.ura.gov.sg/DMP2008/video3.htm)

This is part of an overall country-wide planning review done every 5 years.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/marinabay1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/marinabay2.jpg

wow the design looks really impressive :):cheers:

Singapore is out of control!

wow the design looks really impressive :):cheers:


what happen to OUB and UOB Buildings in Singapore after the MERGER :)

what happen to OUB and UOB Buildings in Singapore after the MERGER :)

The banks merged. However, the OUB building was then sold off to the Lippo Group. Its proper address is 1 Raffles Place.

The latest with the the 'OUB' is that it is getting an extension.

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20080509/ST_IMAGES_MNYJTTRUE.jpg

Very Impressive design indeed.. i hope Batam will be able to catch up with singapore in the near future once the FTZ is established.. please visit this link and vote for batam
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=632100 thank you

Its sad for OUB Building. it much better without this expansion

Updated model

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2516324938_c4cd87bab9_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/2516326190_2fc5c9ea5c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/2515504089_18318fe501_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2516331894_6fb69ffd18_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2155/2515502043_251d9c2405_o.jpg

^^ It looks great! I went to Singapore for the first time ever last week and stayed at the Swissotel with an amazing view to Marina Bay and the constructions look impressive! Great for Singapore!

wow so many tall buildings
it's going to be like NYC 8D

actually, i would prefer if a part of this development wouldn't be in Hight rise. The best thing about Singapore, is that there is an optimum and harmonious blend of modern hight rise and old shop houses. I would prefer that this blend is still there around Marina bay...

actually, i would prefer if a part of this development wouldn't be in Hight rise. The best thing about Singapore, is that there is an optimum and harmonious blend of modern hight rise and old shop houses. I would prefer that this blend is still there around Marina bay...

The Marina Bay is a brand new canvas, there are no historical buildings in its vicinity. The mix of old shophouses and highrises can be enjoyed at places like the river and Chinatown. The skyline at Marina Bay will be designed to be a mixture of highrise and lowrise. Click here (http://www.ura.gov.sg/DMP2008/focus_areas/Marina%20Bay/explore.htm#http://www.ura.gov.sg/DMP2008/focus_areas/Marina%20Bay/001/02.swf) to find out more.

Anyway heres an update on the bridge construction taken last month by a friend.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/ritzview3.jpg

Bridge looks too low to be cleared by boats?

wow, the whole marina bay will be so damn dense...just impressive. btw..can we expect one 280m tower more?

^^

Look carefully at the two renderings of Marina Bay in this page. Somewhere in the middle you should find something stands out of the rest in the Marina Bay and try to compare it with the 3 280m buildings. You may find something interesting. A side note is the skyline rendering is subject to changes so the possibility of buildings higher than 280m existence is low though authorities was encouraged by good feedbacks to build something higher than 280m.

Why does SG limit buildings to 280m? I have never heard an explanation.

^^

Look carefully at the two renderings of Marina Bay in this page. Somewhere in the middle you should find something stands out of the rest in the Marina Bay and try to compare it with the 3 280m buildings. You may find something interesting. A side note is the skyline rendering is subject to changes so the possibility of buildings higher than 280m existence is low though authorities was encouraged by good feedbacks to build something higher than 280m.

I caught that too.

Why does SG limit buildings to 280m? I have never heard an explanation.

The CBD almost lies straight from the Paya Lebar Airbase's runway. Though current technology should have no problem maneuvering past the buildings but for safety sake it is wiser not to take the risk. We are a small country with more than 3 airbase and 3 airport. ;)

Singapore... utopia defined.

20 June 2008

Projects and Infrastructure under simultaneous construction

Marina Bay Sands Hotel - 3 towers
MBFC - 5 towers
Marina View - 2 towers

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/marina2006.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/mbfc2006.jpg

wow...all are busy there...this project will give a boom economy to singapore...keep it up....

Office Space in Singapore
Set to Double

In his speech made during the Committee of Supply Debate, National Development Minister Mr Mah Bow Tan unveiled the Government’s plan to double the size of the financial district as part of the strategy to position Singapore as one of Asia’s leading financial centres. Skyline tells you more about this vision and brings you other highlights of Minister Mah’s speech

by Pearly Cheong

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline08/skyline08-02/images/pg2_pic.jpg

Already well-known internationally as a high-quality office locale, more developments are underway at Marina Bay to sharpen this position. Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, announced this in his 2008 Committee of Supply Debate speech.

Because of forward planning on the part of the Government some 30 years ago, Singapore is now able to seamlessly extend our existing business district at Raffles Place/Shenton Way/Tanjong Pagar towards Marina Bay to accommodate the growing demand for Grade A office space.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline08/skyline08-02/images/pg2_1.jpg

Comparable to the world’s finest
Minister Mah announced that the new 85 ha growth area at Marina Bay will be more than twice the size of London’s Canary Wharf. It will provide some 2.82 million sqm of office space, or the equivalent to Hong Kong’s main business district, Central. The new financial district will be developed over more than 15 years, depending on market demand.

The vision is for Marina Bay to be the pulse of financial and business-related activities, with state-of-the-art Grade A office space within a lively waterfront area, comparable to the world’s finest cities. With the new growth area and financial district at Marina Bay, Singapore is well-positioned to attract even more financial institutions and business services to galvanise its reputation as an international financial hub.

In the shorter term, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will make available more sites for development in this area over the next five to six years, in line with market demand. When completed, these new developments will provide more than 1.1 million sqm of office space. This is equivalent to the total amount of office space at Raffles Place today.

One of Singapore’s most prestigious addresses

With its prime location in the heart of Singapore’s future downtown, Marina Bay will continue to be a magnet to global investors and tenants wanting to set up offices in Singapore.

Already, a nucleus of office developments is already forming at the new extension of the financial district, with the development of One Raffles Quay, the soon-to-be-completed Marina Bay Financial Centre, and the two recently sold sites at Marina View. Several global banks and MNCs, including UBS, Deutsche Bank, DBS and Standard Chartered are already located or will be located in these developments.

Planning ahead to meet demand

Singapore’s office sector has seen robust growth over the past three years, with demand for office space increasing by 260,000 sqm in 2007. Singapore’s economy grew by a strong 7.7 percent in 2007, and is expected to continue to grow by between 4 percent and 6 percent in the medium term. This sustained growth will continue to underpin and drive the growth of the property market and the demand for quality office spaces in the next few years.

Minister Mah also announced that apart from Marina Bay, to meet the future demand for Grade A office space, sites around the Tanjong Pagar precinct will be released, and the Ophir-Rochor corridor will also be redeveloped into a vibrant office cluster.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline08/skyline08-02/images/pg2_2.jpg

All set for action in Master Plan 2008

The above plans were announced in relation to one of three objectives of the Draft Master Plan 2008, which is to ensure that Singapore has sufficient land to support economic activity. The other two objectives are to reduce commuting by bringing jobs closer to homes and homes closer to jobs; and to provide greater greenery and leisure options for our people.

To meet the second objective, new commercial centres at Jurong, Paya Lebar as well as Kallang-Bugis will be developed. New industrial estates will also be created and located over different regions. All these efforts will make getting to work more convenient and cut down commuting time.

Minister Mah also addressed the need for more recreational choices and destinations to improve the quality of life. Some of the initiatives in the pipeline include more water-based recreation, new sports facilities, lifestyle destinations and parks. The Government has stepped up the development of Park Connectors, and come 2015, 200 km of these green corridors will link up our parks.

The Draft Master Plan will be presented publicly in May 2008 and will guide Singapore’s land-use planning and development for the next 10 to 15 years


Sustainable Development

Minister Mah’s key emphasis in his speech is that sustainable development must continue to be a key priority of the Government. Land use planning will continue to be done judiciously to ensure that we can grow comfortably into the future, and yet provide an even higher quality living environment for our people.

As a signal of the Government’s commitment to ensure that the growth we strive for is not at the expense of our quality of life, an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD) was formed to review policies and chart new strategies for Singapore’s future development. The committee is co-chaired by Minister Mah and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.

Moving forward, Minister Mah announced that the IMCSD intends to co-create a sustainable development strategy with the people and private sectors for the future, by seeking the views and expert knowledge that resides both locally and internationally.

It will look into specific new initiatives in various areas, such as transport, our built environment, promoting green industry and expanding green spaces, to make Singapore the leading eco-global city in Asia.

The Committee will also launch a blueprint next year that will provide a comprehensive road map of the initiatives and the measures that Singapore will need to take to sustain our development for the next 10 years and beyond.

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Green Singapore has blue-water dreams

30 June 08

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SINGAPORE is known for its greenery but it may soon be recognised for its blue - as in blue water.
That is the hope of civic officials behind a project to seal off the city-state's waterfront from the sea and create a three-in-one water source for drinking, flood control and recreation.

Recently finished after about three years of construction, the S$240-million Marina Barrage will create a new source of precious water in a city-state with almost no natural resources of its own.

When reporters toured the project shortly before its completion, workers with trowels were finishing the edges of a bridge more than 300 metres long - the key structure in the barrage.

Below the bridge are nine steel gates that act as a tidal barrier, the developers said. The gates are activated by giant black cylinders that look like cannons.

On one side of the bridge, sun glints off the rippling greenish sea filled with ships. On the other side, the still water is brownish against a backdrop of Singapore's business district.

'The water here is still seawater,' Mr Yap Kheng Guan, project director for Singapore's water agency, PUB, says as he stands on the bridge and points behind him towards the reservoir and Marina Bay.

PUB officials say rainwater will eventually flush out that sea water.

Probably by early 2010, they say, the flushing will have created a freshwater lake for drinking and recreational use on the edge of the city's commercial heart and a burgeoning tourist and entertainment district.

Mr Yap said the type of fish in the water will change along with the water.

'There will be a different biodiversity,' he said.

Marina Bay itself is undergoing dramatic change with the construction of a multi-billion-dollar casino complex, the new Singapore Flyer observation wheel, renovation of an old ferry terminal, and the Gardens by the Bay horticultural development adjoining Marina Barrage.

Sealing off the reservoir and stopping its three-metre tidal variation will make it an even more appealing venue for boating, windsurfing and other activities, the PUB says.

A boat hoist has been installed at one end of the barrage, which officials said was already operating as a tide gate.

'Gradually we are kicking in the functions, step by step,' said Mr Khoo Teng Chye, PUB's chief executive, who forecasts an opening early next year.

The barrage itself is completed but final work continues on a visitors' centre.

'We are on schedule,' Mr Yap said.

During heavy rain, the barrage's steel gates can be opened to release storm water into the sea at low tide, the PUB says.

At high tide, seven pumps inside a spacious and bright building at one end of the barrage will send the excess storm water into the sea, helping to ease the threat of flooding in older, low-lying parts of the city.

During a test of the flood gates, water pours into the sea, making it look like a wide stretch of frothy rapids.

A curving ramp will lead visitors to the roof of the pump house, where a worker hosed down freshly-laid grass. PUB hopes the pump house and its attached dining spots will become a destination in themselves.

Aside from flood control and recreation, the barrage will create the city-state's largest catchment area which will meet about 10 per cent of the city's current water demand, the water agency said.

'This is probably the only one of its kind where you have a reservoir taking water from a highly urbanised area,' Mr Yap said.

Several rivers drain into the catchment but they carry little ground water.

'Basically you're bringing in rain water,' Mr Yap said. Sewage is captured in a separate system.

Water from Marina Reservoir and others in the city is one of four sources of Singapore's water. Some is imported from Malaysia, some comes from a desalination plant, and the rest is known as NEWater. The NEWater starts as treated sewage, which is reclaimed and further purified. Most of it goes to industrial and commercial users, PUB says.

For Singapore, the Marina Barrage project marks the culmination of a cleanup effort that began about two decades ago when working barges still plied and polluted the main Singapore River.

Now, tiny fish dart about in city river water, which is visited at times by long-necked white birds.

But the water is certainly not blue. After heavy rain the rivers become a soupy olive-brown and filled with vegetation, discarded plastic drink bottles and other garbage.

Water for drinking from the reservoir will be specially treated to make it safe, the PUB says.

'We will no longer have the benefit of the sea flushing out the pollutants on a daily basis,' Mr Khoo said, adding that the biggest challenge is ensuring the cleanliness of water flowing into the catchment.

Clean-up crews in small boats patrol the water system but the PUB is counting on the public to play their part in keeping their aquatic playground and drinking fountain clean.

'We want them to understand that water should be something that you cherish,' Mr Yap said.

Eventually, he said, they hope the water will be blue. -- AFP

Thanks for the articles Raffles. The Marina Bay development is very ambitious in scale. I love the design of the casino - it puts Las Vegas's or Macau's tacky efforts to shame - but I'm less inspired by the boxy office blocks.

Thanks for the articles Raffles. The Marina Bay development is very ambitious in scale. I love the design of the casino - it puts Las Vegas's or Macau's tacky efforts to shame - but I'm less inspired by the boxy office blocks.

The boxiness of the new office blocks arise from developers going for large floor plates and also because the new land plots at Marina provide for larger sized developments. (One of the towers at the MBFC appears to be the fattest I've seen for any major building here and is reputed to have the most GFA)

Contrast this with the finer-grain plots at Raffles Place where individual buildings were built over the same plots that used to house smaller buildings. It does show a kind of evolution of the city fabric...

I feel that the new office blocks do seem to have a certain uniformity and blandness in being glass-clad, with new design requirements encouraging sky gardens and other such 'eco' friendly taglines. I hope the design of the public spaces at street level will help integrate the human flow into the new city areas...but thats as far as the Marina area is concerned. Other more established parts of the city like Orchard, Bugis and Tanjong Pagar are getting their own fair share of new developments. :banana:

MARINA VIEW DEVELOPMENT

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The Building Agreement for the Marina View (Land Parcel B) sale site was signed on 18 March 2008 between the Singapore Government and MGP Kimi Pte Ltd during a ceremony held at The Fullerton Hotel. Ms Grace Fu, Minister of State for National Development was the Guest of Honour at the event.

MGP Kimi Pte Ltd was awarded the tender for the Marina View (Land Parcel B) sale site on 5 December 2007 with a successful bid of $0.95 billion. The developer had earlier clinched the bid for the Marina View (Land Parcel A) sale site at $2.02 billion and was awarded the tender for this site on 25 September 2007. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) was the Government’s sales agent for both sites, which will be home to premium office developments. The project also marked the developer’s first successful participation in the Government Land Sales programme in Singapore.

This new development will not be just another office block. It will be the first office complex in Marina Bay to be integrated with a luxury hotel consisting of at least 220 rooms. Together with the other retail and food and beverage (F&B) outlets in the office complex, the Marina View development will reinforce our vision to make our city centre a lively, pulsating 24/7 hub, not just for business but also for play.

This future development will see two towers with more than 40 floors on top of a 20-m tall podium. The North Tower will be located on Land Parcel A with a proposed GFA of about 130,000 sqm, comprising mainly Grade A office space. A good mix of retail and F&B uses will take up the first and second floors of the tower.

With a maximum floor area of 113,580 sqm, the South Tower on Land Parcel B will include prime office space and luxury hotel rooms. Both towers will adopt advanced technology to maximise environmental sustainability and minimise operating costs.

The project is expected to be completed around 2011 or 2012. Australian architectural firm Denton Corker Marshall has been appointed the project’s lead design consultant.

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Some pics from 12 July 2008.

Progress of the pedestrian & vehicular bridge

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The Marina Barrage Visitor Centre

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Progress of One Shenton and Marina View sites.

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An overview --->

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Fantastic pano R-C ---- much appreciated Sir !

Thanks Veru, you're very much welcome!

For info, thats taken from the Chinese restaurant on 60th floor of UOB Plaza :cheers:

Evening and night pics - 25 July 2008

Maybank Tower sporting coloured lights. The government is encouraging building owners to explore lighting their buildings.

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The Sail @ Marina Bay, not quite occupied yet

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This old building nearby has recently been refurbished and houses luxury serviced apartments (The Ascott Raffles Place)

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The Marina Bay Residences rising

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^^ nice pics... Following Hong kong foot step? it's gonna be really nice in the near future.

Thanks. Besides the scheme to encourage buildings to light up, there is a planned lightshow to coincide with the opening of the casino I hear.

Anyway more pics from the Singapore forum.

These pics are taken today with nice cloud formation :) Looking very nice and can't wait when everything is finished.
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Think these workers have safety belt else could be a hard landing...
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Taken last week...
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Looks like someone is taking a nap :lol:
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The restoration of the old Clifford Pier - to be converted into a waterfront hotel.

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The towers of the Marina Bay Financial Centre are rising

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Progress of the Sands resort.

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Very impressive.... Hope by next National Day Parade, we could have them ready. This will allow more people to participate and watch the fireworks.

Marina Bay all set to sparkle

17 Sep 08

Plans for two promenades unveiled which will complete waterfront loop, linking bay attractions

By Jessica Lim
Straits Times

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PLANS for the last two links of the Marina Bay chain have been laid down, completing a 3.5km waterfront loop joining up the necklace of attractions in the bay area.

- An 800m water-misted stretch along Bayfront, adjacent to Bayfront Avenue.

- A 400m shady walk through pavilions under large solar-powered fans along Marina Boulevard.

The links were announced by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) yesterday.

The uninterrupted waterfront promenade designed by Australian architects Cox Group in collaboration with local firm Architects 61, will cost $35 million to build.

When ready around the end of next year, visitors will be able to walk a loop linking the Merlion Park, Esplanade Theatres, the ArtScience museum and integrated resort (IR), Marina Bay Financial Centre and The Fullerton Heritage.

Ultimately, the plan is to create a vibrant waterfront area, drawing visitors to shop, eat, play or simply take in the view of the bay from any spot on the promenade.

The Bayfront stretch will be a two-tier promenade with a granite-paved upper-level and a lower-level timber boardwalk to allow visitors to go right down to the water's edge.

The main attraction is a 300m-long stainless steel tube-like structure, which can be as high as 10m, equipped with audio speakers, night-lighting and spray misters to bring temperatures down a notch.

The promenade will widen at the southern corner of the Bay into an open space with water features such as dancing water jets. Next to that will be a visitor centre showing developments in the area, a cafe and an information booth.

The lively, pumping ambience of the Bayfront stretch will give way to a shadier, more tranquil gander along Marina Boulevard.

There, visitors can rest their feet and sit on the seawall among flowering shrubs and shady trees, and be cooled by solar-powered fans.

The announcement for the final two links has come 18 months after URA unveiled its plans for the first, a double-helix bridge linking the IR site with the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel. The Flyer opened officially in March, and the bridge will be up around the end of next year.

Said URA's chief planner Koh-Lim Wen Gin: 'These constructions help us to take full advantage of the waterfront. It allows people to enjoy this reservoir in the heart of our city and allows lots of events to take place next to and on the water.'

The URA is now calling for tenders for the promenades' construction.

The Marina Bay loop will be part of a longer 11.7km waterfront route around the Marina Reservoir, linking the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Barrage and the new Sports Hub. These are in the midst of construction.

The designer, renowned Australian architect Philip Cox, hailed the Marina Bay area as the 'new focus of the city' and a way for Singapore to become 'the most successful maritime city in the world'.

He said: 'Every part of Singapore offers a different experience. This one will lead to a

refocus, a shift of the centre of the city to this area and away from Orchard Road.'

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Marina Barrage completed, reservoir to be operational in less than 2 yrs

23 Oct 08

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SINGAPORE: After three years of construction, the S$230 million Marina Barrage is ready. It dams up Singapore's river mouth, forming a reservoir - the Marina Reservoir - which has a catchment area that is one-sixth the size of Singapore.

Right now, the reservoir contains mainly sea water. But when the monsoon rains come, the sea water will be flushed out through the gates into the sea, making it a freshwater reservoir.

Marina Reservoir will be operational in less than two years. Pipes are also being constructed to take the water to the treatment plants where it will be purified before being pumped to homes.

The barrage's crest gates also help with flood control.

Yap Kheng Guan, Director in charge of Marina Barrage, PUB, said: "The gates actually block the water from going into the Marina Reservoir. That is very important because at times of high tide and heavy rains, many of the low lying areas will be subject to flooding. By blocking the sea water from coming in, we will be eliminating the tidal influence."

The drainage pumps located under a building are capable of draining an Olympic-sized swimming pool in one minute. They will be activated when there is excess water in the reservoir.

The building also boasts Singapore's largest solar field with 405 panels. The solar field helps reduce daytime lighting requirements by half at the building, which contains visitor galleries and food outlets.

So the next time you want to take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront or find out more about how Singapore manages its precious water resources, you could check out the Marina Barrage, which will be opened on November 1.

By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia

Open Courtyard
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http://bigwalkonwater.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/mb.jpg?w=800

Roof View
http://bigwalkonwater.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/roof.jpg?w=800

Green City View
http://bigwalkonwater.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/greenskyview.jpg?w=800

Pump House
http://bigwalkonwater.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/pumphouse.jpg?w=800

Marina Bridge
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Source: http://bigwalkonwater.wordpress.com/organisers-blog/about/the-marina-barrage/

Skyline view from the newly-opened Marina Barrage

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nice photo...by RafflesCity...

Yes indeed ... great job Lord R-C !!

Thanks VRS and Veru! :)

Other pics

MBFC
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Here are some updates from Little Pig:

Clifford Pier
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The Sands
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World's First Curved Double Helix Bridge Takes Shape

The new link which will complete the 3.5 km waterfront loop around Marina Bay is currently being pieced together, literally. When completed by end 2009, the new landmark Bridge at Marina Bay will serve as a direct link between Marina Centre and the Bayfront area and become a new destination attraction offering breathtaking views of the city.

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The next time you are at the seating gallery of The Float at Marina Bay, take a peek at the adjacent construction site and you will notice a unique spiraling structure extending towards the upcoming Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort. This is the construction of the new double helix bridge, as many have affectionately called, which will link Marina Centre to the Bayfront area. The first helical segment of the pedestrian bridge was installed in early November, partially revealing its distinctive design.

URA’s plans for the new Bridge at Marina Bay were announced in March 2006. The link comprises two components – a vehicular bridge, which runs parallel to Sheares Bridge and connects the future Bayfront Avenue and the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort to Raffles Avenue at the junction with Temasek Avenue, and a pedestrian bridge, which is designed with a uniquely spiraling steel structure that resembles the double helix structure of DNA. When completed, the new bridge will make it possible to walk from Marina Centre to the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort in less than five minutes.

Besides being a connection, the new Bridge will be an attraction in its own right as it provides pedestrians and visitors a unique and memorable crossing experience, offering a panoramic view of the city skyline. There will be four viewing “pods” which overhang the water where you can stop to rest and watch events happening within the Bay.

At the northern end of the bridge, next to the seating gallery of The Float, construction will begin soon on Singapore’s first Art Park which will feature 27 art works by Singapore youths. These art works were selected from 136 entries submitted in a competition in March 2006 to express ideas based on the theme “Aspirations for Life in Singapore”.

Visitors can look forward to a fun-filled and interactive experience at the Art Park. There will be a landscaped maze featuring a 4.5-metre high sculpture taking the form of a girl on top of a mountain. There will also be a rock wall featuring 18 drawings of Singapore icons and an area with interactive ‘hop-scotch’ lighted floor tiles.

Designed by Australian architects Cox Group and engineers Arup Pte Ltd, together with Singapore-based Architects 61, the 280-metre pedestrian bridge is the world’s first curved double helix bridge. The construction is an engineering feat which requires great precision in the fabrication and assembly process that is possible only with today’s advanced technologies.

Individual segments of the bridge are fabricated off-site, due to the sensitive nature of the special duplex stainless steel used, before they are delivered on-site for actual assembly.

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http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline08/skyline08-06/text/01.htm

Marina Bay Sands - January 2009 update

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Soaking Up Life By The Bay

By Melissa Lee

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All eyes are on the construction work taking place round-the-clock in Marina Bay. Singapore's largest urban transformation project is shaping up into a host of exciting developments, including the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, Marina Bay Financial Centre and Gardens by the Bay.

And for people who like to be outdoors or enjoy wonderful views of the bay, URA is building the new waterfront promenade around Marina Bay. It creates a continuous route along the waterfront and links up the necklace of attractions at the Marina Centre, Collyer Quay and Bayfront areas. The promenade, designed by Australian architects, The Cox Group, in collaboration with Architects 61, is part of our plan to make Marina Bay a lifestyle destination for everyone on the island.

Besides taking in panoramic views of the bay and watching the new skyline take shape before their eyes, visitors will have better access to the waters edge and water taxis. They can also enjoy interesting features such as a cool "mist walk" or indulge in a playful splash at the "dancing water jets".

The waterfront promenade will be constructed at an estimated cost of S$35 million. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009, in tandem with the double-helix pedestrian bridge — a world first and the longest pedestrian bridge in Singapore.

Waterfront Promenade at Bayfront

A two-tier promenade has been planned along the Bayfront. Visitors can stroll or jog on the granite-paved upper-level promenade while the lower level timber boardwalk will incorporate water-taxi landing points and berthing points for boats. There are a number of things you can do here:

Get close to the water

The lower level boardwalk featuring tiered-seating and steps allows visitors to go right down to the water's edge, and double up as seats for watching events and activities taking place within the Bay, such as the Marina Bay Countdown on every New Year's Eve.

Immerse in a cool mist walk

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Enjoy a cool, multi-sensory experience as you go through the mist walk, a 300 m long sculptural, tubular stainless steel structure with fine spray misters to lower daytime temperatures. The interactive misters are programmed to spray clouds of mist using a system of sensors that monitors the ambient temperature, relative humidity and people movement.

Have fun with water

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A family-oriented public open space, with a series of linear water features will be created at the southern corner of the Bay. These include dancing water jets to engage the young and old alike.

Be served at a one-stop visitor centre

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A Visitor Centre with information, exhibition and ticketing facilities and a small café will be located within this area. As part of the efforts to make Marina Bay an eco-friendly district, the Visitor Centre will also include sustainable design features, such as natural ventilation, natural daylighting and solar roof panels.


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The stretch of the waterfront promenade along Marina Boulevard will be a shaded tropical walk with flowering shrubs and shade trees to create a lush and delightful experience. It will include three 'Breeze Shelters' — pavilions with large solar-powered fans — which will provide a cool and breezy 'pause point' for visitors to rest.

This part of the promenade will also include a continuous seat along the seawall to allow visitors to rest and soak in views of the bay. Multi-functional smart poles will provide power outlets and speaker points to be used during events. There are plans to introduce public art work along the promenade, to provide a visually engaging experience for visitors and enhance the sense of community and identity in Marina Bay. The promenade will be lit with attractive night lighting integrated into the design features.

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looks like a sinking ship!!:ohno:

I think it looks like some WW2 warship in Razzle-Dazzle camouflage