10 March 2004

SINGAPORE Labour Foundation (SLF) has shelved plans to build a residential and office development in the heart of Ang Mo Kio - a move that property consultants are in two minds about.

While they agree that it makes sense not to go ahead with the proposed 21-storey office building, especially given the weak office market, they believe the location is ideal for a condominium.

SLF had originally planned to build a 31-storey condominium on the 2.57ha site, alongside the office block and a new air-conditioned bus interchange.

It now plans to construct 'an integrated shopping mall-cum-bus interchange' instead, details of which will be released later.

Chesterton International associate director Nicholas Mak felt a condominium there could attract many potential home buyers because of its proximity to the MRT station and bus interchange.

'Ang Mo Kio is also a big established HDB estate and there would be strong demand from Housing Board dwellers looking to upgrade to a 99-year condo. I think it would have worked,' he said, adding that it could have sold for about $500 per sq ft.

Grandeur 8, a 99-year leasehold condominium also in Ang Mo Kio, was snapped up last year at an average price of $480 per sq ft.

While SLF said it had decided to scale down its plans because of the 'prevailing oversupply of office and residential space in the market', some believe it may also be due to the earlier controversy over the direct sale of the site to SLF, instead of putting it up for public tender.

That aside, analysts are in favour of the proposed mall and expect it to be 'commercially viable'.

Knight Frank executive director Tay Kah Poh gave the example of nearby Bishan Junction 8. Its entire office tower is being exchanged for additional shop space, as its retail rentals have more attractive returns.

'Retail is a good choice for the Ang Mo Kio town centre, as people can commute there easily to shop and eat. It's a sensible move.'

What a pity.....but then again, they might add the extra towers in future anyway. ;) I hear from the chinese news they are building up only 1/4 of the available site.

Originally posted by huaiwei

What a pity.....but then again, they might add the extra towers in future anyway. ;) I hear from the chinese news they are building up only 1/4 of the available site. reduced by 1/4 or build only 1/4?? makes lotsa diff...

sometimes really wonder how some of the ppl in the civil service work. do they really think with their butt?? why did they tear down the area so early? can't they finalise everything first? the inconvenience they brought to us. :soapbox:

ummm just build the air con interchange first... most impt...

Originally posted by heirloom

ummm just build the air con interchange first... most impt... yar lor. they should have done in phases instead. build the most necessary first while the rest can wait. what for all wait together.

what's waiting anyway? only the interchange is it? and supermarket, but supermarket shifted somewhere not too far rite?

Originally posted by kenmin

reduced by 1/4 or build only 1/4?? makes lotsa diff...

sometimes really wonder how some of the ppl in the civil service work. do they really think with their butt?? why did they tear down the area so early? can't they finalise everything first? the inconvenience they brought to us. :soapbox: What I here is build 1/4 of the site....

Dunno why they suddenly stop the development halfway, then decide this should be done. I tot they got so much money can do anything with it one. Or maybe they feel gulty about the way the site was dished to them on a platter....:D

Actually hor....NTUC Centre was dished out to them leh. :colgate:

Originally posted by heirloom

what's waiting anyway? only the interchange is it? and supermarket, but supermarket shifted somewhere not too far rite? Er...the supermarket become a makeshift thing beside the temp interchange wat....

Originally posted by heirloom

what's waiting anyway? only the interchange is it? and supermarket, but supermarket shifted somewhere not too far rite? the supermart now is temp only though it's big!

they tore down the interchange and supermart building cos they tot the area was too underutilised...

besides the interchange, they intended to build shopping centres, offices, condos etc... too ambitious and look at what's happening in the end? back to square 1, albeit larger shopping space, i suppose. :bash:

Originally posted by huaiwei

What I here is build 1/4 of the site....

Dunno why they suddenly stop the development halfway, then decide this should be done. I tot they got so much money can do anything with it one. Or maybe they feel gulty about the way the site was dished to them on a platter....:D

Actually hor....NTUC Centre was dished out to them leh. :colgate: what i read is scale down fr 2.5ha to 1.9ha. that's around 3/4 lor.

i think gotta do with the budget cutting here and there. no more extra cash for them 2 spend liao lar. then shouldn't have done it in the first place.

Area underutilised as in the land area used by the interchange is too big loh....considering its hot property, its quite a waste.

Most of our previous generation bus interchanges will be demolished one by one and replaced lah.

Interchanges to be retained:
Bishan
Bukit Merah
Hougang Central
Punggol (new one u/c)
Sengkang
Sembawang
Woodlands
Yishun (may be demolished according to previous plans)

Interchanges recently demolished and replaced:
Hougang South (replacement in Hougang Central)
Toa Payoh

Interchanges in the replacement process:
Ang Mo Kio

Interchanges to be demolished and replaced:
Bedok
Boon Lay
Bukit Batok
Bukit Panjang
Choa Chu Kang
Clementi
Eunos (may have no replacement)
Jurong East
Pasir Ris
Serangoon
Tampines

Originally posted by kenmin

what i read is scale down fr 2.5ha to 1.9ha. that's around 3/4 lor.

i think gotta do with the budget cutting here and there. no more extra cash for them 2 spend liao lar. then shouldn't have done it in the first place. Maybe I hear wrong from the news loh. Anyway, maybe budget cut 2% thats why not much cash left for extra frills? :D

Originally posted by huaiwei

Area underutilised as in the land area used by the interchange is too big loh....considering its hot property, its quite a waste.

Most of our previous generation bus interchanges will be demolished one by one and replaced lah.

Interchanges to be retained:
Bishan
Bukit Merah
Hougang Central
Punggol (new one u/c)
Sengkang
Sembawang
Woodlands
Yishun (may be demolished according to previous plans)

Interchanges recently demolished and replaced:
Hougang South (replacement in Hougang Central)
Toa Payoh

Interchanges in the replacement process:
Ang Mo Kio

Interchanges to be demolished and replaced:
Bedok
Boon Lay
Bukit Batok
Bukit Panjang
Choa Chu Kang
Clementi
Eunos (may have no replacement)
Jurong East
Pasir Ris
Serangoon
Tampines

the next should be Serangoon rite? together with CCL... but i think they should do something to Clementi first... the interchange is pathetic.

but after AMK fiasco, i think most ppl will not welcome such an idea... just like the upgrading... :nono:

actually interchanges like Hougang is also wasting lotsa prime land... why they r retaining it? too new?

well i dont really think its a frill...apartments are money spinners... they're really wasting land there by just building a mall. and i pray the mall looks nice. no more liu thai ker style please.

Originally posted by kenmin

the next should be Serangoon rite? together with CCL... but i think they should do something to Clementi first... the interchange is pathetic.

but after AMK fiasco, i think most ppl will not welcome such an idea... just like the upgrading... :nono:

actually interchanges like Hougang is also wasting lotsa prime land... why they r retaining it? too new? Serangoon will depend on how well they can sell the site loh. Jurong East and Bukit Panjang also seem to be prime candidates soon.

Hougang Central ah? Hmm....it actually have quite a combact design aka Bishan, but no car park on top. Notice they stopped having the end-on berth liao, in favour of the sawtooth berth system? And it was built to intergrate well with the MRT station mah. I think at that time they didnt anticipate building over an MRT station, and reconned that a bus interchange is that best use for that space?

If anyting, Yishun would be the one which uses the most space! :D I also wonder if they are going to do anyting about Bukit Merah...pertetic building...

bishan interchange should be given at least renovation. it looks quite terrible. and of course, air-con.

Originally posted by huaiwei

Serangoon will depend on how well they can sell the site loh. Jurong East and Bukit Panjang also seem to be prime candidates soon.

Hougang Central ah? Hmm....it actually have quite a combact design aka Bishan, but no car park on top. Notice they stopped having the end-on berth liao, in favour of the sawtooth berth system? And it was built to intergrate well with the MRT station mah. I think at that time they didnt anticipate building over an MRT station, and reconned that a bus interchange is that best use for that space?

If anyting, Yishun would be the one which uses the most space! :D I also wonder if they are going to do anyting about Bukit Merah...pertetic building... with BTL and JRL? then Tampines too when ERL is built...

but how come they know they should have more things above Sengkang, Punggol, Clarke Quay :puke: stations... another cock up i think. :ohno:

Bukit Merah is decent compared to Clementi... at least it still keep u fr the rain.

Originally posted by kenmin

with BTL and JRL? then Tampines too when ERL is built...

but how come they know they should have more things above Sengkang, Punggol, Clarke Quay :puke: stations... another cock up i think. :ohno:

Bukit Merah is decent compared to Clementi... at least it still keep u fr the rain. I wasent thinking in terms of the rail lines, but Bukit Panjang has always been a temporary structure lah.....so it seems as thou they were anticipating a more premanent thing soon.

Jurong is because I have seen the new plans for the Jurong East Regional centre. Construction would have to start once they start rebuilding the road system there.

Whats wrong with Sengkang, Punggol, and Clarke Quay??

Originally posted by huaiwei Whats wrong with Sengkang, Punggol, and Clarke Quay?? about why they only built an interchange above Hougang but more on top of the other 3 stations.

Originally posted by kenmin

about why they only built an interchange above Hougang but more on top of the other 3 stations. Hm...Hougang interchange only covers half of the hougang station box leh....the other half is slated for more intensive commercial developments anyway. ;)

In general, I think its more bec during that era, the concept of an all-in-one town centre has not materialised yet loh. Sengkang is the first one that I know of, the Pungool the next. Toa Payoh is a mix of this concept plus the one at Woodlands?

Clarke quay is just a simple case of building over an underground station mah...just like wat is going to happen over Tanjong Pagar, Outram and Orchard? In fact, I think Tiong Bahru is one of the earliest in this development. Most other underground stations are underneath roads thou.

This is the belated article about that AMK fiasco:

AMK centre to get mall instead of planned condo

SINGAPORE Labour Foundation (SLF) has shelved plans to build a residential and office development in the heart of Ang Mo Kio - a move that property consultants are in two minds about. While they agree that it makes sense not to go ahead with the proposed 21-storey office building, especially given the weak office market, they believe the location is ideal for a condominium.

SLF had originally planned to build a 31-storey condominium on the 2.57ha site, alongside the office block and a new air-conditioned bus interchange. It now plans to construct 'an integrated shopping mall-cum-bus interchange' instead, details of which will be released later.

Chesterton International associate director Nicholas Mak felt a condominium there could attract many potential home buyers because of its proximity to the MRT station and bus interchange. 'Ang Mo Kio is also a big established HDB estate and there would be strong demand from Housing Board dwellers looking to upgrade to a 99-year condo. I think it would have worked,' he said, adding that it could have sold for about $500 per sq ft. Grandeur 8, a 99-year leasehold condominium also in Ang Mo Kio, was snapped up last year at an average price of $480 per sq ft.

While SLF said it had decided to scale down its plans because of the 'prevailing oversupply of office and residential space in the market', some believe it may also be due to the earlier controversy over the direct sale of the site to SLF, instead of putting it up for public tender.

That aside, analysts are in favour of the proposed mall and expect it to be 'commercially viable'. Knight Frank executive director Tay Kah Poh gave the example of nearby Bishan Junction 8. Its entire office tower is being exchanged for additional shop space, as its retail rentals have more attractive returns. 'Retail is a good choice for the Ang Mo Kio town centre, as people can commute there easily to shop and eat. It's a sensible move.'

So dissapointing!:bleep:

Originally posted by RafflesCity

So dissapointing!:bleep: But at least the site is "semi developed," allowing for future additions? ;)

MAY 16, 2004

WORK to rejuvenate the Ang Mo Kio town centre will begin after a delay of two years, with construction of a new shopping mall on a plot of land opposite Ang Mo Kio MRT station starting later in the year.

The project is scheduled to start 'in a few months' time' and 'residents can be assured there'll be a new mall up in the first half of 2007,' said an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Mr Seng Han Thong, at the launch of an upgrading project on Sunday.

The S$325-million project will include a three-storey shopping centre connected to a bus interchange and the MRT station.

The old interchange, along with a three-storey building that housed a supermarket and retail outlets, were demolished in early 2002.

The interchange and supermarket were then moved to a temporary location farther up the street on Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, causing inconvenience for some residents.

Construction of the new mall and bus interchange was put on hold after the Singapore Labour Foundation, in charge of building on the plot of land, went back to the drawing board in 2001 to revise its plans because of 'changing economic conditions'. The original plan was to put up a 31-storey condominium and a 21-storey office block and an air-conditioned bus interchange.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

no pics?

so angry they removed the towers!

Looks like AMK has lost its highrise competition with Bishan.

Nope....unfortunately.....

so angry they removed the towers!

Looks like AMK has lost its highrise competition with Bishan.
Very pissified here too. Whts wrong with building that damn condo?! :bash:

Found a picture of the original plan on the net.....

http://www.at3.com.sg/Images/Project/AMK2.jpg

pity :/ will there be a roof garrrden?

pity :/ will there be a roof garrrden?
What roof garden? I dont see it in the rendering?

um just asking

um just asking
Chey.....You think every building got garden somewhere one ah? :D

I wonder when they will show the rendering of the new plans...

yar... i thought there's a big push towards eco frinedly features in buildings... roof gardens are probably the most obvious eco friendly thing

Wah biang ,I was so hopeful of finally getting a shopping mall in my district.Now ,smaller ,minus office and condo! :bash:

Wah biang ,I was so hopeful of finally getting a shopping mall in my district.Now ,smaller ,minus office and condo! :bash:

Haha.....i'm sure most ppl will share your "grief"....:D

Anyway, it's better than nothing, you dun see them building one in my neighbourhood(not even mention) :bash:

Where you stay?

haha i think the streets in bedok should be made into a bugis junction style thing... now only one semi-interesting store... body shop... ok two... bee chang hiang bak kwa :D

U live there?

no but my friend does

I live in the place where heir's friend lives.......:D

© ignoramus

Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange & Shopping Centre
They are digging real deep! From Ang Mo Kio Station Platform, you can see they are digging at least 4 basement levels down... Nothing above the ground yet, just a lot of digging underground... Its a giant hole...
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7761/dsc000653lr.jpg

Isn't there going to be a MRT interchange with Circle Line here as well ?
That might explain the excavation's depth.

Isn't there going to be a MRT interchange with Circle Line here as well ?


Not really.......:yes:

Isn't there going to be a MRT interchange with Circle Line here as well ?
That might explain the excavation's depth.

Definitely no. The North South Line only intersects with the Circle Line @ Dhoby Ghaut & Bishan Station.

yes there will not be any MRT lines crossing AMK.....i guess they are digging deep for foundations and basement carparks ...something like Toa Payoh HDB Hub ....kind of centre :)

My mistake ^ ^

Is there any rendering for the project? :?

Yeah, on the fence of the construction site, looks very average. Its the same one on exhibit at LKC Refernce library.:)

Yeah, on the fence of the construction site, looks very average. Its the same one on exhibit at LKC Refernce library.:)

Is it still on exhibition?? :?

Damn I thought there was a rendering already in the thread, I didn't shoot the board :-)

By the way I've seen two different renderings for this project. The one currently at the site only shows the mall.
I've seen another one on a public board notice with the same mall design, plus two highrises (about 20 storeys). One looked like an office tower, a bit similar to JTC Summit, another one was apparently a condo tower. The notice was all in chinese so I couldn't quite read it :-(

Anyway, here's an update...

19th May

http://membres.lycos.fr/pengssc/img/060520_angmokio_mall01.jpg

http://membres.lycos.fr/pengssc/img/060520_angmokio_mall02.jpg

No hole anymore ^ ^

Hmm,air-conditioned bus interchange?

the one with the towers was cancelled:(

I can't say I'm surprised, there's nothing that look like it could become a highrise core on the site.
Blah :-p
If I see the notice again, somewhere, I'm gonna try to get a pic of it ;-)

That is sure a massive site!

Thanks for the update....its one of the major town centre redevelopments

when will it be ready? early 2008?

asumming the structure there is for the mall, what about the part that is left untouched? very excited for this project, coz there would be a new mall within walking distance from my school! (hope i'll still be der when its done)

The rest of the site should be for the bus interchange, I guess.

acording to the original plan, bus interchange was suppose to be underground right?

I have no idea :-)
Then I don't know, plaza maybe ?

I seen somewhere says that it'll be ready by end of next year (2007). They're going very fast with the construction...

29/30th June

Very fast indeed ^ ^
Seen from above:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/06/060629_ang_mo_kio_mall01.jpg

Seen from street level... Quite impressive ! :-)
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/06/060630_ang_mo_kio_mall01.jpg

Seen from MRT station platform level:
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/06/060630_ang_mo_kio_mall02.jpg

It's about 5 storeys?

It's about 5 storeys?

More like 4 I think, but your average mall storey is easily 4 or 5 metres nowadays :-)

Thanks Pengui

Its great that you can take regular updates of this project now :yes:

^^ I had some troubles finding a nice staircase ^ ^ Lotsa very tall trees blocking the view around the site ;-)

Picture taken on 01/07/06

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/4001/img03905km.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8496/img03836zh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

thanks all for the pics. how come this thread kena buried ah? lol.

i took last morning.
http://cloud85.iespana.es/jul06/amki/DSC_0001.jpg

http://cloud85.iespana.es/jul06/amki/DSC_0002.jpg

http://cloud85.iespana.es/jul06/amki/DSC_0003.jpg

http://cloud85.iespana.es/jul06/amki/DSC_0005.jpg

http://cloud85.iespana.es/jul06/amki/DSC_0006.jpg

http://cloud85.iespana.es/jul06/amki/DSC_0008.jpg

http://cloud85.iespana.es/jul06/amki/DSC_0009.jpg

http://cloud85.iespana.es/jul06/amki/DSC_0010.jpg

http://cloud85.iespana.es/jul06/amki/DSC_0011.jpg

^ Nice update....:yes:

Here's some news about the mall....:yes:

Business Times - 17 Jul 2006

CapitaLand is top contender to run Ang Mo Kio mall

Project developed jointly by SLF, Income, FairPrice slated for opening in May next year

By UMA SHANKARI

CAPITALAND is poised to gain a monopoly of malls in the Ang Mo Kio-Bishan area. BT understands that the property giant's retail division is the front-runner to win the contract to manage the upcoming shopping centre in Ang Mo Kio central, which is expected to open in March next year.

http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-07-17/BT_4445142_17_07_2006.jpg
New hangout: Only half of the mall's space will be open to retailers as at least half must be taken up by SLF, NTUC or their affiliates and other non-profit institutional users

Together with Junction 8 in Bishan, CapitaLand will operate two malls within one train stop from each other.

The mall in Ang Mo Kio, now under construction, is being jointly developed by the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF), NTUC Income and NTUC FairPrice.

SLF acquired the site for the mall from the government at a reduced rate in 2002 after bypassing the usual bidding process - a move that drew fire from developers and retailers.

In response, the Singapore Land Authority, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the SLF explained that the land was directly sold to the SLF at a 'fair market value' because 40 per cent of the development would comprise public and non-institutional uses.

SLF had originally planned to build a 31-storey condominium on the 2.57 ha site, alongside an office block and a new air-conditioned bus interchange. But in 2004, it said that it would construct 'an integrated shopping mall-cum-bus interchange' instead.

The project is now on the verge of completion. The mall will have a gross floor area of 48,250 sq m, and the net lettable area is estimated to be 32,500 sq m.

Construction is due to be completed by the first quarter of next year, and most of the shops will be open by March, said Knight Frank property consultancy. The grand opening is scheduled for May.

The project will be managed by SLF Management Services, which together with Knight Frank is now looking for tenants. Knight Frank confirmed that the mall is on the lookout for a professional mall management company.

Whoever runs the mall will be restricted by conditions that came with the subsidised price tag.

At least 50 per cent of space has to be let out to the SLF, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) or their affiliates and related organisations, private companies majority-owned either individually or jointly by SLF, NTUC, its affiliates and other related organisations, other non-profit institutional users, and users of the bus interchange.

The new mall is expected to face stiff competition from Junction 8, which has established itself as the suburban mall of choice for shoppers in the area.

To overcome all this, the new mall will be marketing itself differently - as a place to cater to everyone in the family. There will be a 'learning hub', which could take up an entire floor. And another floor could be devoted to entertainment, with plans under way for an eight-screen cineplex.

Knight Frank also hopes to line up an exciting retail landscape for residents of Ang Mo Kio, despite being able to devote only half of the mall to retail.

Retail group RSH (formerly known as Royal Sporting House), which distributes labels such as Mango and Bebe in Singapore, and Esprit could both open stores within the shopping centre.

NTUC's FairPrice will be one of the anchor tenants, operating a 7,110 sq m hypermarket.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Looks very small and budget. :(

its hightime Ang Mo Kio town centre got an upgrade anyway...it was starting to look a little old IMO.

small? u cant ask for that much, with J8 just a couple-a-hundred metres away...

actually 32500 sq m is about as big as Tampines Mall which I dun think it's that small......:yes:

For someone staying in AMK, it's been too long a wait. It's obvious that the allotment of half the mall to non-profitable institutions was to justify for the direct sale to SLF. Let's hope this will turn out to be a gain for AMK residents... One thing for sure, J8 has gained from the past 5 yrs and will only continue to gain since there won't be too many competing retail labels here.

For someone staying in AMK, it's been too long a wait. It's obvious that the allotment of half the mall to non-profitable institutions was to justify for the direct sale to SLF. Let's hope this will turn out to be a gain for AMK residents... One thing for sure, J8 has gained from the past 5 yrs and will only continue to gain since there won't be too many competing retail labels here.

I feel both malls would be complementary since they are so close to each other.......:yes:

I feel both malls would be complementary since they are so close to each other.......:yes:
well i assume they r supose to, after its renovation, J8 has been slightly more teen-based with a whole new annex dedicated to teens (n F&B)
since amk mall is family-oriented, it sound complementary
o n whats the final name of the mall? it shouldnt be AMK MALL.... sound abit wrong

Any updates??:?

Y no pics? I wish i had a camera...

I've been passing this project everyday and the progress is amazing. They have begun cladding the building in green glass, with black tiles and red clads.. I don't know how to explain.

One of the tenants is Cathay Cinemas. Accidentally found that out when I was attempting to book tickets for The Departed online. It will open this May.

WAH!!!! There's a cinema?! :eek:

What's the name of this mall? Still nameless?

YAY! AMK is finally getting what it deserves!

Any updates??:?

yah..anyone staying Ang Mo Kio? :D

I am staying @ AMK. Construction for this project is progressing very fast... Workers are working still late nite to rush out this project.

Can't wait for it to be ready :)

Installation of windows some of them completed.

Nameless, mysterious mall.... :eek:\

I find the giant cube cantilivering towards Big Mac Centre quite intimidating. :lol: :runaway:

The naming of the mall is call "AMK Hub" (as stated on the AMK central map). But lack of creative as the "Hub" used for HDB Hub.:?

AMK Hub????

That's an awful name

I remember there was a naming contest?... and they came out with such a lousy name?...

Update: the overhead bridge is almost done..... direct access to the second floor.

There was?

Is "AMK" the official name for the mall? Or is it just the abbreviation of "Ang Mo Kio"?

I am not very sure but mostly use "AMK" instead of "Ang Mo Kio".:|

AMK HUB??!!

This might be use for official name of the mall.

Ai yoh.. like no class leh.. How about tomatotown, Ang Mo Kio Point.. haha...
Any idea when will this shopping center open? Any confirmed tenant?

Not sure who is the tender, but i remember the news was capitaland to run the mall.

I believe there was no tender. The project was given to NTUC, I heard.

I hope they really use "AMK" in AMK Hub. It'd be awkward to call it Ang Mo Kio Hub. Anyway "AMK" reminds me of Mah Boon Krong or MBK Shopping Centre in Bangkok, I keep reminding myself that to console myself over the AMK Hub name.

Jubilee Point sounds nice but tacky.

Just passed by AMK Hub, they have a banner hanging at the entrance to the new bus interchange.

"AMK Hub Topping Out Ceramony, Friday, 27 October, Invited Guests Only"

Just passed by AMK Hub, they have a banner hanging at the entrance to the new bus interchange.

"AMK Hub Topping Out Ceramony, Friday, 27 October, Invited Guests Only"

AMK hub?? hmmm......sounds common......:lol:

AMK Hub.... :lol: hate that name la... :lol:

AMK Hub.... :lol: hate that name la... :lol:

Sound so generic and functional, just like all the street names in AMK!

just keep it as it is--> AMK Central....no need for any ''modern/silly/hip'' names

Is it's change the name to "The Mall@AMK"(the name i suggested), not sure the sound awful or not.

AMK Hub to be completed early next year
27 October 2006 1540 hrs (SST) 0740 hrs (GMT)

SINGAPORE: AMK Hub, a seven-storey retail mall at Ang Mo Kio Central, will be ready early next year, complete with an air-conditioned bus interchange and an underground pass to the nearby MRT station.

Labour chief Lim Boon Heng was at the topping out ceremony, which is to symbolically give the finishing touches to a building.

The new hub will house NTUC's various cooperatives like supermarket chain NTUC Fairprice, its insurance arm NTUC Income, its childcare cooperative, and its recreational NTUC Club - all under one roof.

The fourth floor is expected to be transformed into an integrated entertainment centre, with an eight-screen cineplex.

Some 800,000 residents live around the area in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Hougang, Serangoon and Toa Payoh.

The new mall is expected to add vibrancy to the town centre and the businesses there.

It is estimated to have cost more than $300 million to develop. - CNA/so

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/palmnews/singaporelocalnews/view/237915/1/.html

I saw the billboard, tomorrow's the topping out ceremony of "AMK Hub"...

From Arup website....:yes:

Ang Mo Kio Hub Mall, Singapore

http://www.arup.com/IMAGEBANK/image8223.jpg

With six levels of retail and entertainment, the S$340M Ang Mo Kio Hub Mall is set to become Singapore’s largest neighbourhood mall.

Offering significant cost savings, Arup’s fire strategy increases flexibility of usage without affecting occupant safety. A reduction in the number and width of staircases has rationalised the building’s escape systems, enlarging its net leasable area and improving rental returns.

Without Arup’s fire engineering, the architect’s vision for large, polygonal atrium voids could not have been realised. The architectural intent was for an irregular atrium layout where the void widens with increasing levels.

By rationalising smoke control systems, Arup has enlarged the size of the smoke zone, making it much larger than the prescriptive approach. This reduces the requirement for smoke curtains, which are problematic from an aesthetic and maintenance point of view.

Arup assessed the inherent properties of the supporting steel beams and demonstrated that they will have sufficient stability in fire conditions. This allowed the majority of the beams to be constructed without additional fire protection. This innovative solution is uncommon in Singapore, and reduces upfront labour and material costs, construction time and ongoing maintenance requirements.

Arup separated the bus interchange and concourse waiting area with a window drencher system instead of conventional fire shutters. The benefit of using a window drencher system is that it is cost effective and easy to maintain. This is the first time in Singapore that a drencher system has been used for this purpose.

http://www.arup.com/singapore/project.cfm?pageid=8593

27 Oct 2006
Ang Mo Kio to get new mall next year

An eight-screen cineplex, a hypermarket and more than 250 shops lie in store for Ang Mo Kio residents at the new AMK Hub.

The seven-level retail mall will be completed in the first quarter of 2007.

At the topping-out ceremony, labour chief Lim Boon Heng said the development of AMK Hub was in line with the labour movement's vision of working together to serve all workers.

This is because the mall won't just provide food, shopping and entertainment but also services such as childcare, financial planning and elder care.

Shoppers can carry out their banking and insurance transactions at a business centre.

There will be a lounge for senior citizens to meet and socialise and a pharmacy providing general medicines and patient counselling.

And while parents are busy shopping, they can leave their kids at a nursery within the mall.

The building structure of the mall is complete and work on its facade is underway.

A new fully air-conditioned bus interchange that will be connected to the mall is also expected to open early next year.

Copyright © 2006 MediaCorp Radio New Media Development

A new fully air-conditioned bus interchange that will be connected to the mall is also expected to open early next year

Singapore's second air-conditioned bus interchange??

Singapore's second air-conditioned bus interchange??

Nope.....:)

Should be 3rd....after Toa Payoh and Sengkang.....:yes:

^^ that one at sengkang is horrible... dark and very hot for the bus parking area...

Ya agreed, Sengkang's horrible...

I think Bedok Bus Interchange also needs to be refurbished. It looks so old. I hopr that Bedok Bus Interchange will become an air-con bus interchange station too. LOL.

I agree. Bedok needs to get a new interchange, the place is so 1980s..

Sengkang interchange is terrible. The place is so make-shift and waiting for buses always entails a sniff of carbon monoxide.

But the problem is bedok do not have a temporary site when construction of the new bus interchange.

Aiyo....they really know how to exaggerate (mega mall)....:lol:

Oct 28, 2006
Ang Mo Kio mega mall ready soon

ANG Mo Kio is about four months away from having a new mega mall, a development seen to bring a new buzz to one of Singapore's oldest HDB estates.

Billed as a one-stop retail and entertainment experience, the four-storey AMK Hub with 262 shops will also be a focal point for a range of services provided by National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) cooperatives.

These include a 2,000-sq-ft lounge where the elderly can meet in air-conditioned comfort; a 4,400-sq-ft childcare centre; and an NTUC Club entertainment centre with an eight-screen cineplex.

It will also house FairPrice's first-ever hypermarket and have a mega pharmacy run by NTUC Healthcare, the labour movement's health-care arm

At least 90 per cent of floor space in the $340 million mall has already been taken up by the NTUC cooperatives and stores ranging from fashion and apparel outlets to banks, cafes and eateries.

The 19.3ha complex will also be connected to an air-conditioned bus interchange, slated for completion early next year, and an underpass to Ang Mo Kio MRT station.

Speaking at the mall's

topping-off ceremony yesterday NTUC secretary-general Lim Boon Heng said its completion - hopefully in time for Chinese New Year - will complement the rejuvenation of Ang Mo Kio town centre.

'By having a seamless linkage with the upcoming air-conditioned bus interchange and the underpass to Ang Mo Kio MRT station, the one-stop AMK Hub will also provide greater convenience and accessibility to the contemporary family needs of residents within and beyond Ang Mo Kio,' he said.

Mr Lim believes that with a catchment of some 780,000 residents in Ang Mo Kio and nearby estates in Bishan, Hougang, Serangoon and Toa Payoh, the mall will become a 'buzzing focal point' for young and old alike.

It was a view shared by Mr Seng Han Thong, MP for Yio Chu Kang, who is NTUC assistant secretary-general.

'We foresee that with the completion of AMK Hub, the town centre will be even more vibrant,' he said.

'The mall will attract shoppers from not just Ang Mo Kio, but other parts of Singapore as well.'

Mr Lim also saw the mall's development as reflecting what NTUC spelt out in its Labour Movement 2011 vision for the next five years to serve workers at all levels - from low-income contract workers to executives.

'The AMK Hub development is in line with an exciting phase for the labour movement,' said Mr Lim, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.

Construction of the mall began last year, and when it opens next year it is expected to generate 1,500 jobs.

Dr Chua Yang Liang, head of research at property consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle's office here, said the mall will benefit from the large human traffic flow.

'Such a development will complement the surrounding retail landscape, providing residents and businesses alike with a wider choice of retail opportunities,' he said.

However, Mr Goh Ang Jee who heads an association of neighbourhood shops was less certain.

'We are only small-scale retailers, so it'll be very difficult to compete against such a new large-scale and air-

conditioned mall,' said Mr Goh, who runs a furniture shop in the area.

To cope with the competition, he plans to get shop owners to put their goods on sale more often, and organise stage activities during festive seasons to draw more shoppers.

Ultimately, consumers such as administration officer Jessie Quek, 49, are the ones who stand to benefit.

'We have waited so long for this,' said Madam Quek, who lives a five-minute walk away from the mall. 'Ang Mo Kio Central used to be filled with activity until the old bus interchange was demolished some years ago.'

'We are more than happy to have the bustle back.'

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Huh? 4,6 or 7 storeys?

I saw the billboard, tomorrow's the topping out ceremony of "AMK Hub"...

This is the billboard Cliff was referring to.
Pics are from 27th October.

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/06/061027_amkhub01.jpg

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/06/061027_amkhub02.jpg

Huh? 4,6 or 7 storeys?

Wow I didn't notice the discrepancy. I think they meant 7 floors in total 4 above ground and 3 basement floors. 6 floors of retail space within that 7 floors will be used for retail and one floor for a carpark. Right???

But the problem is bedok do not have a temporary site when construction of the new bus interchange.

maybe have to wait for SERS. :)

maybe have to wait for SERS. :)

I guess before the suitable temporary site is near blk 215, but now is built for SERS flats.

what is SERS?

what is SERS?


Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme(or system? most probably scheme)

government agency of course ;)

9th November 2006

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1897/amkhubbw6.jpg

thats fast!

not quite sure I like the colours though...maybe it'll look more trendy at night

wahh fast, nice

but the backside isn't quite done yet.... :)

10 November 2006
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/41/dsc0024rd1.jpg

10th November 2006

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1897/amkhubbw6.jpg

The cube is so intimidating

The cube is so intimidating

okie lah, but it sure is a dull colour scheme. :(

I think those colors won't stay. More like protecting stickers on the glass ;-)

Taken from a bus today....:yes:
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9522/dscf0048qi9.jpg

It's hard to take a pic with a phone while driving :ohno: , this was taken about 2 weeks ago at the cross junction. Sorry, not very nice pic...you can probably see the reflection of my tissue box on the deck.
http://img325.imageshack.us/img325/8824/amkhubkb8.jpg

^^ Haha ! Cross safely, it says... Also for drivers taking pics as they drive through the intersection, heh ? :-p

15 December 2006
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4043/dsc0013yp6.jpg

http://img273.imageshack.us/img273/4233/dsc0022ia3.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/6747/dsc0029gm9.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/6803/dsc0030xb6.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/282/dsc0031jc4.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/1442/dsc0032qn4.jpg

^ Wow....seems ready......:eek:

nice entrance =0

The red is alittle weird...

^^ quite nice what... got red lor... :lol:

nice entrance =0

Yeh nice one. But too high. not so convenient for wheel-chair bound ppl...

wow quite nice lei .... good for AMK

I like those tropical palms...hope for a large outdoor events space in the design

Yeh nice one. But too high. not so convenient for wheel-chair bound ppl...

hmm? maybe there's a machine to bring those wheel-chair up?

AMK NTUC Fairprice opens yesterday.:)

I wonder how people access the hypermart on B2. The main entrance doesnt seem to be ready, neither are any of the other floors.

The Bus Interchange Glass Berth Doors can be seen already, as well as the bare interiors...

access is via Big Mac Centre. heard it's very crowded since opening day, so will be giving it a miss.

Can change the thread title to AMK HUB.:?

ok changed :)

The main entrance actually brings you to the upper mezzanine floor which is not open to the public yet. Only entrances with direct access to the lower mezzanine floor, which in turn leads to the basement is open to public. There are still a lot of areas which are still cordoned off to the public. As far as I know, only the lower levels has obtained TOP.

Why is the basement at half below ground? This kind of layout not very ideal, kinda like Centrepoint.

The basement is completely below ground level.

I don't understand. AMK Hub although is nearing completion, is not ready for shoppers. Having NTUC Fairprice Xtra, BreadTalk, Bengawan Solo, Bossini, 2 other clothes shops and a drugs store(aka Watsons, Guardian) does not seem to make much economical sense.

By the way, I took a walk in Fairprice Xtra and it was HUUGEEE. Crowded nevertheless, even at 10pm on 1 Jan.

AMK Hub is quite a huge shopping mall actually. Judging by walking down B1 to B2, although the design is abit strange. Go and see for yourselves, you'll know what I mean. Some corridors are very very wide while others are incredibly narrow, aka where Bossini is.

I don't understand. AMK Hub although is nearing completion, is not ready for shoppers. Having NTUC Fairprice Xtra, BreadTalk, Bengawan Solo, Bossini, 2 other clothes shops and a drugs store(aka Watsons, Guardian) does not seem to make much economical sense.


You'd understand the sense behind it a little better if you get an idea what is going on, especially for NTUC Xtra.

This mall was supposed to be open completely at the beginning of the year. The shops, especially the anchor tenants will have their plans drawn up much earlier. These plans include the internal layout planning, actual renovation works, purchasing of goods and working towards an opening date.

These people would have ordered their goods to be delivered on site months before, including perishables which they can't simply cancel or return the order. Nobody knows that the mall will be late and since they can't return the orders, everybody will work towards the opening dateline by hook or by crook even though the rest of the mall is not ready. They open the mall part by part in accordance to priority. Nobody wants a supermarket load of perishables to perish. Contrary to what you think, it makes a lot of economical sense. Look at the crowd, ready or not, those people flocked to the supermarket the day it opened. I was there.

Been there twice already since this is replacing a temporary Fairprice that was closer to my place, just next to Grandeur 8 condo. Access to the hypermart is not very convenient at the moment. The hypermart is quite big with a large range of products. Fresh products also seem to be of better quality than at your usual NTUC supermarket, although maybe that's just because it's just opened and they want to lure people ;-)

The shopping mall is actually quite large, much larger than it looks from outside since the two basement floors are really huge.
A Cathay cinema is slatted to open there in May \o/
I wonder what will happen to Eng Wah at the Jubilee Mall next door... I don't think it can compete.

Fresh products also seem to be of better quality than at your usual NTUC supermarket, although maybe that's just because it's just opened and they want to lure people ;-)


Its quite a known fact that NTUC categorises its supermarkets. Some get better stuff than the others. This being the flagship hypermarket, should be getting the good stuff.

Ha... Twas not a known fact to me... Cool ^ ^

Think it's got nothing to do with the perishables and everything to do with the fact that NTUC is 1 of the develoers. It only makes a lot of economical sense to start business when it's ready.
Something's wrong with the carpark structure, the corner next to the travellator leading to NTUC is a dead end. I saw many cars stuck at the corner, not able to reverse...
Many inconsiderate drivers are also making illegal U-turns to get into the entrance of the hub. Sigh...think LTA should do something about this...

Think it's got nothing to do with the perishables and everything to do with the fact that NTUC is 1 of the develoers. It only makes a lot of economical sense to start business when it's ready.


Wasn't that what I said??? To start business as soon as they possibly can.

For me, I can't wait for the opening of AMK Hub. I stay in AMK for the last 25++ year. Since the demolish of the old NTUC Fairprice and Oriental Emporium, biz in AMK and the resident suffer a lot.

With the new AMK Hub, it spice up and revive life back to the "New" central. For so long I have not seen crowd at AMK central, and I look forward to enjoy the crowd and atmosphere during the Chinese New Year period.

Wasn't that what I said??? To start business as soon as they possibly can.
I disagree it has anything to do with the perishables and it has more to do with them being the developer ie. political reasons la.
Yes @tahoo, the mall is long overdue...and while we are still waiting for it to be ready, it remains an understatement.

If it was opened for the reasons you claimed, then why aren't NTUC Income, NTUC Childcare and Seniorcare in that same particular building opened at the same time?

If it was opened for the reasons you claimed, then why aren't NTUC Income, NTUC Childcare and Seniorcare in that same particular building opened at the same time?
relax @kit, I can't answer for NTUC, u shud ask them. But like you already mentioned, what we know is, they're 1 of the developers and can decide what they want to start first.

I went there, quite nice, alot of stairs though, strange for a town with an aging population.

Just saw the name "AMK HUB" placed on the mall. It looks so.... child-like. :(

Actually I believe the reason for the rush to open the new hypermarket is because the lease on the temporary site is going to be due soon. :yes:

Is it fully opened already?

B1 and B2 are fully opened and about 70% occupied maybe.
The underpass to the MRT station is fitted with escalators and signage already and probably due to open soon.

The rest of the mall is still vacant with fitting works going on.

Actually I believe the reason for the rush to open the new hypermarket is because the lease on the temporary site is going to be due soon. :yes:

Yes, and maybe the building was agreed contractually to open earlier? I'm sure some other tenants would have their lease expired elsewhere too...but they may not have the call or the size to justify an exclusive earlier opening than the rest. Whether is it because of the size of the hypermart or because of it's developer status, it's great to have a hypermart sooner in AMK :cheers: