Passed by the Straits trading building in the morning, discovered that the main entrance has been locked and all the shops (including a local stock broker at the first floor) has also stop operating. A redevelopment of this number one - most ugly building should be in the pipeline.

Now that's good news :-)

this is the really ugly building behind hsbc right?

would it be reclad or do we think it could be actually knocked down and rebuilt?

this is the really ugly building behind hsbc right?

would it be reclad or do we think it could be actually knocked down and rebuilt?

Quote:

The Group is developing a new commercial building at its previous Raffles Place site to replace its former Straits Trading Building. It also owns commercial properties outside Singapore such as the Straits Trading Building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

http://www.stc.com.sg/home.php?

They want to rebuild another one in harbourfront right?

great that its going to be redeveloped then....its just awful

When is it going to be demolished?

^^

some information from an article in the Business Times:

15 Sep 06

"Mainboard-listed Straits Trading is expected to tear down its namesake office building at Battery Road next month and build a new 25-storey office tower on the site."

http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-09-15/BT_4779758_15_09_2006.jpg

It's ugly I'll say....

8 October 2006

It is getting prepared for demolition

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/st0810.jpg

25 stories? They could go taller than that on that site couldn't they? It's right in the middle of the cluster. Excellent news though, it'll be goodto see the end of that brute of a building.
On a side note, what are they doing to HSBC in that pic? That isn't the start of a reclad is it? If so, YAY!

I'm not sure if theres anything going on at HSBC...its base was recladded just 2 years ago :yes:

Yikes!!!! Better take photos soon!!!

I'm going to miss it:( The building has always been in pics of OUB Centre...

Will try and drop down ASAP. Tied down by outings and projects.

I'm not sure if theres anything going on at HSBC...its base was recladded just 2 years ago :yes:

Yeah, I know that but I was wondering if the base reclad was just the first phase of a planned total reclad... It would be really nice to see the whole building reclad in a similar style.

They certainly seem to be doing something to the wall in this pic:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/st0810.jpg

Ah well, was just hoping!

time for hsbc bldg to change its color..

Straits Trading under demolition

No pics, but the building is now completely gone... That's quite a change actually !

I'd never bothered to take proper pics of it before it was announced that it would be redeveloped...glad I managed to get its final moments! :happy:

Wow, so fast!

Any renderings of the new 25-storey office block?

Not seen one yet...maybe it will be announced. I dont think construction has started?

Well I hope there will be renderings soon! New and iconic buildings are good :D

How come like so secretive?
haha

Its going to be 29 floor.

Whos the architect?

Okay, 29-storeys is a decent height.

29 floors seems quite high for such a small plot...it'll be almost as high as the NTUC Building.

At least it is not fugly like the current one. So long as it is not ugly, I am fine with it.

Straits Trading pumps in S$60m for construction of new building
By Jonathan Peeris/Pamela Almeda, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 23 January 2008 0004 hrs


Photos 1 of 1





SINGAPORE : Singapore-listed Straits Trading Company is pumping in some S$60 million to build a new building.

It will be developed on the site of the old Straits Trading Building and is expected to be completed in 2009.

Agents for the New Straits Trading Building said they see strong demand for premium mid-sized office space.

A new 28-storey Straits Trading Building will rise in the heart of Singapore's financial district.

There will only be two tenants per floor, with about 8,400 square feet for a typical column free office.

This may be small compared to an average of 18,000 square feet for offices at the Marina Bay Financial Centre.

However, the marketing agents said that there will be demand from multinational companies and financial institutions that want to locate near Raffles Place.

Calvin Yeo, Director, Commercial Leasing, Colliers International, said, "Unlike the new supply that is coming up in the new downtown, Straits Trading Building will meet the demand for tenants requiring a prime office address...there are no new developments coming up in Battery Road and this would be an opportunity for tenants requiring that premium address."

Rentals would likely be at S$18 per square foot.

That is comparable to other buildings nearby such as 6 Battery Road.

The new building will also have unique design features such as two open air sky gardens and concierge services for tenants.

Norman Ip, CEO, Straits Trading, said, "I won't say it's really super luxurious, it's more practical in raising the standards, because I think people's expectations all have gone up...so definitely we aim for better quality."

Construction is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2009. - CNA/ms

From the ST:

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20080122/ST_IMAGES_JTSTRAITS.jpg

From the ST:

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20080122/ST_IMAGES_JTSTRAITS.jpg

Neat!
Looking at the rendering it could be about as tall as 6 Battery Road and Bank of China.

Wow.

A nice addition to the skyline,,

From the ST:

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20080122/ST_IMAGES_JTSTRAITS.jpg

Nice! I like the fact that more and more developers are integrating sky terraces within their developments!

However, it somehow reminds me of the Bond Centre in Hong Kong ;)

Nice! I like the fact that more and more developers are integrating sky terraces within their developments!

However, it somehow reminds me of the Bond Centre in Hong Kong ;)

thats exactly what i thought. can always see from HK movies

Interesting... not what I expected tho

def nt a WOW factor...:)

look closely at the chafferd and jagged edge.
r they in line or they are showing different angles and shapes and size??

look closely at the chafferd and jagged edge.
r they in line or they are showing different angles and shapes and size??

i only see ugly...hah:lol:

It looks nice and glassy, but a little boring...seems like the future buildings are all in this style now...

25th January 2008

Piling in progress
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080125_straits_trading_building01.jpg

According to this diagram there will be no lift core :-)
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080125_straits_trading_building02.jpg
My guess: there will be a catapult at the ground floor for people going to the higher sections. For getting down, only one way:
:badnews:

Nice illustration..

Thanks for the construction updates!

haha...of course there will be lift cores. although glassy, its still differentiate itself from the rest of the pack by having garden levels.

21 June 2008

Finally emerging out of the ground

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/straits2106.jpg

what a small floor plate size office. i think big companies will not consider it.

25th January 2008

Piling in progress
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080125_straits_trading_building01.jpg

According to this diagram there will be no lift core :-)
http://ssc.singapenguin.net/08/080125_straits_trading_building02.jpg
My guess: there will be a catapult at the ground floor for people going to the higher sections. For getting down, only one way:
:badnews:

Maybe they'll borrow one of those teleporters from the power rangers. :P

13 September 2008

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

3 Jan 2009

Good progress, around 10 flr or more now.

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/3082/img0710yl0.th.jpg (http://img55.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0710yl0.jpg)

24 Jan 09

Probably reached about 11/12 floor, did not really count but good progress, could see progress each week as I walked by.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6098/img0845cz1.th.jpg (http://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0845cz1.jpg)

Did a count yesterday, it is about 14 floor or more now, from the ground, can't see the lift core, so probabbly reached a higher floor already.

The progress on this is quite fast, the glass cladding is also going up on the other side.

What colour?

A predictable blue.

what's with the blues?!
their only color palette consists of greens and blues?!:ohno:

28 February 2009

About the same level as HSBC now.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/straits2802.jpg

I think this construction is next to the Straits Trading Building...or is it the same? Looks different stage as to last pic posted above.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/483676983_W49SB-XL.jpg

Just imagine had it been in black glass, like the scaffolding. :lol:

I think this construction is next to the Straits Trading Building...or is it the same? Looks different stage as to last pic posted above.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/483676983_W49SB-XL.jpg

Its the same site. Not very easy to photograph this building, but soon it will start appearing in skyline shots as it grows taller :)

If you wanna have a vantage point of the building to take photos, you might want to try taking from the area along the Esplanade Walk, or what's that called? You know... the area across where the Merlion used to stand.

If you talking about the end of the Esplanade Walk, that is around the place which i took the pic :)

If you wanna have a vantage point of the building to take photos, you might want to try taking from the area along the Esplanade Walk, or what's that called? You know... the area across where the Merlion used to stand.

Erm. I think I meant the area between Cavenagh Bridge and Esplanade Bridge. hahas.

14th March 2009

http://ssc.singapenguin.net/09/20090314_straits_trading_building_01.jpg
I think it has reached its second mechanical floor.

Damn,this tower is going up fast.Went to the bay today,and it is visibly taller than the HSBC building.Any idea how tall it's gonna be?160m?170m?

29 March 2009

It is indeed visibly taller now.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/straits2903.jpg

Could actually be a nice beacon that complements Maybank,seeing that it's all glass on the outside.But part of it might get blocked by HSBC and Tung Center.

At least still it will have a frontage that will never be blocked as it is behind fullerton and nothing will be built on fullerton...

Haha, funny, previously everyone was glad the Straits Trading building was blocked by other buildings ;-) I wouldn't worry too much about the new one, it is like 10 floors taller than HSBC, and that should be a good 40 meters difference at least, so unless you're directly in front HSBC, you'll be able to see it.

Haha, funny, previously everyone was glad the Straits Trading building was blocked by other buildings ;-) I wouldn't worry too much about the new one, it is like 10 floors taller than HSBC, and that should be a good 40 meters difference at least, so unless you're directly in front HSBC, you'll be able to see it.

How tall is it exactly?I know it's 28 floors but how many metres?It's definately shorter than Maybank right?

There's something about this building that just catches my eye.I keep getting attracted to it everytime I walk along Marina Bay.

Could it be that it's under construction, so sticks out more? I've noticed that it is now quite distracting on the skyline and hope they clad it up soon.

Yea,could also be its location behind fullerton,in between HSBC/Maybank.The fact that it's taller than HSBC makes it refreshing,somewhat like a linkup/stepdown in height from the trinity.I'm pretty sure this building will turn out to be quite prominent.

completed just in time for the full blown recession...

rental 1sgd/sq ft?

Reaching full height liao?

Reaching full height liao?

Not quite there yet,but at 28 floors,should be around NTUC/Maybank height,but probably 15-20m shorter.

Could it be that it's under construction, so sticks out more? I've noticed that it is now quite distracting on the skyline and hope they clad it up soon.

Nah it's not that distracting.At least people will notice the level of development that's going on within the old CBD.We certainly don't want a repeat of Republic Plaza,where many Singaporeans didn't even know it exist.It just came on to the skyline quietly.Many still don't know where Republic Plaza is.

Actually,I'm surprised that this thread is so quiet...I mean this building is close to the waterfront,very visible,has an interesting design,and is gonna TOP soon,yet no one is interested =(

Design too simple, height limit too low I suppose.

^^
I believe the height for this building is designed so it serves as a proper step-up to Maybank and the trinity.A beautiful beacon nonetheless.I juz realized this is probably the only full glass tower to rise up in the old CBD.Will bring more reflected sunlight to this area ^o^

What will be the colour of the cladding here?

^^
I think it's gonna be glassy light blue,which will complement Maybank.

i think due to it's height, it's just gonna blend in with the rest of the buildings. some people may not even notice it. unless they can light it up well at night.

^^
I guess it'll be more prominent once it's all done and lighted up.Kind of something like Maybank ya know?Nobody really noticed it until now,with the rainbow lighting.

^^

I'm not sure if this will really be it's lighting scheme at night, but it is shown here in URA's rendering:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline08/skyline08-05/images/page7.jpg

^^
Surprised that they didn't include Sands.Ocean Financial Center seems small in the pic.Nice rendering ^o^

TOP for this building? Saw it last week, and it was way taller than HSBC.

Slightly lower than Maybank tower. Nice building, but 3/4 blocked by HSBC building.:bash:

TOP for this building? Saw it last week, and it was way taller than HSBC.

^^

I'm not sure if this will really be it's lighting scheme at night, but it is shown here in URA's rendering:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline08/skyline08-05/images/page7.jpg

Noticed that this magnificent The Sail is not performing its duty well and contribute towards the illumination of the entire skyline despite of its privileged position.

^^
I guess The Sail is meant to be appreciated from the Marina Barrage or the future walkway along Sands. Some ppl don't even know that there are 2 buildings (parangs) that comprise of The Sail, and both of them must be viewed in unison in order to appreciate its architecture fully.

Plateau cityscape

plateau from afar, from near it still works la, cos geographically the existing raffles place core is much closer to most vantage points from padang and esplanade, so the peak there is quite pronounced.

Orchard considered plateau? lol...

But the ultimate plateaus would be our older hdb estates.

Older? Like Toa Payoh, Queenstown and even Ang Mo Kio?

Older? Like Toa Payoh, Queenstown and even Ang Mo Kio?

Yea... especially Bedok, Simei, Clementi... AMK and TP having more and more highrise flats.

^^
They just cladded the 2nd segment with some cool dark blue glass. Looks fierce at night, like some monstrous black glass structure glancing at you. Unique addition to our skyline.

taken yesterday:

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4402/200905173217.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/452/200905173918.jpg
By simon1991 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simon1991) at 2009-05-17

Noticed that this magnificent The Sail is not performing its duty well and contribute towards the illumination of the entire skyline despite of its privileged position.

YA!!! the sail is seriously overhyped

YA!!! the sail is seriously overhyped

Curvy from the front, ugly from the back, all in the wrong proportions.

lol. and such bad fengshui for mbfc.

taken yesterday:

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4402/200905173217.jpg

Looking at this ^^ and this render:
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20080122/ST_IMAGES_JTSTRAITS.jpg

I'd say only one or two more floor plates to go!

It blends in well with the skyline, creating a nice step-down effect, compared with the former building that was totally hidden.

Reminds me of Lippo Centre

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lippo_Centre,_Hong_Kong

Friday 22May09

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/544433618_KjHDq-XL.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/544449553_DYQo4-XL.jpg

^^
Nice, but I don't want it to be too tall in that it blocks the Land Tower. It's reaching TOP soon. Think they're working on the roof right now. Same with the MBFC towers. And OFC's rising ^o^

Nice angles lifestyle :cool:

Thanks wonuraimo & RafflesCity.

Taken on May 28th


Taken from Fullerton, a nice view of the frontage
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu276/wonuraimo/MarinaBay012-1.jpg


A lot of discussion as to whether it'll block the Land Tower logo, thus I took this pic.
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu276/wonuraimo/MarinaBay027-1.jpg

Lovely. It's growing on me. Reckon it should be externally completed by 3Q of this year.

^^
Considering the roof structure, there might be a slight chance of it blocking the Land Tower logo. Then again it depends on your vantage point. I'm really interested to see the lighting scheme for this one. It's in a very prominent position beside Maybank.

i think the falcum point of the crane is the highest point of the roof. Just 1-2 more floors they're done, next to erect the roof structure.

17June09

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/567364240_EZ4VR-XL.jpg

That's probably the roof crown?

Yes it is. Topped as of today. Even with the crown still to be cladded, it's looking good and a nice transition between HSBC and Land Tower ^ ^

Structure frame of the roof crown can be seen now...

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/570690671_kADwp-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/570688543_5x3c7-XL.jpg

Wow, it's beautiful. Really strengthens the skyline.

June 26 2009

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/3665868962_5fbc206efc_o.jpg

30June09

Looking up...
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/578308901_oMaqx-XL.jpg

Roof structure looking good...:banana:
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/578312164_moUed-XL.jpg

Based of the roof structure..
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/578308426_ChdSW-XL.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/578208327_mpqHd-XL.jpg

Cool pics, thanks :-)
Did you go up UOB's sky lobby?

6th July 2009


Looking great!!
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu276/wonuraimo/MarinaBay052-1.jpg

Very nice! One of the best views of the Straits Trading building I have found so far is from the Esplanade Drive bridge.

I remember all the criticisms and negative comments on this thread about this building when it was just starting to raise. Always better to judge when it is finished :)

^^
Same goes for MBFC and double helix bridge. All the criticisms flying in like flies even when construction is not even finished. I prefer to be more optimistic, and feel that these new developments will further beautify our country, and any visual benefit they bring will be on the positive side.

Very nice! One of the best views of the Straits Trading building I have found so far is from the Esplanade Drive bridge.


It also looks good when seen from the Esplanade area. Its height and massing appear to complement the Hitachi Building and I think its colour forms a good contrast with its neighbours, like in this pic posted by ahlipp. Hope it will have a nicely lit crown.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9985/dscf0397x.jpg

It also looks good when seen from the Esplanade area. Its height and massing appear to complement the Hitachi Building and I think its colour forms a good contrast with its neighbours, like in this pic posted by ahlipp. Hope it will have a nicely lit crown.


Definitely. Nice with lit up crown. Like the slope of the roof. Matching with other sloping roof of neighbouring tower.

^^
It definitely needs some strong lighting effects, as it is beside the glowing Maybank.

20th July

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu276/wonuraimo/Me009.jpg


http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu276/wonuraimo/Me003.jpg


http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu276/wonuraimo/Me008.jpg

Nice pics, thanks!
Green glass now creeping into the 'historical' skyline ;-)

who is the anchor tenant?

A vast improvement to what was there and a net contributor to the skyline :)

A very nice complement to the skyline indeed.

I just hope they won't leave the apparent ceiling and columns of the atrium between the blocks of the building as they are know. A dark painting would give the building a fascinating aura.

Adds up to the density very nicely :yes:

Definitely fills the "void"/blank canvas behind HSBC

they have completed the cladding for the crown..
indeed a beauty at its simplicity..:)

who is the anchor tenant?

Some info on the tenants in this article:

Office leasing scene - musical chairs with extra seats

5 Aug 09

(SINGAPORE) There's a buzz in the office leasing market. Many new leasings are at the expense of space being given up in existing locations as occupiers are drawn to better-value propositions in newer buildings. But a few are taking up more space in their new locations than what they are giving up in their existing premises to cater to future increases in headcount.

'It's not all musical chairs. There's also a smattering of improved headcount numbers, even as most occupiers chase lower cost, better value locations,' a seasoned office property consultant said.

Another office consultant, Knight Frank director of office leasing Agnes Tay, said: 'I don't expect net office demand to turn positive this quarter, but the negative demand will be smaller in the second half of this year. Companies in general are more optimistic now compared to the end of last year. More of them are now taking a position on headcount and real estate requirements and a few are even making plans for future growth.'

Much of the leasing activity has centred on new buildings - including Mapletree Anson and Straits Trading Building.

More than 80 per cent of Straits Trading Building is said to be let out, ahead of its completion later this year.

Tenants are said to include Rajah & Tann (which is understood to be taking up at least 80,000-90,000 sq ft), overseas law firm Conyers Dill & Pearman and serviced office operator Asia-Pacific Business Centre. Colliers International is said to have brokered these leasing deals.

Rajah & Tann is expected to move from its existing premises at Bank of China Building nearby; Conyers, which is leasing a floor at Straits Trading Building, will move from Singapore Land Tower.

Over in the Anson Road/Tanjong Pagar corner of the CBD, Mapletree Anson, which received Temporary Occupation Permit recently, is said to be 35 per cent let out, with more than 100,000 sq ft leased. Tenants include AON, QBE (both involved in the insurance and reinsurance business) and a Japanese MNC, understood to be Sumitomo.

AON is moving from Singapore Land Tower, QBE from OCBC Centre and Sumitomo from Equity Plaza. CB Richard Ellis is said to have brokered the three leasing deals in the project.

Tenants are said to have been drawn to Mapletree Anson's efficient floor plates, with column-free space of 20,000 sq ft per floor allowing more effective layout of workstations.

A stone's throw away, a La Salle Investment Management fund will be completing its 20 Anson Road project in a few months.

Both office buildings have attained Singapore's highest green building certification of Green Mark Platinum.

An office developer said: 'Most of the leasing deals in the past six to nine months involve relocations or consolidation from several buildings into a single location. In contrast, 12 to 24 months ago, leasing deals involved occupiers upsizing their space requirements.'

Jones Lang LaSalle's head of markets, Singapore, Chris Archibold said: '2009 will be a negative take-up year but in terms of market activity, leasing deals will be higher in the second half of this year. A lot of relocation is being driven by consolidation or downsizing rather than expansion. Hopefully, expansion will come back next year. There are tenants with passing rents below current market rents and who are therefore looking for cheaper alternatives like new buildings in peripheral CBD locations.'

Office consultants expect office rents to continue easing for the rest of this year - but at a slower pace. The demand is still weak but there is substantial supply coming on the market in the next few years.

According to government figures, the pipeline supply for the office sector stood at about 13.3 million sq ft gross floor area as at end-Q2 2009, of which about 12 million sq ft is slated for completion by 2012.

JLL's average monthly rental value for prime Grade A Raffles Place (small space) stood at $9.50 psf in Q2 2009, about half the peak figure of $18.40 psf in Q3 last year.

By KALPANA RASHIWALA
Business Times

Fri 18Sep09

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/653411229_juXmw-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/653409976_iewFF-L-1.jpg

Good fengshui logo?

Is this one of the building that has a lighting scheme?

not sure, i think not. The building with lighting scheme is the ceaser pelli one - the Ocean Financial Center.

^^

It has a lighting scheme. The crown of the building is lighted up in a bright sea-green colour. Very striking and nice. Actually all the new buildings in downtown MUST have a lighting scheme.

28Feb10

http://lifestyle.smugmug.com/photos/798704899_VJs5H-X2.jpg

Straits Trading building has a very nice podium.
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu22/don_diego_2000/IMG_0735.jpg

I like the dark cladding too.
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu22/don_diego_2000/IMG_0736.jpg

^^

It has a lighting scheme. The crown of the building is lighted up in a bright sea-green colour. Very striking and nice. Actually all the new buildings in downtown MUST have a lighting scheme.

I think the new downtown's lighting looks very nice and classy. Maybank Tower looks nice now with its new lighting.

The Straits Trading font in red is ugly. They should use better one..and choose white LED.

Its good luck for chinese...

The Straits Trading font in red is ugly. They should use better one..and choose white LED.

White LED lights are the safest you can never go wrong! I agree the red lights are ugly! In that part of the CBD, you need to stand out esspecially when you are next to Maybank Tower (nice lighting at night) and behind Fullerton Hotel.

With red lighting, you can see from far. The Maybank Tower's lighting doesn't stand out too much if you're looking at it from say, East Coast Park or Orchard.

With red lighting, you can see from far. The Maybank Tower's lighting doesn't stand out too much if you're looking at it from say, East Coast Park or Orchard.

The Maybank Towers lighting makes it stand out. If you watch the 2009 Formula one race, you would know what i mean. Furthermore, the lights on Maybank Tower can change colours. It can also show diffrent patterns.

The Maybank Towers lighting makes it stand out. If you watch the 2009 Formula one race, you would know what i mean. Furthermore, the lights on Maybank Tower can change colours. It can also show diffrent patterns.

yeah i was pleasantly surprised when maybank had this multi-colored patterned light display going on during the formula one race. it added so much 'life' to our skyline than just having static lights.

yeah i was pleasantly surprised when maybank had this multi-colored patterned light display going on during the formula one race. it added so much 'life' to our skyline than just having static lights.

It really did add life and colour to our skyline during the night race. To me, it is the one that stood out the most. I wonder which building will stand out the most this year with the new IR and the new MBFC.