International Plaza at Tanjong Pagar going for a makeover.....:eek:
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3076/dsc0013gd9.jpg

Picture from Lianhe Zaobao 2/9/06

http://www.zaobao.com/images/smzaobao.jpg
2006-09-02
耗资1500万为期一年　　凯联大厦翻新“上色”

● 吴慧敏

丹戎巴葛地铁站旁、拥有30年历史的凯联大厦(International Plaza),将耗资1500万元改头换面一番。在为期一年的翻新工程完成后,凯联大厦将由一栋黯淡的陈旧大楼,摇身成为一个五光十色的“珠宝盒”。

　　翻新的重点主要在大厦的垫楼外观,原本的深色玻璃窗外,将装上一种特殊的铝制板。入夜后,红、蓝、绿、紫的璀璨灯火将照在一格格的铝制板上,于夜幕中不断变色。

　　凯联大厦的房地产经理梁国华告诉本报,这种为大厦“上色”的技术,来自美国的Luxeon LED灯光效果,除了为大厦增添活力和时尚感,也符合政府的“市区亮灯计划”。

　　今年初,市区重建局宣布,为了让新加坡也拥有像香港、上海或巴黎一样的璀璨市区夜景,它将在未来五年拨出1000万元,供中央商业区和滨海湾内想安装灯光系统的现有大厦业主申请。

　　梁国华透露,凯联大厦的新外墙,包括喷漆,就占了整个翻新工程的三分之一经费,即大约497万元。不过,房管公司已经与市建局沟通,申请亮灯津贴。

市区最高大楼之一

　　位于安顺路的凯联大厦,是天德集团在市区重建局的第三幅土地出售活动中买下来发展的。1976年完工后,这栋52层楼高的综合性大楼就一直具有地标意义,是本地市区中最高的大楼之一。

　　凯联大厦的8层垫楼包括了177家商店、3家餐厅、一家银行和592个停车位。塔楼的第9层至35层是办公室;第36层主要租给珊顿医疗集团(Shenton Medical Group),其余楼面由管委会和房管公司占有。37楼以上则容纳了210个公寓单位。

　　据了解,天德集团目前仍持有凯联大厦大约二三成的楼面,其余的已经以分层地契的方式卖给不同的业主。

　　或许因为如此,整栋大楼的租户组合相当多样化,除了道琼斯新加坡公司、CNBC亚洲、会计与企业管制局(ACRA)、美国人力资源公司Kelly Services、职总Learning Hub、屈臣氏(Watson)等,还包括律师行、会计公司和各类中小型企业。

　　梁国华说,大厦在最繁忙的工作时段,可达到8000人的使用量,在管理和维修方面是一大挑战,要迎合894名业主的利益,更不容易。

　　不过,这次的翻新工程已在常年大会中获得100%的支持,所有的翻新经费将来自储备金,业主不需要再另外掏腰包。

　　大厦内部将耗资719万元翻新,这包括在一至三层换上意大利进口的石英地砖和墙砖,让整个大堂和电梯间显得较为明亮。公共空间的指示牌也会被更新。

　　目前主要由公寓住客使用的第36层和37层设施也会换上“新装”。游泳池四周将换上新的砖块并安装热水系统,36层也会加建一个现代化的健身室,至于37层的羽球场地板也会铺上新的防护漆。

　　卓登国际研究部主管陈瑞谨指出,水仙门中心(High Street Centre)的办公楼和商店在翻新后,租金上涨了5%至10%。他估计,凯联大厦也会有类似的租金上升潜能。

　　目前,凯联大厦的商店租金约每平方英尺11至12元,公寓转售价约每平方英尺400多元。

I hate it when the english and chinese papers differ so much in content... Its more tedious to read chinese, especially on the pc when I have to install language packs...

Summary anyone??? Thanks...

I am actually too lazy to plough through the chinese to read it, because mine is so poor.:(

Anyways ,from the pic, I am quite excited! Hope they touch up the top too.

Thats awesome! :eek:

about time International Plaza had a revamp to keep up with its younger neighbours....the Tanjong Pagar area is getting a new lease of life in future with more residential projects and hotels planned.

^ Yes.....hopefully they'll revamp and light up the apartment as well.....:yes:

Colourful design seems to be the "in" thing now.....look at the new bishan library.....:yes:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=390157

colourful buildings trend - still a decade or so behind cutting edge trends

well...not sure how much can or should be changed since International Plaza is a 30-year old design....the tower portion should remain as it is, and it is lighted up at night anyways

I guess they are trying to make the street level more exciting......:yes:

yup street level is important...the main entrance of International Plaza is really showing its age :yes:

yup street level is important...the main entrance of International Plaza is really showing its age :yes:

So does the interior.....too dark and uninspiring.....:yes:

^^

lots of small eateries inside...but the ventilation is a bit weak...so its a bit smelly :lol:

the toilets need a makeover too!

^^

lots of small eateries inside...but the ventilation is a bit weak...so its a bit smelly :lol:

the toilets need a makeover too!

:lol:

I only remember that the Burger King close on weekends.....:no:

hmmm...I was there on Saturday and it was open for lunch though...dunno about evening...

btw did the article mention when they will start work?

hmmm...I was there on Saturday and it was open for lunch though...dunno about evening...

btw did the article mention when they will start work?

Hmmm....didn't mention.....but they did mention that there would be interior renovation as well......:yes:

Lots of great eateries inside internatinal plaza. The mee siams and the nasi lemaks not forgetting Laksas and the old Hans cafe. I guess the inside should be as it is at leat at some parts. It gives IP a dinstinct caracter as supposed with all the new coffeeshop and foodcourts around the area.

I guess they are trying to make the street level more exciting......:yes:

HSBC, anyone?:p

International Plaza to undergo $15m makeover

7 Sep 06

Key CBD building's managers believe its upgrading will bring benefits


THE regeneration of the Central Business District (CBD) is gaining pace, with another major building being refurbished.

http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-09-07/BT_4729286_06_09_2006.jpg

The 30-year-old International Plaza will have a $15 million makeover, with the cost coming from its sinking fund.

Colin Tan, head of research at Chesterton International, the property managers for International Plaza, believes the refurbishment will bring a range of benefits.

'The rentals for office and retail for High Street Centre were about 5-10 per cent higher after the upgrading. So I would expect about the same for International Plaza,' he said.

High Street Centre was refurbished in 2005 at a cost of about $10 million.

Decisions on refurbishing strata-titled buildings in the CBD, like International Plaza and High Street Centre, are hampered by a need for a consensus among the many owners.

More common these days is the complete redevelopment of old buildings with single owners, such as Natwest Centre and No 1 Shenton Way.

Mr Tan, noting that the collective en bloc sale of strata-titled commercial buildings is difficult, said: 'In most older residential developments, a substantial number of units are fully paid. The rest have smaller outstanding loan amounts. When commercial units are involved, their owners often pledge or re-finance their units in return for commercial loans needed for expansion or for the daily operating costs of their businesses.'

The overall office rental index for all areas may have increased by 6.5 per cent quarter on quarter in 2Q06 but some believe this might have an adverse effect on the pace of the CBD's revamp.

Nicholas Mak, director of research and consultancy at Knight Frank, says: 'With rents going up, owners are less likely to make changes as this will mean disrupting existing tenants' business.'

Office rents at older buildings like International Plaza outside the prime Raffles Place area are between $3.50 and $4 per square foot (psf) per month. Newer buildings outside the prime area can fetch higher rents - the recently redeveloped Parakou Building on Robinson Road is seeking $4-$5 psf per month. Yet, the prospect of better rents has not sparked a wave of change in the CBD. 'There need to be more incentives,' Mr Mak said.

International Plaza, which will have an elaborate LED facade, may be entitled to a new government cash incentive provided to developers for lighting up CBD buildings, which is capped at $500,000.

In some areas, revised plot ratios have had an impact on the number of residential collective en bloc sales.

However, buildings like International Plaza are already built up to their maximum gross floor area (GFA).

Anson House, which has just been put up for sale by tender, is also built to its maximum GFA, although the office spaces can be reconfigured to provide more lettable area.

Anson House is marketed by Savills Singapore, whose director of investment sales, Steven Ming, said: 'The investment potential for Anson House is from its rental yield.'

That Anson House is fully leased does bode well for the office market outside of Raffles Place, and some investors are beginning to take notice. Allco Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (Allco Reit) recently bought a redeveloped office building at 55 Market Street for $72.5 million. It also owns China Square Central.

Investors like Allco Reit will determine the future of the older CBD. Allco fund manager Nick McGrath says the rents at 55 Market Street are 15-30 per cent less than Raffles Place offices and it is 'perfect for smaller tenants who want a Raffles Place address but a rental which is less than what they would pay in the premium towers'.

By Arthur Sim

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/raptorsuperb/IMGP5435.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/raptorsuperb/IMGP5435.jpg

Yes, they seemed to have started work on the tower portion for several months now, but so far, have yet to see any changes to the base.

Thanks for moving it to this thread! Btw, they are only changing the base? Or the facade as well?

I thought there was news they are reviewing if an enbloc is possible instead of spending so much money on a superficial facade makeover that doesn't really increase the value of the building ?

actually they have started work, starting from the inside of the building. ie 3 levels of retail shops are under now major makeover - ceiling, floor, toilets all hacked from level 3 onwards. it'll be nice to see the insides dressed up in italian imported tiles..

facade works should start soon although I'm skeptical that they can meet the dec 2007 deadline as stated on the board outside the blg...

according to an earlier report IP is already built up to its max GFA.

according to an earlier report IP is already built up to its max GFA.

Well it is a hulking mass, quite unlike other buildings in Singapore...

what does international plaza house before the refurbishment?

Arn't they just doing the base?

what does international plaza house before the refurbishment?

The podium has some retail and offices. Then you can look at the last pic, all the taller floors till the very tall floor at the 2/3 of the building are offices. The very tall floor is mechanical and also, I think the swimming pool. Then everything above that is residential. On the top there are two absolutely huge penthouses with enormous gardens, that are, until the Sail is completed, the highest apartments in Singapore. They easily have the best view available on the CBD, and also a nice view on the Strait.

Anyone got new renders?

I believe theyre cleaning the tower portion. Had a quick glance at the building recently and a corner looked whiter than the rest of the building.

Facade cladding work at Tower Block until 1st June, involving:
- installation of anchor bolts
- washing of external wall
- hollow plaster repair
- skin coating
- water-proofing work

Facade cleaning in progress:

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

What is the new cladding?

So far there is no new cladding, but it seems that the exterior is getting a whitewash

Are they renovating the interior as well?? :?

Are they renovating the interior as well?? :?
no, but they're refurbishing one lift for the office floors. could be a sign of things to come.:lol:

F1 is coming to town..better faster:lol:

Some statistics

TOP: 7th June 1976
Area: 6,976.0 sqm
Height (AMSL): 189.2m
GFA: 137,930 sqm
Cost of construction: $52.8 mil

Today I noticed a large portion of the facade of the podium (facing the open space above the MRT station) has been recladded in white material.

Its looking so much nicer, sort of similar to the facade of Central.

Some statistics

TOP: 7th June 1976
Area: 6,976.0 sqm
Height (AMSL): 189.2m
GFA: 137,930 sqm
Cost of construction: $52.8 mil

31 years old and still no chance to enbloc, what a waste. :ohno:

Got any updates?

09/07/2007
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5625/ip1fe1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/91/ip2sc0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Woooah, very modern indeed!! Looking lot better..

And now it is lit at night, alternating between red, green and blue colours. :lol:

And now it is lit at night, alternating between red, green and blue colours. :lol:


lighting scheme sounds boring!:nuts:

bring in the lighting system of japan's ferris wheel or any other complex ones tt will generate lovely patterns or text please, please, PLEASE!!!

It's awful colour lightings!

It's awful colour lightings!

Any pics of how awful it looks?

Some say that recladding the base spoils the simplicity of its stark black and white lines (and doesnt match with the tower portion), but I'm sure the lights would help to animate the area at night...which is still too quiet.

It's awful colour lightings!

Okay, for a change it is now switching colours slowly between the hues, probably they were testing the 3 primary colours that day or something. :lol:

But RafflesCity is right, while it makes the whole places look a bit lively it does not fit in well with the lines. Maybe if they don't switch the lights on during the day it should preserve it since the architecutral features of the tower disappear quite quickly when the sun sets.

The lightings are interesting, although it might appear to tourists this building is full of pubs / discos :lol: - or may be they should just do it this way.

If they do reclad, it'll be good. But it only looks like they're cleaning the building...:fart:

cheers

excelsvr

Okay, for a change it is now switching colours slowly between the hues, probably they were testing the 3 primary colours that day or something. :lol:

But RafflesCity is right, while it makes the whole places look a bit lively it does not fit in well with the lines. Maybe if they don't switch the lights on during the day it should preserve it since the architecutral features of the tower disappear quite quickly when the sun sets.

Recent pic of the tower ... ... taken last week.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa291/sonofadude/CIMG5193.jpg

Still looks as old as ever :lol:

BUt it's whiter and cleaner now, I like.

Nice update, but still looks old, but massive =0

Yeah it's kind of unique in it's own way.

Looking ugly with the aircon compressor outside?:bash:

Omg, why aren't the windows green?:bash:

Cause maybe this is a really old developement?

Omg, why aren't the windows green?:bash:

Haha...:banana:

Old buildings always use black glass (at least most of them)

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1066/cimg2502dw8.jpg

Nice! ^^

Agree. Was standing at the large open space one late eveningand spotted the mosaic of lights. It makes a huge difference to the Tanjong Pagar area, which is usually dark and gloomy after office hours.

Most of the interior works have been done and it looks much cleaner and brighter now with the white colour. The sidewalk is also upgraded and the 'toilet' tiles have been replaced.

Agree. Was standing at the large open space one late eveningand spotted the mosaic of lights. It makes a huge difference to the Tanjong Pagar area, which is usually dark and gloomy after office hours.

Most of the interior works have been done and it looks much cleaner and brighter now with the white colour. The sidewalk is also upgraded and the 'toilet' tiles have been replaced.

Yes. I've seen it today and it's a reasonably good-looking mall now :-)

^^

The food stalls are an essential for people needing take-aways :D

^^

The food stalls are an essential for people needing take-aways :D

Wah welcome back....:colgate:

Any pictures of the new "mall"?? :)

Wah welcome back....:colgate:

Any pictures of the new "mall"?? :)

Cheers:cheers:

I almost wanted to take it yesterday but gave it a miss.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2435713281_162e8114a6_o.jpg

Was around the area and checked out the 3 levels of shops in the "Mall". Many smallist shops, neighbourhood type variety.

Singapore Turf Club has a massive setup on the 3rd floor that draw huge crowd of coffee shop uncle/auntie.