Source: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/main-intro.htm), Singapore

Date of release: 26th June 2003

Downtown @ Marina Bay
-- the heart of the city with a soul for life!

http://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-01.jpghttp://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-02.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-03.jpghttp://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-04.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-05.jpghttp://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-06.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-07.jpghttp://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-08.jpg

At Downtown @ Marina Bay, Singaporeans can:


Work in a premier business and financial hub with global connections to other major business and financial institutions
Re-energise in a vibrant area of unique character and identity. Live, work, play and learn at the same time.
Enjoy enriching cultural activities in open spaces.
Experience round-the-clock life and vitality.


http://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-09.jpghttp://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-10.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-11.jpghttp://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/images/c-work-marina-12.jpg

Downtown @ Marina Bay extends Singapore's core Central Business District (CBD) seamlessly around the Bay from the existing Raffles Place, Shenton Way and Marina Centre.

The current review aims at ensuring that the Downtown @ Marina Bay response to current business needs and development trends to allow Singapore to continue to compete at a global level and give in-built flexibility for the future. It marks the next step in the continuing evolution of the plan as it moves from concept to implementation.

Downtown @ Marina Bay is set to be a distinctive and global location for business and for living, working and leisure, around-the-clock.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/downtown-bigplan.jpg

1. A Mulit-Purpose Destination

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/01multipurposedestination.jpg

2. Distinctive Districts

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/02adistinctivedistricts.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/02bsignatureskyline.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/02cconnectingdistricts.jpg

3. State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/03state-of-art-infrastructure.jpg

4. Flexible Framework

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/04flexible-framework.jpg

5. A Vibrant Cultural Loop

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/05cultural-loop.jpg

6. People-Frendliness

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/06pedestrian-friendliness.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/06pedestrian-enlarge01.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/06pedestrian-enlarge02.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/06pedestrian-enlarge03.jpg

Putting it Together

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/development-phasing.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/developing-the-business-and.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/dt-bfh-enlarge01.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/dt-bfh-enlarge02.jpg

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :dizzy:

Totally amazing renditions!!!
Great post huaiwei :okay:

I cant believe it..these are the most detailed plans I've seen!!

And I like how the authorities have aesthetic plans too..to ensure the skyline will be interesting with focal points and night lighting effects!:guns1:

Hmmm..I need to listen to my Downtown track by Petula Clark now:D

A picture by darecky for your comparison with the existing skyline. :D

http://www.sky.s64.pl/home/W/Sing2/s01.jpg

RafflesCity, the exhibition is on from today till 16th July. We shall drag szehoong to this exhibit with us!! :D there are models and pictures galore to gawk at!! ;)

Wow! I could only hope that Chicago had a similar vision...

Can you point me to the site from which these are downloaded?

I wish it didn't take them until 2025 to complete this... I can wait, though. :)

Oh........I am so excited! I would love to be 'dragged' to this exhibition! :D

BTW I really like how they plan South Marina.........its just amazing! :)

Wow! I could only hope that Chicago had a similar vision...

Can you point me to the site from which these are downloaded?

I wish it didn't take them until 2025 to complete this... I can wait, though. :)

Sure..I stated in the post. Its at http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/main-intro.htm :)

The above plan is part of the entire country's Master Plan review at http://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/index.jsp

Enjoy. ;)

What a great concept for a beautiful city,

It would be more elegant if the proposed Square building in the marina boulevard (center-waterfront) comes out with something unique or spectacular like an observation tower design as a future landmark for the city

Straits Times, June27

Vibrant city to take shape in new downtown
The central region is to be transformed over the next 15 years to attract talent and jobs and compete with world's best

By Wendy Tan

CITY living may in time mean bay views from your glass-walled apartment, zipping across a landscaped sky bridge to your office in the next building and unwinding after work with a game of football in a nearby park.

With Marina Bay as a backdrop, this is how the architects of an ambitious plan to transform the central region of Singapore see life in 10 to 15 years' time.

These plans for a vibrant city centre are not 'nice-to-have' but a 'must do', National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said yesterday as he opened the Urban Redevelopment Authority's exhibition.

'Cities all over the world are competing aggressively to attract investment, jobs and tourists.'

The massive area which comes under the plans covers the existing and new downtown areas, Newton, Orchard, River Valley, Tanglin, Bukit Merah, Bukit Timah, Kallang, Marine Parade, Toa Payoh and even the Southern Islands.

The URA's grand plans are the last of five master plans to be rolled out this year. They are reviewed every five years.

Just as in its earlier blueprints for the north, northeast, east and west regions, which it began unveiling in February, more homes, amenities and green spaces are to be added.

Into the central region which covers 13,050 ha, the URA proposes to inject 114,000 new homes and lots of new park spaces.

The crown jewel of this area will be Downtown@Marina Bay, which includes Raffles Place, Shenton Way and Marina Centre and the existing Central Business District, and extends all the way to the reclaimed area of Marina South.

Anchoring this new downtown will be a business and financial centre, and skyscrapers up to 50 storeys high.

In Marina South, three distinct areas are being carved out of a 99 ha plot, to capture the flavour of famous places abroad.

It sees Bayfront Avenue, for instance, as a 2km tree-lined street reminiscent of New York's Park Avenue and Paris' Champs Elysees - dotted with cafes, restaurants and shops.

Two bayfront sites have also been earmarked as public spaces and possible future homes for arts and culture.

More than 4,000 homes can be built in the new downtown area, which will include a 3.35km 'cultural loop' linking the bay area with Marina Centre, and embracing the Esplanade, the new Merlion Pier and One Fullerton.

Singapore Institute of Architects president John Ting sees it as a family playground.

He said: 'They can eat, shop, get entertained and soak in some culture.

'It's also great for the elderly and people with kids because they can walk the stretch without worrying about traffic.'

Architect Liu Thai Ker, who is also the National Arts Council's chairman, sees Downtown@Marina Bay as 'a great opportunity to create a piece of artwork'.

Mr Liu, who was once Singapore's chief planner, said: 'The plans give the city a stronger sense of personality.'

Both men were part of the group of mainly architects, urban planners and property developers invited to view the plans and offer feedback at the URA's exhibition which is on until July 16.

The plans for the central region also include more homes at Pearl's Hill, revitalising the Bras Basah and Bugis areas, and conserving areas like Tiong Bahru that are steeped in history.

Mr Mah emphasised that Singapore cannot afford to stand still, especially with Tokyo, London, Sydney and Barcelona remaking themselves, and Shanghai and Dubai adding to the competition.

He said: 'We must make our city a great place to live, work and play. It can then become more exciting and vibrant, attracting talent and helping to create jobs.'

Is there any information or pics of the 170m (i think) tall ferris wheels?

sweet plans!

OMG!!! cool plan. any buildings taller than 280m??

wow!! how much it will cost??? trillion??

From the map, it's very well-planned. Beautiful :D:D:D:D

wow!! how much it will cost??? trillion??

yeah who will pay?

^^

Private developers...who else? :D As is clearly stated in the plans, sites are released for public tender sequencially as and when the market condition is favourable, as is already the way public sites are sold to private developers now. I don't think this system is that different from most other capitalist countries....

Is there any information or pics of the 170m (i think) tall ferris wheels?

From the Straits Times:

$200 m ride

On a clear day you'll be able to see Johor, Batam and Bintan from the $200 m Singapore Flyer coming up on Marina Bay by end 2005. It will be the world's largest revolving structure

By Camilla Chiam

THE world's largest ferris wheel could take you for a whirl on the Marina Bay waterfront as early as November 2005. At 170m, the Singapore Flyer will stand 35m taller than the wildly successful London Eye, erected on the banks of the Thames.

Its 32 air-conditioned glass capsules are designed to take up to 25 people. On a clear day, they will have a 45km view all round and even see parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.

The observation wheel will sit atop a three-storey building housing 20 tourist-related shops and entertainment outlets, which will be linked by travellators to the Millenia MRT station due to open in mid-2005.

The $200 million project set on 3.37ha of land is the largest foreign direct investment ever in a visitor attraction here.

The investors, the Melchers Group and the Orient and Pacific Group, sealed the deal at the Pan Pacific Hotel yesterday by signing an agreement with the Singapore Tourism Board.

Melchers is a German logistics and engineering services company; Orient and Pacific Group a consultancy based in the British Virgin Islands.

STB chief Lim Neo Chian believes the Singapore Flyer will 'spur Singapore's tourism industry to greater heights'. It is projected to draw more than 2.5 million visitors to spend $94 million in its first year. Tourism here could certainly use a boost, with visitor arrivals down by as much as 70 per cent.

Melchers' general manager Patrick MacMahon, 38, says he is sure the Flyer will be ready a year before its competition, the 200m-tall Shanghai Star, is due to crown that city's skyline in 2005. He claims that the Shanghai Star will open in 2006 instead. 'The Shanghai Star is still in negotiation, but we've already moved forward with the Singapore Flyer today,' he said.

Mr Xu Junhui, 28, an engineer who rode on the London Eye in 2000, can't wait. He said: 'I drive along the East Coast Parkway and look at the skyline so I'm really curious to see what it would look like from the top.'

View it in PDF (http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2003-06-28/ride.pdf)

Giant ferris wheel could've been bigger...

Height limit is placed on the 170m-tall 'Singapore Flyer' as it is close to an air corridor leading to Paya Lebar Airbase

By David Boey

IF NOT for height restrictions imposed by the flight path leading to Paya Lebar Airbase, the massive 170m high giant observation wheel dubbed the Singapore Flyer could actually stand taller.

The height limit was imposed as the structure, which will stand on a 3.37 ha site at Marina Bay at the end of 2005, towers quite close to an air corridor that leads to Paya Lebar Airport from the south.

Still, the steel structure's proposed design already dwarfs the British Airways London Eye, an enormous 135m tall observation wheel which stands on the south bank of the River Thames in London.

The British tourism magnet looks set to lose its reputation as the world's biggest observation wheel once the Singapore Flyer starts spinning.

The Singapore Flyer will be some 35m taller than the London Eye, although the upcoming Singapore landmark will sit on a 20m high foundation.

The joint press release issued yesterday by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Melchers Project Management, an engineering firm which is developing the structure jointly with STB under a $200 million project, did not hold back on superlatives when describing the Singapore Flyer.

The proposed 1,100 tonne structure has been dubbed 'the world's highest observation wheel', and that it will be a 'technologically advanced engineering and design marvel'.

But one pressing engineering challenge is more basic: how to make it spin without giving passengers motion sickness.

Mr Brendon McNiven, assistant director of Arup, a global engineering consulting firm engaged to build the Singapore Flyer, said: 'We need to make the structure stiff enough so it will not oscillate so quickly and if you can limit the acceleration, it will make people feel better.'

Mr McNiven said wind conditions here work in the design team's favour, as gusts are not as ferocious as those in places further away from the equator.

Each of the 32 observation capsules will be strung to the wheel's central spindle by a pair of steel cables some 70m long.

Each cable will carry dumbbell-shaped weights to help reduce vibrations so passengers will enjoy a smooth 37-minute round trip to the top and back.

The design of the wheel should be finalised by December and construction should begin early next year.

Here are the models of it taken at the URA Gallery.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103city6.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103city7.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103city9.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103city3.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103city8.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103city5.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103city2.jpg

now it is the tallest ferris wheel, not skyscrapers??:D

OMG.................. what a massive project!!!

Future housing in the Pearl's Hill area (near Chinatown)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103housing1.jpg

More highrise housing (Duxton plains - near the financial district)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103housing2.jpg

Proposed recreational maritime hub (at the southern tip of the island)
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103maritime.jpg

Another look at the CBD. You can see the future giant ferris wheel and the new downtown in the top of the pic.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103city11.jpg

Cool! I think I might as well present the remaining four other aspects of the City Centre proposals, of which the New Downtown Plans are just one! ;)

City Living at Pearl's Hill

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-bigplan.jpg

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-opportunities.jpg

1. Reconfigure the Park

Reconfigure the existing Pearl's Hill City Park into a smaller hilltop park and a mid-level park.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-title-01.jpg

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifMature trees and shrubbery adorn the Hilltop Park.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifA unique tree-canopied walk around the 19th century reservoir at the crown of the hill.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifMature trees and shrubbery adorn the Hilltop Park.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-idea01-pic02.jpg http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-idea01-pic01.jpg

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-title-02.jpg

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifA colourful and vibrant park for the public to explore.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifOpen fields, a series of parks, fitness corners and jogging tracks along the mid-level greens.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifOutdoor recreation areas, events, markets and alfresco dining bring in the crowds.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-idea02-pic01.jpg

2. Green Necklace

The mid-level and hilltop parks will be part of a green necklace linking Duxton Plain Park through Peral's Hill and York Hill to the Singapore River.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-title-03.jpg

LANDSCAPED DECK OVER CTE

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifA colourful and vibrant park for the public to explore.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifOpen fields, a series of parks, fitness corners and jogging tracks along the mid-level greens.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifOutdoor recreation areas, events, markets and alfresco dining bring in the crowds.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-idea03-pic01.jpg

PARK CONNECTOR AT YORK HILL

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/bullet-greydot.gifA park connector & pathways through housing blocks will lead the residents of York Hill to the park at Pearl's Hill on foot & with ease.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-idea03-pic02.jpg http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/pearlshill-idea03-pic03.jpg

3. Housing Developments

High-density, medium-rise stepped housing and Pearl's Hill; High-density, very high-rise housing at York Hill.

(graphics are all in flash, unfortunately. But from the flash animation, Can easily see that the "very high-rise" ones are going as high as over 40 storeys! Yippee!)

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline07-03/text/ideas.html

More opportunities for city living, places for business, new public spaces and parks, and friendly pedestrian networks. All these and more can become a reality in our city centre,
if URA’s plans for the city centre go down well with the general public and the private sector.

Judging from the 18,000-strong turnout and positive response received for the five-week “Our City Centre - A Great Place to Live, Work and Play!” exhibition, URA’s ideas have certainly stirred the public’s imagination. URA is also actively consulting architectural, property and financial industry leaders, many of whom have given positive feedback on the plans.


Live, work and play in Downtown@Marina Bay
The economic heart of Singapore’s business and financial hub, the existing Central Business District (CBD) will in future extend seamlessly around Marina Bay - from Raffles Place, Shenton Way, Marina Centre, to the reclaimed land at Marina South.

The Marina Bay waterfront will become the city’s centrepiece, housing international businesses, waterfront residences and facilities for arts, cultural and leisure activities.

A 3.5-ha prime waterfront site has been earmarked for a Business and Financial Centre (BFC) development (see box story). Two promontory sites along the waterfront are proposed for civic and cultural institution developments. These will form iconic landmarks around the bay, like Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

The promenade along the water’s edge around the bay will be extended and a new low-level bridge will be built over Marina Channel, completing a 3.35 km loop around the Marina Bay. This means pedestrians can stroll along the tree-shaded promenade by the water’s edge and visit the various attractions around the bay.

The land immediately fronting the Bay will take about 18 to 20 years to be fully developed. To jump-start activities around the bay in the near future, URA is exploring the release of some sites near the waterfront for shorter-term leases. These sites can be developed into two to three-storey buildings housing food & beverage, entertainment and recreational uses, which would no doubt enhance the vibrancy of Downtown@Marina Bay.

Most visitors welcomed the idea to build the pedestrian promenade and bring in shorter-term uses around the bay, as it will demonstrate the potential of the area to would-be investors. One VIP visitor even suggested holding a world-class marathon around the bay. The images of an attractive Marina Bay beamed across the globe will be an excellent showcase of Singapore to the world!

The expansion of the CBD began in 2001, with the sale of the first site at Marina South. The development, One Raffles Quay, is under construction and will be ready in 2005.

The next phase is the BFC development, a long-term project to improve Singapore’s environment for the development of the business and financial services sector. The BFC will house office and retail uses, among others, within a total of about 425,000 sqm of gross floor area (GFA) to be developed in phases, possibly over an 18-year period. URA is currently finalising the terms of sale, in preparation of the release in the first half of 2004, when the economic outlook is expected to be clearer.

Besides the BFC, URA’s plans also looks at enhancing the CBD’s distinctiveness over the long term. Three districts have been proposed in the future extension. Bayfront Avenue is touted to be a prestigious corridor. Two main open spaces, Central Linear Park and Marina Station Square, will provide major frontages for developments flanking them, enhancing the value of these streetblocks. Landscaped public spaces, attractive boulevards and roof gardens will make the extended CBD a pleasant place to work in. To create a signature skyline, care has also been taken to keep building heights immediately around the bay low to medium rise, with higher buildings stepping up behind.
http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline07-03/text/images/img_ideas8.jpg

Some sites within the extended CBD will also be designated for high-density, high-rise housing developments for quality city living. Coupled with a comprehensive pedestrian system of underground link malls, covered walkways, boulevards and high-level links, the future CBD will be a well-integrated and distinctive business district.


Hillside living offers oasis of peace
City living needs not be all about buzz and bustle, going by URA’s proposal to inject 3,000 homes into Pearl’s Hill over the next 15 to 20 years. Nestled within the hill’s lush greenery, these homes will only be a street away from the various amenities along Eu Tong Sen Street, and yet be shielded from its bustle.

At neighbouring York Hill, there are also plans for another 2,500 home units - in skyscrapers with splendid views of the city, and “groundscrapers” that hug the natural terrain and bring residents closer to the surrounding greenery.

What’s more, these two neighbourhoods will be linked by a landscaped deck over the Central Expressway (CTE) tunnel. This proposal, which also optimises the space above the tunnel, found favour with several VIP visitors who suggested to us to explore applying it to other areas.

Future residents will get to enjoy not one, but two parks! The little-known Pearl’s Hill City Park will be reconfigured to comprise of a hilltop park and a new mid-level park. The hilltop park will remain a tranquil and quiet spot for those looking for peace in the city, while the mid-level park will weave in between the housing developments and activities here can spill downhill to the nearby Outram Park MRT Station.


City campus hub adds youthful vibes
In three years’ time, a lively campus district will come up in the Bras Basah and Bugis area, with the completion of the Singapore Management University, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and LASALLE-SIA College of Arts.

With 16,000 students from these three tertiary institutions thronging the area, it has potential to be a hotbed of culture, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Vacant land can be turned into open-air performance spaces. Or house small-scale, intimate shops with interesting shopfronts, selling anything from arts and craft to the latest trendy ware and books. Or be home to art galleries and workshops.

The proposed partial pedestrianisation of key streets in the area will add further zing. The National Arts Council was particularly keen on making Waterloo Street car-free as there are existing arts housing along this stretch.

The youthful buzz in the area can even extend into the night, if plans to convert vacant state-owned buildings into student hostels are given the go-ahead. The live-in student population can rest and relax after dark conveniently at entertainment spots at their doorstep.


Public spaces get more people-friendly
Have you ever observed what makes cites attractive? Think of the tree-lined boulevards of Champs Elysee, or bench-dotted Leicester Square in London.

Well-designed public spaces can make our experience of the city a more delightful one. For example, the journey between a light rail station and a shopping mall can be made more convenient and comfortable for pedestrians with a direct connection such as an air-conditioned underground link or covered walkway.

It is important to encourage better-designed and more attractive spaces in our city centre, within both private developments and on State land, for the public’s comfort and enjoyment. Not only did URA share ideas in the Public Space and Urban Waterfront Master Plan, it is also holding a Design Ideas Competition to tap on the public’s creativity (see Design Pearl's Hill green deck!).

Visitors from Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects were upbeat about the competition. They also urged for greater collaboration between the private and public sectors so that there is a more holistic and integrated approach to improve public spaces.

Let us look forward to building a city centre that all of us can be proud of.
:guns1:

They are building a huge thing just across from the AI Building ,behind One Marina Boulevard.The site with like hundreds of cranes and piling machines.What is that?

Part of the Downtown @ Marina Project?

Anyone know when the Singapore Flyer is due to start construction?

Originally posted by redstone

They are building a huge thing just across from the AI Building ,behind One Marina Boulevard.The site with like hundreds of cranes and piling machines.What is that?

Part of the Downtown @ Marina Project?

Anyone know when the Singapore Flyer is due to start construction? Hmm...Im surprised you didnt noe what it was...its.....

One Raffles Quay!!

http://www.meinhardt.com.sg/admin/project_images/OneRafflesQuayWebsite.jpg

Yeap it is part of the New Downtown projects.

Singapore Flyer should be due to be constructed starting next year. They are still in finalising the designs, so I hear. ;)

By Simon Wilcox.


CITY Developments (CityDev) has been given the go-ahead to build the first residential apartments on the New Downtown site, touted as Singapore’s next-generation financial centre.

The developer was granted provisional permission by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in November to build 673 apartments on a 97,855-sq ft site, according to a quarterly update by the URA published yesterday.

Although CityDev also has the green light to develop 355,000 sq ft of office space and 21,700 sq ft of retail space on the Marina Bay site, the main thrust of the project is residential.

’This is a clever move by CityDev,’ Mr Dennis Yeo, managing director of property consultancy Colliers International, said yesterday.

’Given that there is a glut of commercial units on the market...and the Keppel Land consortium is building office towers on the white site, this was the right move.’

In a mega venture with Hongkong Land and Cheung Kong Holdings, rival Keppel Land is building two office towers - one 29 storeys high and the other 50 storeys high - in the New Downtown.
CityDev is targeting its apartments at ’young urbanites’ who want ’city bayfront living’ close to amenities, Mr Gerry de Silva, spokesman for Hong Leong Group, CityDev’s parent, said yesterday.

The selling price for the project - which is still at the planning stage - has yet to be determined, but the units will be affordable, he said. ’We’re not talking Holland Road here,’ he added, referring to the premium that can be expected in upmarket areas.

Mr Yeo of Colliers reckons that the sale prices of the units will be in ’the range of $700-900 per sq ft and certainly less than $1,000 psf’.

CityDev secured its New Downtown plot for $227 per sq ft (psf) and he calculates that the breakeven cost is ’around the $600 psf mark’.

Mr de Silva confirmed that CityDev would ’build and sell’ rather than operate the development itself.

The URA granted provisional permission to three other private residential projects in the fourth quarter of last year. One of them is a 783-unit condominium at Boon Lay Way, which Far East Organisation will develop.

Does anyone know which land parcel this residential development will be taking up?

Originally posted by RafflesCity

Does anyone know which land parcel this residential development will be taking up? Yes I noe...but I will have to find a map for that............

What are they building at Marina Bay?The Circle Line?

Originally posted by redstone

Are they building a pier or something? Wheres the pier? :?

I think both the circle line and a road, Marina Boulevard.

Originally posted by huaiwei

Wheres the pier? :?

I realised the patch behind the linear construction site is actually grass ,not water as I first thought it was ,so I edited my post.

Ohoh....well that is the Common Services Tunnel (CST)...heard of it?

Huh?

What's that???

This article should be useful (the sale site was referong to One Raffles Quay):

6 March 1998

First sale site in new downtown the first to benefit from CST

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has obtained the green light to implement a network of Common Services Tunnels (CSTs) in the New Downtown. CSTs are purpose-built underground tunnels which house utility service lines such as water pipes, power cables and telecommunication cables. (See Annexure A for Proposed CST Network.)

Land Parcel A at Marina Boulevard, which was launched for sale in November 1997, will be the first sale site to enjoy the benefits that come with CSTs.

The successful tenderer will be able to make provisions for their development to be connected to the CST, when the first phase of the network is completed in the year 2003.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/pr98-04a.gif

How first sale site will benefit from having CST

With CST, developments within the New Downtown including the first sale site at Marina Boulevard, will not be disrupted and inconvenienced by road excavation for services maintenance work or for laying new services when neighbouring developments come up. The building's utility supplies will not be threatened by disruption due to accidental hacking of laid cables and pipes. Thus, noise and air pollution will be minimised and reliability of services will be improved. (See Annexure B for a typical cross-section of a CST.)

Regular maintenance work is possible with CSTs. This means there is little likelihood of disruption in services due to unforeseen breakdowns.

The introduction of CST will mean the re-location of utilities from the road sidetable, reducing the land taken up by road reserves and providing additional land for the development. A tangible benefit for the first sale site is that it will now have more land for development. The additional strip of land will now be incorporated into the land parcel.

With the use of CST, future changes in the demand for utility services can be easily accommodated. Additional cables and pipes can be simply installed within the tunnel if there is higher demand for these utility services. This flexibility is especially important as the majority of land parcels, including the first sale site, are zoned as "white" sites, where the successful tenderers have the freedom to decide on the mix of uses and where the mix of uses can change in response to market conditions.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/pr98-04b.gif

Tender period extended

With all the benefits that come with the implementation of the CST, the New Downtown will be more attractive for property investment. URA has therefore decided to give additional time for potential bidders for the first sale site at Marina Boulevard to revise their plans to incorporate the additional land, and to fully assess the benefits of the CST to the New Downtown, and to the site in particular.

The tender period will therefore be extended for the tender to close on 6 May 98 instead of the original tender closing date of 2 Apr 98.

Building a beautiful, efficient business city

The implementation of the CST is in line with the Government's vision to position the New Downtown as a world-class financial and business hub; a business city which integrates efficient transportation and other infrastructure with a beautiful urban environment.

The first sale site includes an underground pedestrian mall linking it to Raffles Place MRT Station. The development will also be the first to have a hub car park in the New Downtown.

Together with a major new bus-stop along Raffles Quay, the development will be the gateway for all commuters and workers entering the New Downtown by car, rail, bus or even on foot. There are also plans for a new LRT line to serve the New Downtown which will increase the accessibility of the site by the rail network. The LRT line is proposed to run along a road adjoining the first sale site. (See Annexure C.)

URA will take the lead in planning, designing and co-ordinating the construction of the CST network which comprises some 20 km of linked tunnels. Construction will be carried out in phases to integrate with the overall planning and development of the New Downtown.

Costing about $250 million, construction of the first phase will begin in 1999 and is expected to be completed in time to serve the needs of the first URA sale site in the New Downtown. The construction cost will be offset by the additional land savings achieved.

CSTs have been successfully implemented within large urban development areas in cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama and Paris. Singapore is the second Asian country after Japan, and the first in Southeast Asia, to implement a comprehensive CST system within a development area.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/pr98-04c.gif

That mans that the construction is not all CST, since the digs extend out of the red line.:)
http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/pr98-04a.gif
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/103319c.jpg

Maybe some of it is for the Circle Line?

Also the footprint at 1 Raffles Quay is actually for 2 buildings;)

Anyway the article on the CST was very interesting! I didnt know Singapore is the 2nd Asian country to have this:cheers:

Originally posted by Cliff

That mans that the construction is not all CST, since the digs extend out of the red line.:) You just LOVE to argue till lidat hor? :D

Take note that map was done in 1998. The plan for the New Downtown has already changed by now. The routing for the CST is no longer the same. ;)

The entirety of the Circle Line does not pass this area at all too. Remember it starts from Dhoby Ghaut to Harbourfront, and does not reach the NDT. :D

Ongoing works for the Common Services Tunnel

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103cst.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/504/103dscn1727.jpg

Cool zoom there! Looks like they have till the end of this year to finish up their digging! :D

Originally posted by huaiwei

You just LOVE to argue till lidat hor? :D



:D

Originally posted by Cliff

:D You must be feeling the "high" from that mysterious mountain episode eh? :D

I went up this building with Raffi, and frankly lah......I still dun see such a big mountain range as you seem to do....I realised its coz u zoomed in alot in your photo! ;)

Originally posted by huaiwei

Yes I noe...but I will have to find a map for that............

Please point out which part of the new downtown it will be sited at:angel1:

Originally posted by RafflesCity

Please point out which part of the new downtown it will be sited at:angel1: If we refer to this map:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/dt-bfh-enlarge01.jpg

It is on the site labelled "Site sold in 2002" :D

so thats the mysterious site! I hope this doesnt depend on 1 Raffles Quay for its construction. That whole area looks quite messy now..all the cranes and dug out earth:rant:

Originally posted by huaiwei

I went up this building with Raffi, and frankly lah......I still dun see such a big mountain range as you seem to do....I realised its coz u zoomed in alot in your photo! ;)

What building are you talking about? OUB or Suntec?

You sure you were looking in the right direction??
Cos the mountain can be seen by "the naked eye".:D

Originally posted by Cliff

What building are you talking about? OUB or Suntec?

You sure you were looking in the right direction??
Cos the mountain can be seen by "the naked eye".:D I was on the Swissotel.....with a view much wider then Suntec obviously! :D

Yes I saw those mountains, but they look tiny in relation to the entire skyline. I did take photos of them thou, so look out for them. ;)

Yesterday, it was reported the heat sparked of a fire amongst the grass in the NDT area.......a sign from the heavens? :D

wow there'll be an lrt serving new downtown? connected to tanjong pagar? aboveground or under? wouldnt it make much more sense for the umm residential building to be connected to lrt than to raffles place which is like a milllion metres away from it..

Er..because the underground pedestrain links are going to go all over the NDT....so with each new development, the link is continued from there......macham lego lah. :D

lego, to my understanding is um the toy... macham is?

macham = "something like"

Originally posted by huaiwei

Er..because the underground pedestrain links are going to go all over the NDT....so with each new development, the link is continued from there......macham lego lah. :D

so the underground links connect to Raffles Place or Tanjong Pagar?

Originally posted by RafflesCity

so the underground links connect to Raffles Place or Tanjong Pagar? For now its Raffles Place, but sooner or later, it wil link up with every mrt station. ;)

Thats good..since its gonna be so hot.
Until the grass can catch fire:bash:

Haha! Let the NDT grass burn somemore...until they so fedup that they start development there earlier! :colgate:

Singapore to spend initial $300m to develop Marina downtown

14 March 2004

SINGAPORE: The Government is to spend an initial S$300m to develop the Downtown at Marina Bay, Singapore's upcoming financial and entertainment district, to attract foreign investors.

"Singapore needs to plan for and invest in our city so as to safeguard our position as a premier place for business and talent," the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said in a statement late Saturday.

"With its waterfront location and availability of unencumbered land, the Downtown at Marina Bay can be Singapore's competitive advantage, providing the opportunity to develop a unique business and financial hub as a seamless extension to the existing CBD (Central Business District)."

The Downtown at Marina Bay is just minutes away by car from the existing CBD.

The Government's initial investment in key infrastructure in the Bay area will go towards developing a 3.35km waterfront promenade around Marina Bay, a new pedestrian cum vehicular bridge that will link to Marina Centre, as well as the extension of the Common Services Tunnel and the road and sewer network to bring utilities to serve the new developments, said the URA statement.

The promenade and bridge are targeted to complete by 2006 and 2008 respectively.

The planning vision is to develop the area to provide prime office space for global business and financial institutions, complemented by a full range of residential, shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment activities.

Hence, the Downtown at Marina Bay will not be just a place for work but will be a business and financial hub that is integrated with quality housing, and recreational and leisure facilities to provide a total live-work-play environment. - CNA

Originally posted by huaiwei

macham = "something like"

Why spell 'Macham' when the actual Malay word is like an alphabet shorter - "Macam" :D

Originally posted by szehoong

Why spell 'Macham' when the actual Malay word is like an alphabet shorter - "Macam" :D Because I am not a Malay and never had formal education in Malay? :D

"Singapore to spend initial $300m to develop Marina downtown"

How much is S$300 compared to the Euro?

Originally posted by aedificium erectum

"Singapore to spend initial $300m to develop Marina downtown"

How much is S$300 compared to the Euro? Hmm...S$300 = 143.492 EUR? Not much value, I guess. :D

what's that 300 million going to be spent on? sidewalks?

"The Government's initial investment in key infrastructure in the Bay area will go towards developing a 3.35km waterfront promenade around Marina Bay, a new pedestrian cum vehicular bridge that will link to Marina Centre, as well as the extension of the Common Services Tunnel and the road and sewer network to bring utilities to serve the new developments, said the URA statement."

Cant you read???? :bash: :D

umm other than the sewer and infrasturcture stuff.. isnt it basically sidewalk?! when will those be built? if now or very near future... wont the bridge be quite purposeless..

"The promenade and bridge are targeted to complete by 2006 and 2008 respectively."

Why should it? Be able to walk from Collyer Quay to Marina Centre via this route would be amazing for scraper fanatics like us!! :D

eh... where is collyer quay? marina centre is marina square?

Originally posted by heirloom

eh... where is collyer quay? marina centre is marina square? Oh gosh...you are hopeless as a sgrean!! :bash: :D

Aiyoh!!!!!

Collyer Quay is the whole stretch of waterfront from the old Merlion Park to Overseas Union House.

aiyar! my expertise is not names of places but shops and eateries lar...

where is overseas union house? collyer quay to marina centre? where is marina centre?

Aye you stay in Perth lah. You are such a shame! :D

Marina Square is in Marina Centre. Get it?? ;)

Originally posted by heirloom

umm other than the sewer and infrasturcture stuff.. isnt it basically sidewalk?! when will those be built? if now or very near future... wont the bridge be quite purposeless..

In the mid term, they will develop the waterfront and sidewalk and probably have activities there, THEN when they finish that, they will build the pedestrian bridge so people can walk over from Marina Centre/Square.

I think its ideal as the targetted completion dates should more or less coincide with the completion of the 2x apartment towers and 2x Raffles Quay, meaning that there will be office workers and residents using the waterfront:cheers:

Some images from the 1st page

The pedestrian bridge leading to the promenade
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/05cultural-loop.jpg

Overview
http://www.ura.gov.sg/cudd/cawebsite/images/downtown-bigplan.jpg

ehhh someone told me collyer quay is the old merlion site... i was wondering how the bridge cross over to marina centree....

looking at the map... i think the workers and residents might be more inclined to use the current roads? or might there be a new project we dont know about :devil:

What's that curving thing?:?

The pedestrian bridge?

Originally posted by redstone

What's that curving thing?:?

The pedestrian bridge? Yeap that it is the bridge indeed. ;) Hope they dont screw up the design!

Originally posted by heirloom

ehhh someone told me collyer quay is the old merlion site... i was wondering how the bridge cross over to marina centree....

looking at the map... i think the workers and residents might be more inclined to use the current roads? or might there be a new project we dont know about :devil:

The future bridge will allow pedestrians to walk in a continuous loop around Marina Bay, and of course when all the developments are completed in the future I am sure they will make use of the new bridge.

in that second last pic... is it just me or does the benjamin sheares bridge seem alot lower than it really is?

Originally posted by heirloom

in that second last pic... is it just me or does the benjamin sheares bridge seem alot lower than it really is?

I think its just a perception thingy. You can see the shadow that indicates its elevated.

The promontory sites would be used for "Civic & Community Institution" I hear.

huh? community club? :lol:

Do museums count as "Civic & Community Institution" buildings?:?

dunno leh.. maybe? good.. th emore museums the better... are there going to be shopping centres?

If yes ,I want a Modern Art Museum!

The SAM would focus on 'traditional' art then.:D

The Esplanade is also zoned under "Civic & Community Institution" what....walao eh........:bash: :D

The future road (Marina Boulevard). You can see the works on the CST that extend right to the future site of the proposed BFC.
http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/ndt1.jpg

The site for the central promontory
http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/ndt.jpg

The site for the new 245m residential
http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/ndt2.jpg

Its as thou they have to realy dig so long just to build roads now.....so that in future they wont ever have to dig the road again!

Normal road dont usually dig until like that right?

Normal road dont usually dig until like that right?
Yeah....they have to build a big tunnel underneath the road, hence all the big holes...:D

come think of it, I've never witnessed a NEW road being made, just repaving works.

But I think this road is more complex due to the CST system?

Well I have....they are just your typical dig up the earth, laying the foundation layers, before the asphalt comes in. They dont invovle deep-level digging like this one! :D

A relook at the tunnel:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/pr98-04b.gif

I wonder if it is actually worth building such a tunnel than seperate cables ,pipes.

what's the difference really?

I wonder if it is actually worth building such a tunnel than seperate cables ,pipes.
If you enjoy seeing the roads being dug up all the time...?

I might now sound quiet unpopular. As much as I admire the new CBD, I simply wonder whether it really makes sense to plaster every single square inch of Singapore. Those places serve as a green lung. Although Spore has lot's of greenery, I say limit additional construction.

I might now sound quiet unpopular. As much as I admire the new CBD, I simply wonder whether it really makes sense to plaster every single square inch of Singapore. Those places serve as a green lung. Although Spore has lot's of greenery, I say limit additional construction.
Well, you have to note that the new downtown site was entirely relaimed from the seas, and can hardly be considered a destruction of greenery? Every inch of greenery there today are planted by hand, and you might be glad to know a huge park has been built in the midst of this new urban jungle. :D

Actually in the original plans for the new downtown, it was much more densely packed, but if you look at these plans carefully, you will see that it is very well planned with lots of parks in between the buildings. The buildings themselves feature sky gardens and such.

One day ,the Marina City Park would be all surrounded by skyscrapers ,which would extend to the south coast of Marina.

One day ,the Marina City Park would be all surrounded by skyscrapers ,which would extend to the south coast of Marina.
Which will then make it look even more like Central Park in NYC? :D

Yah!:D

It would be a reality in perhaps 20 or 30 years time.:(

hey it took the Shenton Way and Tanjong Pagar skyline about 20 or so years to get to where it is today too, and thats including the extras at Beach Road and Marina Centre;)

hey it took the Shenton Way and Tanjong Pagar skyline about 20 or so years to get to where it is today too, and thats including the extras at Beach Road and Marina Centre;)
That was during the booming decades when our neighbours were still planting vegetables. I dont know if we can replicate that kind of astronomical growth today...maybe we be amongst the first to advance into a super-nano centric world, with a spacehub into all of the universe?? :D

The growth in Raffles Place mainly took place in the height of the construction boom in the 1970s.


Marina Centre's growth is faster ,in the 1990s.

The growth in Raffles Place mainly took place in the height of the construction boom in the 1970s.


Marina Centre's growth is faster ,in the 1990s.
Marina centre only have like....7 office blocks, 5 hotels, 3 malls, one expo, one arts centre, and thats it? :D

Marina Centre sounds like ONE building rather that a group of.

Huge plots of land there were taken up by Suntec City and the Marina Complex (Pan-pac ,Marina Mandarin ,Marina Square ,etc).

Don't forget to include One Raffles Link ,and Marina Bayfront.

Marina Centre was built really fast, in like 10 years. I remember in 1986/7, all 3 hotels in the Marina Square complex got completed then all the rest popped up by 1996 and Suntec City was popular amongst my schoolmates for hanging out.

I am confident our new downtown will proceed at a respectable pace too, moreover the land is new and unoccupied, no problems about demolition of existing buildings to clear the site

A real life eg of wat happens when there is no CRT:

Dig, dig, dig the whole day through...

LTA coordinates some road works but demand is unpredictable and urgent repairs need to be done

By Goh Chin Lian

WOODLANDS Avenue 3 has been dug up at 11 spots in 10 months to lay power cables, telecom lines and water pipes.

While this is an extreme case, it is not unusual: Every day, 20 new holes are being dug into roads islandwide.

To drivers, the situation is common: slow-moving traffic because a section of road ahead is being dug up.

The common sight of work being done on the roads led seven people to write in to a government body whose task is to cut waste in public services.

They said that the frequent digs clog up roads, create a mess and waste money. Their main point to the Cut Waste Panel: Why aren't the road works better coordinated?

The problem, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA), is that almost nine in 10 of the digs cannot be predicted.

In most cases, they occur when the owner of a new house or a building needs new services.

At other times, it is because of an emergency, such as a burst pipe which needs immediate repair.

The LTA says it coordinates the digs with more than 10 agencies, ranging from the Traffic Police to service providers such as PowerGrid, SingTel and StarHub.

It tells the service providers which roads are due for re-surfacing six months in advance so they can carry out their work within that time.

The demand for services is one reason roads need to be dug up with such frequency.

Companies told The Straits Times that although they provide excess capacity when laying cables and pipes, this is swiftly taken up.

Said a StarHub spokesman: 'Road digs are often triggered by high customer demand in specific areas. Sometimes, it is operationally and commercially not possible to coordinate these activities with other service providers.'

Other construction work might also affect underground cables which have already been laid. For example, a SingTel spokesman said it may need to divert cables during construction work on the Circle Line and expressways, road widening and upgrading of housing estates.

The digging work is paid for by service providers.

To the suggestion that they should all dig at the same time, the LTA said there would not be enough space on the road for all of them.

One option is to close the entire road, but that would inconvenience motorists more.

The perception that roads are dug up again and again at the same spot is also incorrect, says the LTA. The various services occupy different spots underground: Gas pipes and power cables are kept apart for safety reasons, while hygiene issues dictate that sewer and water pipes are separated, for example.

The LTA also takes steps to minimise digging. No digging is allowed for a year on a newly re-surfaced road, except in emergencies; and two years for new roads.

It also has rules to prevent indiscriminate digging during busy hours and minimise disruption to traffic.

The LTA suspended six contractors last year for working during peak hours, having poor traffic control at the worksite and not restoring the road properly after work.

Mr Ang Mong Seng, an MP for Hong Kah GRC who sits on the Government Parliamentary Committee for both National Development and Transport, thinks motorists can accept digs that are urgent and which are completed quickly.

But he said that for work that takes longer, service providers should coordinate more closely and try new technology.

Some are already doing so.

The Public Utilities Board is already using two new methods to replace sewers more quickly and cheaply with little or no excavation.

One involves inserting a metal tool into an open pit at one end of the repair site, pulling it through the old pipe to break it up while dragging a new one in simultaneously.

Another uses a machine that can weave a new lining around old pipes. The machine can be lowered into a manhole, eliminating the need to dig. Such methods allow the PUB to replace 20km of sewers by the end of this year while digging up 250m of road.

Mr Gerard Ee, president of the Automobile Association of Singapore, said the situation cannot be helped, because most digs cannot be planned ahead.

The alternative would be a 'very controlled' system that permits households to get a new service only within a certain period of the year, which would be 'ludicrous'.

Motorists can ensure smoother, less aggravating trips by checking traffic websites and avoiding areas where road works are being carried out if possible, he said.

man..i want to work as a construction engineer in Singapore...there is noting so romantic as concrete,steel,cranes ,and rain ....call me crazy..but i am like that:)

sorry if this is off-topic but does anyone have any info on the new mrt circle line..when will it be completed and what new stations will it have?

sorry if this is off-topic but does anyone have any info on the new mrt circle line..when will it be completed and what new stations will it have?
Brother...there is an ENTIRE thread just on the circle line loh! :D

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=21933

Welcome to the forums, btw! :grouphug: :cheers:

thanks for the welcome and the link... sorry, i was a little disorientated as to where all the threads were

Welcome to the forum Mr!Kiasu and nice name! Feel free to take your time to browse through the threads here. You Singaporean?

Yah ,Marina sure developed like crazy!

I hope the Downtown would be almost as fast ,and the Marina City Park would be surrounded by skyscrapers within 25 years or so.

The first time I visited Suntec was in 1996.It was very crowded then ,more people than there was now.It is the biggest private property develpoment here.

Welcome to the forum Mr!Kiasu!:D

12 APRIL 2004

URA LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL DESIGN CONSULTANCY FOR THE WATERFRONT AT THE DOWNTOWN AT MARINA BAY

In about three to four years, the public will be able to stroll around the waterfront area at Marina Bay and enjoy a variety of activities. On 16 April 2004, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will invite consultants to participate in the design development of the waterfront promenade around Marina Bay and a pedestrian-cum-vehicular bridge.

This international consultancy is the first project undertaken by URA since it was appointed by the Government last month to be the Development Agency for Downtown at Marina Bay. The development of the waterfront promenade and bridge reflects the commitment of the Government to opening up the waterfront area , making it more accessible to the public and attractive for future development and investments. The waterfront promenade is scheduled to be completed by end 2006 and the bridge by end 2008.

The main focus of the consultancy is on selecting a design that is of international standard for the 1.5 kilometre (km) segment of the waterfront promenade at the Central and Bayfront areas and the new 280 metre pedestrian-cum-vehicular bridge that will connect the Bayfront and Marina Centre areas. These two infrastructure projects will complete the walking ‘loop’ around the entire Bay linking the Marina Centre, Collyer Quay and Marina City Park, which measures 3.35 km in total. Please see map and perspectives in Annex A for the area the consultancy covers.

The URA is seeking teams of design consultants, both local and foreign, with relevant architectural, urban planning, urban design, civil and structural engineering and landscape expertise to put forward innovative and exciting ideas and design proposals to help realise the vision of developing the waterfront around Marina Bay into a vibrant international destination.

The construction costs for the waterfront promenade area and bridge is estimated to be SGD$40 million and SGD$68 million, respectively.

Developing a vibrant and exciting waterfront

The development of the waterfront promenade and bridge will be the first step in the transformation of Downtown at Marina Bay into a vibrant and exciting premier waterfront within the business district, with a unique set of amenities that will be an attractive destination and thriving focal point for the city.

URA envisions the waterfront promenade to have spaces for events and activities, and lush and colourful planting and art work which will provide a signature image for the area. There could also be different levels and steps to bring people closer to the water’s edge. The bridge could take on a sculptural image and provide lookout points with panoramic views to over the Marina Channel.

Mrs Cheong Koon Hean, URA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We want to create a dynamic, people-friendly and vibrant waterfront. The launch of this design consultancy is a significant milestone; through it, we hope to get ideas and design proposals that will not only create beautiful public places and spaces, but move us closer to building a world-class destination that Singapore will be proud of.”

Details of design consultancy process

The design consultancy consists of three stages:

Stage 1: Interested consultant teams are invited to submit their track record, team composition and ideas for the waterfront area;

Stage 2: A maximum of up to 6 consultant teams will be short-listed by a Design Advisory Panel (DAP), based on their ideas proposal, to proceed to develop a design proposal for the promenade and bridge; and

Stage 3: Based on the design proposals, one or more consultant teams will be appointed by URA to be the project consultant to complete the detailed design development and implementation of the design for the new promenade and bridge.

The DAP, which will evaluate the submissions by the consultant teams, comprises renowned international and local design and real estate professionals. The six-member panel is chaired by URA Chief Planner & Deputy CEO (Physical Planning and Conservation & Urban Design), Mrs Koh-Lim Wen Gin, with the following members:

Professor Joan Busquets
Martin Bucksbaum Professor, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
Member, URA’s International Panel of Architects and Urban Planner

Mr Chan Sui Him
President, Board of Architects, Singapore
Chairman, DP Architects Pte Ltd, Singapore

Mr Philip Ng
Chief Executive Officer, Far East Organization, Singapore

Dr Tan Wee Kiat
Chief Executive Officer, National Parks Board, Singapore

Mr Wong Mun Summ
Director, WOHA Architects Pte Ltd and WOHA Designs Pte Ltd, Singapore
Member, URA Board

Interested consultant teams are required to submit their track record, team composition and an ideas proposal by Friday, 28th May 2004, 12 noon. All questions on the consultancy must be received before Thursday, 13th May 2004, 12 noon. Submission and information on this design consultancy are available at the website http://www.ura.gov.sg/waterfront/index.htm from 16 April 2004.

URA will announce the consultant teams that have been short-listed to proceed to the next stage of the consultancy in July 2004.

Realising the vision for the Downtown at Marina Bay

The new waterfront promenade and bridge are part of the Downtown at Marina Bay, an area which is slated to become a unique business and financial hub, and a seamless extension to the existing CBD, integrated with quality housing, recreational and leisure facilities to provide a total live-work-play environment.

URA had earlier announced a pro-active approach to realising the vision for Downtown at Marina Bay. The Government will put in place key infrastructure and facilities, and introduce activities at the Bay to open up the area and make it more accessible and attractive to the public.

The Government’s initial investment in key infrastructure in the Bay area will amount to $300 million. In addition to developing the waterfront promenade around Marina Bay and new pedestrian cum vehicular bridge, the Common Services Tunnel and the road and sewer network will be extended to bring utilities to serve the new developments.

The development of the Downtown at Marina Bay will require the efforts of a number of agencies. To lend further impetus to the effort, URA has been appointed as the development agency to champion and focus the development efforts in the area. The development agency will better ensure integrated efforts, and is in line with the importance and priority placed on the Downtown at Marina Bay.

The realisation of the plans for the Downtown at Marina Bay will require close public and private partnership. The Government puts in place infrastructure, makes available land for development, and facilitates activities to sustain its vibrancy. We welcome the support and active participation of the private and people sectors to tap on the unique opportunities offered in this development effort.

Small Version:

http://img31.photobucket.com/albums/v94/huaiwei/pr04-09_Page_1.jpg

Big:

http://img31.photobucket.com/albums/v94/huaiwei/pr04-09_Page_1a.jpg

http://img31.photobucket.com/albums/v94/huaiwei/pr04-09_Page_2.jpg

http://img31.photobucket.com/albums/v94/huaiwei/pr04-09_Page_2a.jpg

http://img31.photobucket.com/albums/v94/huaiwei/pr04-09_Page_3a.jpg

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

SPEECH BY MR MAH BOW TAN, MINISTER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR URA'S CORPORATE PLAN SEMINAR 2004 AT ORCHARD HOTEL BALLROOM ON MONDAY, 12 APRIL 2004, 9.00AM

Realising the vision – Singapore, a great place to live, work and play

Chairman URA, Mr Bobby Chin
CEO, URA, Mrs Cheong Koon Hean

Distinguished guests
Colleagues at URA,

Introduction

This year marks URA’s 30th year in urban planning and redevelopment. In the last 30 years, Singapore has undergone a dramatic physical transformation. Our Central Business District (CBD) started from humble beginnings at the mouth of the Singapore River as a trading outpost in the 1800s. By the 1950s, it had become overcrowded, with more than 300,000 living in a small area of around 5 square kilometres.

By the mid-1960s, a newly independent Singapore needed to expand its business district to fuel our economic growth.

URA’s Role In Urban Redevelopment In The Last 30 Years

It was under these circumstances that the Urban Renewal Department, URA’s predecessor, was formed in 1966 to undertake the planning and redevelopment of the business district. Slums were cleared and city residents relocated to new and better housing. Land was re-parcelled and sold for building office blocks, hotels and other facilities.

The scope of the department’s work grew rapidly and, in 1974, the URD became an independent statutory board known as the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Given its planning expertise for the Central Area, URA’s role was further expanded in 1989 to become the central planning authority for the whole island.

Notwithstanding this, development of the CBD remained an important focus of the URA. Infrastructure and urban design guidelines were put in place to facilitate and guide the CBD’s redevelopment and expansion. The result is the business district we have today – a distinctive and unique skyline of skyscrapers juxtaposed with shop houses - a modern metropolis that offers first-class business amenities as well as entertainment, recreational, retail, dining and other supporting facilities.

The Singapore River too, has been transformed, with entertainment, housing and cultural activities lining its banks. Today, a continuous riverfront promenade links the Parliament House with various cultural, F&B and entertainment facilities, as well as some 3000 homes. Soon, we will see home office and commercial developments around the Clarke Quay MRT station, adding more variety and life to the River. The River, once a bustling trading centre, has taken on a new and different lease of life.

These changes did not happen by chance. They were the result of focused efforts by the URA, which saw a vision for the area, and coordinated the efforts of various agencies and expertise to realize these plans. Looking at the developments around us, I congratulate the men and women of URA for a job well done. Their efforts over the past 30 years have not only been confined to planning, but also active facilitation to ensure that plans are implemented. The next 30 years will be even more challenging but I am sure URA will be able to rise up to the new challenges!

URA’s Recent Plans To Enhance Our City

I have already mentioned some of these challenges in Parliament during the Committee of Supply session last month. In the face of increasing global competition, we must adopt an even more pro-active approach to plan for and invest in the necessary infrastructure and software to create an attractive environment. This is one of our strategies to maintain competitiveness and attract new activities into Singapore.

Over the last two years, URA has drawn up many exciting plans to enhance our city centre to make it a great place to live, work and play, for both Singaporeans and visitors. One such area is the Downtown at Marina Bay.

The Marina Bay area has seen exciting new developments and activities: One Fullerton, Esplanade Bridge, the new Merlion Park, the Esplanade Theatres and just last month, the NTUC Centre opened for operation. These new additions have helped to attract more people to the area and enlivened the Marina Bay waterfront.

We have land readily available for development, which allows us to further extend our existing CBD seamlessly. The Government believes it is now an opportune time to implement the plans for the Downtown at Marina Bay.

URA’s Role As A Development Agent

The Downtown at Marina Bay is slated to become a unique business and financial hub, integrated with quality housing, recreational and leisure facilities, providing a total live-work-play environment.

The development of the Downtown at Marina Bay will require the coordinated efforts of all agencies. The Government has tasked the URA to be the development agency to champion and focus efforts on the development of the Downtown at Marina Bay. With this mandate, URA would have the heavy but exciting responsibility to further transform Singapore’s city centre to support and enhance economic growth in the next 15 years.

In addition to its current responsibilities as the master planner, URA will spearhead developments and ‘place-manage’ the Downtown at Marina Bay. It will take on new roles to promote the area and draw developers and investors from around the world to our city.

To provide strategic directions, facilitate decision-making and steer development efforts, I had earlier announced in Parliament that I will chair a steering committee comprising MTI, MOF, MinLaw and relevant government agencies. We have also set aside $300 million to put in key infrastructure and facilities at the Bay area.

Creating a Vibrant Waterfront

Later this week, URA will call an international design consultancy to seek the best ideas and designs for two new exciting projects: one, a 1.5 km waterfront promenade at the Central and Bayfront areas, and two, a 280-m pedestrian-cum-vehicular bridge that will connect the Bayfront and Marina Centre areas. The new promenade and bridge will be constructed by 2008 and will complete the 3.4 km pedestrian ‘loop’ which will link up all the cultural, entertainment and recreational facilities around the Bay. The construction cost for implementation of the waterfront promenade area and bridge is estimated to be SGD$40 million and SGD$68 million, respectively.

The development of the waterfront promenade and the bridge will open up the waterfront area at Bayfront and make it more accessible to the public and future developments. It will set the stage for the BFC. It will transform the area into a vibrant and exciting waterfront location, and make it an attractive destination as well as focal point for the city.

The promenade is envisaged to have spaces for events and activities, with shady retreats and colourful planting to provide a signature image for the area. There could also be different levels and steps to bring people closer to the water’s edge.

The bridge need not just be a road and a walkway. It can take on a sculptural form, and incorporate lookout points with panoramic views to over the Marina Channel, providing a unique water crossing experience.

The possibilities are endless, limited only by our ingenuity and imagination. It is up to us -- industry professionals, planners and stakeholders -- to decide how the new jewel of Singapore will look like. It is a unique opportunity for us to create something special in the heart of our city.

While the Downtown at Marina Bay will take many years to build up, URA will be introducing a series of low-density developments around the Bay for recreation and lifestyle-related uses. These sites, which can be on shorter leases for up to 30 years, will be inter-mixed with high-density developments and other attractions. In this way, we will not only provide amenities for Singaporeans, but also bring the buzz and the life into the area.

In the medium term, the Government could also look into the release of sites fronting Marina City Park for residential uses, to provide more housing options and bring in more live-in population in the Downtown. URA will also be coordinating the ‘software’ aspects of marketing and promoting the Downtown at Marina Bay, working closely with other agencies to draw in the crowds through staging of events and introducing activities in and around the Bay.

Sale of Business and Financial Centre Site

We will be launching the sale of the Business and Financial Centre (BFC) site in May 2004 through the Reserve List system. The BFC developer will be given flexibility to plan, design and build the project in phases to match the growth in market demand, and a flexible payment scheme to lower upfront costs.

Staging The Development

By prioritizing the development efforts, we hope to realise our plans over the next 15 to 20 years. In the next five years or so, we expect the first phase of the BFC to be completed, together with the completion of the waterfront promenade, the pedestrian and vehicular bridge, with some of the low-intensity developments.

The opening up of the Marina Bay through the proposed infrastructure and low-intensity uses will complement the development of the BFC. In around 10 to 15 years, the second phase of the BFC is likely to be completed. A new community will be created at the Bayfront with the completion of the high-density residential developments.

In 15 to 20 years, the Marina Bay can become a great place to live, work and play. Besides prime office space, it will offer a variety of housing options in the heart of the city, with magnificent views out across the waterfront and parks and the city’s attractions.

Enhancing The Existing CBD And City Centre

Even as we develop the Downtown at Marina Bay, we will enhance existing areas in the City, such as the Shenton Way area, the Orchard Road, and the Bras-Basah/Bugis area. These are important to provide a total quality environment that supports business, retail, leisure, culture and creativity.

The existing CBD, which includes the Shenton Way, Raffles Place and Marina Centre areas, will continue to be a vibrant commercial district, forming the CBD core with the new extension at Marina Bay. As the Singapore economy recovers and grows, a range of modern office buildings will be needed to meet the requirements of different types of businesses.

Financial institutions are likely to be the main tenants in the BFC site and other commercial developments in the Downtown at Marina Bay, and some of them may decant from the existing CBD. However, when the overall economy grows in the medium term, the overall demand for office space will increase. New tenants and uses can fill the spaces in the existing CBD.

This will provide the existing CBD with opportunities for rejuvenation. We are already seeing this happening. Some owners of older commercial buildings in the existing CBD have refurbished and modernised their premises in order to stay competitive and attract new tenants. Recent examples include the Singapore Land Tower at Raffles Place, the former IBM Tower at Anson Road and former Chartered Bank Building at Battery Road.

There are also opportunities to redevelop some buildings for complementary uses. Many of the existing office buildings in the existing CBD, in particular in the Shenton Way and Cecil Street areas, have yet to maximise their full development potential under the Master Plan 2003. Thus incentives are already in place for redevelopment of these buildings for commercial or other uses, such as residential developments.

The enhancement of Orchard Road is also being actively explored. URA and STB are now exploring new retail, F&B and entertainment ideas and concepts at some vacant sites along Orchard Road. URA and STB will be consulting with various stakeholders shortly for more ideas. URA has already announced cash incentives to co-fund the development of selected underground links in Orchard and the CBD last month. I sincerely hope building owners will take up this opportunity. Improved connectivity within Orchard Road enhances the experience of visitors to the area and in the end benefits businesses.

As for Bugis/Bras Basah, the numerous private educational institutions and the completion of campuses for NAFA, SMU and LaSalle-SIA, Bras Basah and Bugis are fast making the area a learning hub in the city. More arts and educational centres will be channeled to the area in the future to further build up this hub. With the increasing student population in the area, URA plans to introduce more amenities and activities for the students. An urban entertainment centre site will be launched from the Reserve List in May this year. Student accommodation is also being considered at suitable sites.

Extending Efforts Beyond City Centre

Beyond the city centre, URA is also working to introduce new ideas for a variety of activities. These include plans to activate the Southern Ridges area, by making it more accessible for people and introducing new uses in the area. URA has organized a design competition for the two bridges across Henderson and Alexandra Roads at the Southern Ridges. The competition has received good support with many interesting designs and ideas submitted. URA will announce the winners of the design competition in May this year. When the bridges are completed in end-2006, visitors will be able to walk and jog all the way from Kent Ridge to Mount Faber. In between, they can stop to enjoy the scenic views along the way.

In Punggol, URA is working with the local MP, Ms Penny Low, and her grassroots leaders to see how they can capitalize on Punggol’s coastal location and history to create seafood village there, and to put in place community and recreational uses. All these add variety to our living environment, making it more attractive.

Partnership With Public Service Partners And Private Sector

There are many exciting plans for various places in our city. However, plans can be realized only if all stakeholders work together with a unified vision. URA needs to work in partnership with other government agencies and the private sector, at both the upstream stage of planning, and the downstream stage of implementation. There is a need to tap on ideas from all over – other agencies, industry professionals, the users in the market, and experience overseas – to ensure that plans are relevant, useful, workable, and yet bold and unique. There is an even greater need for consultation and coordination of efforts to ensure smooth implementation of plans. URA can put in the ‘hardware’ and provide the infrastructure and facilities to support growth and development. But for these plans to work, the public sector organization needs the help of the private sector to provide the ‘software’, in the form of new activities, uses and concepts.

URA is using its annual corporate plan seminar as a forum to share its ideas and to hear from the industry, as it has done for the last two years. I hope that at the Q&A session later this morning, you will take the opportunity to share your experiences and offer your insights to how we can make these plans take off.

I encourage you to make good use of this and other opportunities to provide feedback on the plans. I also encourage the planners to take serious heed of all feedback, explore creative suggestions and welcome changes, so that plans can be refined and improved upon. The development of our city is not URA’s responsibility alone. Nor is it for URA’s benefit. Rather, it is for all, especially those of us gathered here today, to embrace this responsibility to create a better Singapore. I hope you will take up this challenge.

Thank you.

"International Design Consultancy for waterfront.........."

Gee, why does that give me the creeps?

I hope the bridge would not be just a plain beam or arch bridge.There are no major suspension bridges here ,so this should be one.

"International Design Consultancy for waterfront.........."

Gee, why does that give me the creeps?
Coz an "international image consultant" gave birth to the "Uniquely Singapore" brand name, and an "international competition" created the Esplanade? :D

so many new developments planned for singapore! very exciting... that's what i like about Singapore; every year or so when i visit there are always so many changes and so many new things..
Welcome to the forum Mr!Kiasu and nice name! Feel free to take your time to browse through the threads here. You Singaporean?
actually i am Canadian but i hope to live and work in Singapore someday

so many new developments planned for singapore! very exciting... that's what i like about Singapore; every year or so when i visit there are always so many changes and so many new things..

actually i am Canadian but i hope to live and work in Singapore someday
That explains your questions in other threads about employment! :D

You should chk out this thread..haha!

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=87328

Coz an "international image consultant" gave birth to the "Uniquely Singapore" brand name, and an "international competition" created the Esplanade? :D

Oh yah!!! That's why. :bash:

This press release is one month old, but it comes with a nice map..so here it is....:D

13 MARCH 2004

URA MOVES TO IMPLEMENT PLANS FOR DOWNTOWN AT MARINA BAY

The Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan announced in Parliament today that the Downtown at Marina Bay will be Singapore’s key focus for development in the next 15 to 20 years.

Cities all over the world are competing aggressively for investments, jobs and tourists. Singapore needs to plan for and invest in our city so as to safeguard our position as a premier place for business and talent. With its waterfront location and availability of unencumbered land, the Downtown at Marina Bay can be Singapore’s competitive advantage, providing the opportunity to develop a unique business and financial hub as a seamless extension to the existing CBD.

The planning vision is to develop the area to provide prime office space for global business and financial institutions, complemented by a full range of residential, shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment activities. The Downtown at Marina Bay will not be just a place for work but will be a business and financial hub that is integrated with quality housing, and recreational and leisure facilities to provide a total live-work-play environment.

Proactive approach to development

The Government will adopt a pro-active approach to realise the vision for Downtown at Marina Bay. The Government will put in place key infrastructure and facilities to open up the area and to make it more accessible and attractive to the public and investors.

The Government’s initial investment in key infrastructure in the Bay area will amount to $300 million. It will go towards developing a waterfront promenade around Marina Bay, a new pedestrian cum vehicular bridge that will link to Marina Centre, as well as the extension of the Common Services Tunnel and the road and sewer network to bring utilities to serve the new developments (see attached plan).

Given the prime location, it is important that the infrastructure works are well designed and relate well to the context, planning and urban design intentions for the area. Hence, URA will be launching two international consultancy studies for the waterfront promenade and for the integrated pedestrian-cum-vehicular bridge to secure the best designs and ideas. URA plans to initiate the promenade consultancy study in late March 2004, followed by the bridge consultancy in mid-2004.

The 3.35km waterfront promenade from Clifford Pier to Marina City Park and the pedestrian cum vehicular bridge to link Bayfront to Marina Centre will improve access and provide more opportunities for the public to enjoy activities at the waterfront. The promenade and bridge are targeted to complete by 2006 and 2008 respectively.

Recreation and lifestyle uses and activities to enliven the area

To activate the Downtown at Marina Bay early, and to ensure its vibrancy in its initial stages, the Government will introduce low-density developments for food and beverage, recreation and lifestyle-related uses. This will create a waterfront destination for Singaporeans and visitors and an amenity centre for the surrounding business and financial firms within Downtown at Marina Bay. These uses will add to the buzz of the Bay area, and enable the build-up of a critical mass of activities.

Downtown at Marina Bay has been successfully used to stage events such as the F1 Power Boat Grand Prix, ZoukOut, fireworks displays, arts and sculpture displays and outdoor movie screenings. URA will continue to work with the other government agencies to bring in more events and attractions to the area for the public to enjoy.

The low-intensity developments can be developed on shorter leases of up to 30 years. They will be interspersed with high density-developments. These shorter-lease uses would bring activities and life to the Bay area and yet allow the land to be re-used for higher intensity developments in the longer term.

URA appointed as Development Agency for Downtown at Marina Bay

The development of the Downtown at Marina Bay will require the efforts of a number of agencies. To lend further impetus to the effort, URA has been appointed as the development agency to champion and focus the development efforts in the area. The development agency will better ensure integrated efforts, and is in line with the importance and priority placed on the Downtown at Marina Bay.

In addition to its current responsibilities, URA’s additional roles as the development agent for Downtown at Marina Bay will be to:

- spearhead and coordinate development efforts in Downtown at Marina Bay;
- implement key infrastructure; and
- carry out active promotion and marketing, and place management for the area.

URA is well suited to take up the role as it has the necessary expertise and experience, having coordinated the development of many key areas in the past, such as Singapore River, China Square and Tanjong Rhu.

The role of a Development Agent is not a new one for URA, but rather an expanded one. In addition to working with other government agencies as to coordinate development efforts for the area, URA will also actively look into the ‘software’ development of the place, e.g. planning and coordinating activities, attractions and events to make the place vibrant and successful. URA will also tap on private sector expertise to ensure that the plans are market orientated and attractive to investors.

Working in partnership for the success of Downtown at Marina Bay

The development of Downtown at Marina Bay will be through joint public and private partnership where the Government puts in place infrastructure and makes available land for private sector development to inject expertise and entrepreneurship.

A vibrant and thriving Downtown at Marina Bay

In the longer term, the successful development of Downtown at Marina Bay will bring in jobs, enhance real estate values and create a vibrant and exciting waterfront area. More importantly, it will reinforce Singapore’s position and competitiveness as a regional and international business and financial hub, one that is well-integrated with quality housing, recreational and leisure facilities to provide a total live-work-play environment.

Mrs Koh-Lim Wen Gin, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Planner, said, “URA has been tasked with an important mission to champion the development of Downtown at Marina Bay into a distinctive and thriving district in the city. By working closely with government agencies, stakeholders and industry players, we hope to strike the right balance, so that Downtown at Marina Bay will be a vibrant place, not just for business, but also for entertainment and leisure.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/pr04-04.gif

so many new developments planned for singapore! very exciting... that's what i like about Singapore; every year or so when i visit there are always so many changes and so many new things..


I feel that way every few months when I return to Singapore on vacation. Sometimes the changes happen so fast that I need to adapt, especially the public transportation :cheers:

Microsoft leases space at new NTUC Centre

New Downtown's first tower is now almost fully taken up, reports Kalpana Rashiwala

20 April 2004

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2004-04-20/ntuc-205426.jpg

MICROSOFT is said to have signed a lease for just over 100,000 sq ft at NTUC Centre at One Marina Boulevard. This means the 31-storey building, the first office tower to be completed in Singapore's New Downtown, is now almost fully committed, sources told BT.

The deal reflects the pick-up in leasing enquiries for prime commercial space as tenants move to better quality buildings, taking advantage of the current office glut to lock in cheaper occupation costs in choice developments, say market watchers.

NTUC Centre, owned by the Singapore Labour Foundation, has about 420,000 sq ft net lettable area and received Temporary Occupation Permit last December.

Other major tenants include law firm Allen & Gledhill, which began operating from its new premises yesterday, and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

Microsoft Singapore and Microsoft Asia-Pacific are operating out of Suntec City, where the software giant occupies a total of about 50,000 sq ft in two office towers. Its leases expire in May next year.

As the space that Microsoft has signed up for at NTUC Centre is substantially more than what it is expected to give up at Suntec, some industry observers are wondering if the software group will also relocate to the New Downtown some of its operations in other buildings.

These include Alexandra TechnoPark, where the software company has a regional operations centre. Its lease for the 35,000 sq ft space runs out in January.

At One Marina Boulevard, Microsoft is said to have inked a lease for at least six years, with options for renewal. Current going rentals for the sort of large space that the group has taken at this location would be above $3 per sq ft a month, estimate market watchers.

Microsoft's offices will be below those of Allen & Gledhill, which occupies the 25th to 31st floors. The law firm was previously at City House.

Singapore property consultants say that the top end of the office market will lead the recovery in office occupancy on the island.

Premium-quality buildings are benefiting from an increase in demand from companies moving to new locations as well as businesses growing their operations, especially foreign banks.

Barclays, Credit Suisse First Boston, BNP Paribas and UBS are among the banks that have expanded their office space requirements over the past year or so.

Besides the usual pick-up in front and back-room operations, some of this expansion has resulted from banks centralising more regional functions in the Republic.

Islandwide office rents slumped about 18 per cent last year but several property consultants are predicting that rates for top-notch office towers in the prime Central Business District will start to firm by the year-end.

However, most of them are not forecasting an overall improvement in islandwide rentals any time soon because of the sheer size of the current glut.

At the end of last year, about 12.6 million sq ft or almost 18 per cent of Singapore's total office stock was vacant, based on official data. 'This figure will have to come down to the single digit before we can see islandwide rental hikes.'

NTUC Centre is the first new project to have been completed in the New Downtown. Nearby, One Raffles Quay, with 1.3 million sq ft of office space in two blocks, is slated to be ready in Q2 2006.

And next to this, City Developments and AIG are developing a massive condo project with about 1,100 units.

Next month, the government will make available for application by developers the massive Business and Financial Centre (BFC) site, which can be developed into 4.7 million sq ft of gross floor area of mostly office space.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline04/skyline04-02/images/p12_01.gif

How can Singapore remain a premier “magnet” for business and talent in future?

Playing an instrumental role will be Downtown at Marina Bay, a seamless extension to the existing Central Business District. Underlining the commitment to its success, the government announced on 13 Mar 2004 a $300-million initial investment in key infrastructure and facilities to open up the area to the public and investors.

Championing Downtown
The past decades have witnessed the successful rejuvenation of several significant areas in the city centre, led by URA. New life was breathed into Singapore River through its clean-up, conservation and adaptive reuse of historic shophouses, and the construction of new tree-lined promenades with outdoor refreshment areas, to create a vibrant mixed use district. China Square was transformed from overcrowded, derelict shophouses into an exciting blend of old and new buildings housing a mix of uses. Over at Tanjong Rhu, ugly shipyards gave way to a modern waterfront residential enclave.

In the next 15 to 20 years, Downtown at Marina Bay will be the next key focus of development. While various public agencies will be involved in realising the vision for a vibrant and thriving downtown, URA is tasked to spearhead and orchestrate development efforts, as well as to actively promote and market the place.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline04/skyline04-02/images/map.jpg

First steps towards a distinctive Downtown

In future, walking or jogging around Marina Bay will be a breeze. Strolling by its extensive waterfront can be another good option for weekend leisure. Besides an integrated pedestrian-cum-vehicular bridge to link Marina Centre to the Bayfront area, the government’s investment will also go towards building a 3.35-km waterfront promenade around Marina Bay. To ensure that these will be well-designed to add to Downtown’s distinctiveness, URA initiated a design consultancy study for the promenade in late March and will call another study for the bridge in May.

Other key infrastructural works include the extension of the Common Services Tunnel and the road and sewer networks. These are essential to serve future developments.

Hip and happening by the Bay

Those who revved it up at the Formula 1 Power Boat Grand Prix or let their hair down at ZoukOut dance party last year can look forward to more such buzz around the Bay soon. One exciting aspect of URA’s role as the development agency is to plan and coordinate activities, events and attractions to make the place abound with life.

The public can look forward to more recreation and lifestyle activities and uses to the waterfront. These will be housed in low-density developments on shorter leases of up to 30 years. Interspersed with longer term, high-density developments, they will attract locals and visitors to the water’s edge, as well as serve as a unique amenity centre for surrounding business and financial firms.

Besides an integrated pedestrian-cum-vehicular bridge to link Marina Centre to the Bayfront area, the government’s investment will also go towards building a 3.35-km waterfront promenade around Marina Bay.

With quality homes and cultural and recreational facilities integrated with offices in the surrounding developments, Downtown at Marina Bay will not just be a city for work, but also for living and play – truly a world-class city for all to enjoy.

In that map, I noticed the footprint for the 245m residential tower has been revised?

Its the same as the bigger one you posted above.

Might be a mistake but maybe this alignment is better as it offers slightly better views for the apartments...

Lowrise?That'll reudce the no. of skyscrapers! :bash:


And they'll tear down part of the ECP?

Those lowrise structures might be temporary. ANyway that portion is already slated to be relatively lowrise so as to give the skyline a sculpted look without making the bay seem like its surrounded by walls.

I dunno anything about tearing down the ECP.

Just look at the picture above.

Just look at the picture above.
Yes they are straightening the ECP and turning it into a semi expressway. Didnt you know this?

So the ECP would stop at the end of Shearse ,and becomes a normal road ,then continue as an expressway again?

So the ECP would stop at the end of Shearse ,and becomes a normal road ,then continue as an expressway again?
No..the whole damn road becomes a semi expressway.

semi expressway?

Meaning?

I think that will likely happen once they have constructed the future Coastal Expressway in about 10-15 years time :)

I only heard of the KPE.

semi expressway?

Meaning?
Semi Expressways are not full expressways...they can have traffic lights, but their speed limit is higher then normal roads.

I think that will likely happen once they have constructed the future Coastal Expressway in about 10-15 years time :)
Yeap correct. The coastal one wont happen so fast, as they need to reclaim lots of land still...:D

so will there be high rise apartments like the one on marina boulevard behind the low rise life style and recreation stuff?

so will there be high rise apartments like the one on marina boulevard behind the low rise life style and recreation stuff?
Something likethat loh. Actually if you see the stimulation models is about what is in the plans here?

hrm ok... wondering if they wer offices or apartments... and you *really* must learn to type 'simulation' withOUT the extra 't'....

hrm ok... wondering if they wer offices or apartments... and you *really* must learn to type 'simulation' withOUT the extra 't'....
Ops....not another typo. :D

Most likely the offices will be facing the bay, while the apartments face the park. I read that somewhere.

hrmm it would be so ncie to live in an apartment that has a panoramic view from marina bay to raffles place..

Well ,now that there is lowrises ,I do not seem to like it this much.:(


Wonder when they'll release info on the devt of Marina South?20 years?:(

Yeap correct. The coastal one wont happen so fast, as they need to reclaim lots of land still...:D

Still? OMG I thought they had already reclaimed all the land they need for that, which is why they are going to build the Marina barrage?

Yah many apartments are planned to face the park. They may be 'lowrise' maybe 20-30 storeys?

The taller buildings will be closer to Raffles Place as can be seen in the height allocation here.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103ndt4.jpg

I still wonder why the hell they are going to dam the Bay.A really ,really bad idea.

I still wonder why the hell they are going to dam the Bay.A really ,really bad idea.thought they have already explained??
the 2 reasons i remember.
1. store more water
2. control flood

actually i dont mind low rises as long as they are individually beautiful and contribute to pretty skyline shape... i mean.. whats the aesthetic point of having 230 240 245 270 280 250 220 m buildings.. and since we'll never have a wtb or anything more than 280m, i'd go for the low rise mixed with high rise solution.. i hope i sound coherent

Muahahaa

Well it is like how the Fullerton contributes to the skyline no matter how short it is?

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 27 May 2004 2032 hrs

By Frederick Lim, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The Urban Redevelopment Authority is throwing in new and novel tender terms to lure developers into bidding for the massive Business and Financial Centre site in the new downtown area at Marina Bay.

These include a flexible payment scheme, longer completion time, and even a risk-sharing plan and they come amid weak market conditions for office property.

However it is in line with the government's push to cement Singapore's position as a global financial centre.

This new downtown at Marina Bay will be Singapore's city centre of the future.

And the site, which can take 4 million square feet of floor space, is envisioned as the "next-generation business centre" for Singapore.

The business and financial centre to be built is seen as a seamless extension of the Central Business District and vital to Singapore's competitiveness as a global financial centre.

Ng Nam Sin, Director, Financial Development, Monetary Authority of Singapore, said: "There is intensive use of IT. There is also this increasing trend of optimising and rationalising the banks' operations, so they are looking for a few key locations globally to locate their critical operations. The BFC will provide this so-called state of the art infrastructure that could cater to such a demand."

But current conditions in the office sector is weak.

To help developers, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has for the first time incorporated flexi-pay and flexi-build schemes into its tender conditions.

The successful tenderer will be allowed to build in phases, and he will only pay for land that comes with each phase together with options for subsequent phases.

Choy Chan Pong, Director, Land Administration, URA, said: "We cannot expect him to pay the whole land price upfront. Then the risk will be too high. That's why we have this risk sharing scheme where he only pays an option fee and then pay for the land whenever he needs to build it, in which case, only when he gets the demand then he will buy the land and build the development. So this will help in a long way to lower his risk."

The risk sharing also extends to adjustments in the unit bid prices for later phases.

It will be pegged to future development charges for commercial land use and the URA will bear half the amount of price rise if the market moves up.

The project completion period allowed for each phase is 8 years and the completion of the whole project can be stretched to 18 years.

The URA says already it has received a number of expressions of interest from both local and foreign parties.

The Real Estate Developers Association of Singapore hails the URA's approach as pragmatic by going out of its way to ensure financial viability of the projects through phasing out the developments.

The Association says this will help to maintain stability in the property market and avoid the hollowing out of the existing CBD.

But it cautions that any developer bidding for the project will have to take account of the size of the BFC project and the current 8 million square feet of vacant office space.

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

I still think that damming the Bay is a really bad idea.Sgp would be one of the very few major cities in the world which has a reservior so close to the skyline.

why is it a bad idea?

I still think that damming the Bay is a really bad idea.Sgp would be one of the very few major cities in the world which has a reservior so close to the skyline.
It's the solution to the flooding in the city. How could it be bad? :bash:

Can the barrage open up for boats to cruise in or something?

I wonder how could damming the Bay prevent flooding?

Can the barrage open up for boats to cruise in or something?

I wonder how could damming the Bay prevent flooding?
Erm....simple geography will tell u floods occur here during high tides. If you dam it up, then no more tides liao loh!! :bash: :D

And no open barricades obviously. Which reservoir in Singapore lets u move an ocean-going vessel into it?

I still think that damming the Bay is a really bad idea.Sgp would be one of the very few major cities in the world which has a reservior so close to the skyline.
What is wrong with having a reservior close to the skyline?

Rather odd ,mah!

Most cities are by the sea ,river or lake ,but ours would be by a reservior!

Land for auction to attract foreign investors


THE Urban Redevelopment Authority said on Thursday it would auction off a piece of reclaimed land, the site of planned new business district, as it tries to attract more foreign investment to the country.

International and local developers have been invited to bid for a 3.55-hectare empty plot next to the gleaming skyscrapers of the existing financial district.

The Government has dubbed the section of reclaimed land the Business and Financial Centre. Officials say they hope it'll become a glitzy urban centre when it's completed over the next three decades.

It's intended 'to cater to the specific needs of financial institutions and global businesses,' said URA head Cheong Koon Hean. -- AP

but a reservoir would look just like any other body of water mar...

Rather odd ,mah!

Most cities are by the sea ,river or lake ,but ours would be by a reservior!
And does it really matter what kind of water it is? some got no water at all leh...how?? :D

Rather odd ,mah!

Most cities are by the sea ,river or lake ,but ours would be by a reservior!
http://app.stb.com.sg/Data/pages/wnew/Uniquely%20Singapore1.jpg :D

http://app.stb.com.sg/Data/pages/wnew/Uniquely%20Singapore1.jpg :D

Muahaha.....what an appropriate explaination......:D

Good one kenmin!

:rofl:

It's time to remake ageing parts of CBD

By Tan Hui Yee

ABOUT 646,000 sq ft of office space, equivalent to the office space in one of the taller Suntec City towers, may come on stream in the new downtown area in Marina Bay as early as 2008 if the business and financial centre site put on the Government's reserve list on Thursday is taken up by developers. Up to around 4 million sq ft more space can be built on the site.

Despite concerns that it might cause a hollowing out of the existing Central Business District (CBD), the site is being pushed because of its strategic importance.

The Government argues that the business and financial centre - which will be built on the third parcel of land in its 372ha new downtown project put on the market - is necessary to draw new investment into the country and will be a key competitive advantage in keeping Singapore a financial centre.

It was meant as an extension of the existing CBD in Shenton Way, and not a replacement, it says.

But some landlords are unhappy as 17.8 per cent of the space islandwide is already sitting vacant. That is 12.5 million sq ft.

With the glut, many businesses have also pressed for lower rentals.

Their worries might be partly addressed by the Government's move to allow the introduction of new office space to be staggered. Developers can pay for and develop the land in phases over a period of up to 18 years.

Still, property consultants feel that landlords will most likely be hit when the newer, larger and state-of-the-art premises at the prime waterfront location in Marina Bay come on stream.

In particular, they will draw away big international financial outfits and other multinationals away from the existing business district, they say.

What are the pluses of the new site?

The chief advantage is the large 'floor plates' that the buildings can have, which would allow a company to accommodate all its operations in one huge office on one floor instead of splitting them up.

A Monetary Authority of Singapore official tells The Straits Times that some banks are on the lookout for premises with floor plates as large as 50,000 sq ft, which is about 20,000 sq ft bigger than what is available now.

Also, the site will offer stunning views of the bayfront, an underground mall, nearby waterfront residences and public attractions that could take the form of art galleries or museums.

The site will also be linked to the Raffles Place, Marina Bay and a possible third MRT station.

The massive site also allows the developer to cater to the needs of pre-committed tenants, for example, by building service apartments for their employees, says the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Mr Calvin Yeo, director of commercial leasing at Colliers International, says of the entire development: 'It's not about quantity of office space, but the quality.'

Singapore needs offices to be able to compete with the likes of the International Financial Centre in Hong Kong, he says. 'In this sense, the new business and financial centre is a necessary evil.'

So can Shenton Way survive, or even continue to thrive?

The answer is yes - if the economy continues to grow, and if sections of the CBD are redeveloped.

Consultants say the bulk of the vacant office space is in the older CBD buildings with smaller floor plates and less up-to-date facilities.

Says Mr Nicholas Mak, associate director of Chesterton International: 'Some of these office buildings are more than 20 years old and really showing their age. They need a really good overhaul.'

Consultants point out that building owners would be forced to upgrade or even redevelop, should there be an exodus from their buildings.

Perhaps it is time to consider remaking the ageing parts of the existing CBD.

One option is to redevelop these buildings into residences. But developers will make the change only if it makes financial sense.

Consultants suggest that the Government make the conversion easier by giving bonus plot ratios, so they can pack more in floor area than what is allowed under the current masterplan. Some also ask for discounts for the premium paid during the redevelopment of their land for residential use, as well as discounts for topping up of leases.

Putting more residential areas in the CBD would also liven up the nightlife of the area, which tends to be dead by dusk. It would also correspond with the URA's vision of creating a 'live-work-play' environment in the city.

But there are several considerations here:

• One, many of these office buildings are strata-titled properties. This requires all the owner-occupiers or landlords to agree to the sale or redevelopment of the building - a difficult task, according to consultants.

• Secondly, the Government has to be careful not to wipe out such small office buildings altogether, as they still serve the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.

• Finally, how big is the market for city-living? Will there be enough yuppies, singles, young couples and expatriates - the traditional takers of city homes - to buy these homes?

The answer may lie in the public's response to City Developments' 1,100-unit residential project at Marina Boulevard later this year.

The 70- and 61-storey blocks by the Marina Bay waterfront, one of which resembles a giant sail, will be the first homes to be built in the new downtown. Reception to the project will be a barometer of sentiment towards city living.

Says analyst Tay Kah Poh of Knight Frank: 'The real test will come with that launch. It it does well, that's a good sign.'

The answer may lie in the public's response to City Developments' 1,100-unit residential project at Marina Boulevard later this year.

The 70- and 61-storey blocks by the Marina Bay waterfront, one of which resembles a giant sail, will be the first homes to be built in the new downtown. Reception to the project will be a barometer of sentiment towards city living.

Says analyst Tay Kah Poh of Knight Frank: 'The real test will come with that launch. It it does well, that's a good sign.'

I cant wait! :drunk:

SOM designed a 4.5 million square foot bank headquarters complex in Singapore to contain office, retail, service apartments, amentities and parking to be completed in 2007.

http://www.som.com/resources/projects/4/6/2/aerialfinal2_2079.jpg

More pics in the SOM site, It was in flash so couldnt link them here....:)

i've seen those too but never really heard anything about them? well nwo that they're developing the area it might really be built.. i hope the glass is as transparent as it looks in teh rendering..

btw huaiwei that's a great list! can't imagine how much time you put into that

is there a studio 8 somewhere around orchard also? i dont think its on the list..

hmm..the size is right for that plot, but I dont think they will build it by 2007. Its not in the news and the next project is the BFC.

hmm..the size is right for that plot, but I dont think they will build it by 2007. Its not in the news and the next project is the BFC.
Yeah..it kindof reminds me of the SOHO development at Clarke Quay?

Anyway heir, that list wasent done by me alone...Raffie added most of the residential listings!

hehe..anyway the last few posts will be split and merged with the New Downtown thread:cool:

hrmmm wait a minute... 4.5 million square feet sounds familiar?

explain? Is that the arae of BFC?

hrmmm wait a minute... 4.5 million square feet sounds familiar?
Sounds like the same as the BFC?

yep... but no connection is there? different plots of land?

yep... but no connection is there? different plots of land?
Maybe SOM didnt even noe which plot the government is talking about at that time? :D

maybe :D but so short! i thought that plot can g up to 245 m?!

the 1 raffles boulevard by who? som too?

maybe :D but so short! i thought that plot can g up to 245 m?!

the 1 raffles boulevard by who? som too?
The rendering looks short? Well....I think its shorter coz its nearer to the water front as impossed by the plans or something.

Thats true, plus they are near the CBD which is already quite tall.

Buildings like Maybank seem short but if stood alone are quite gigantic.

Too many restrictions! :bash:

Imagine if we had no restrictions...
We might have the tallest building in the world!

for about 2 weeks perhaps.

Huh? :? :? :? :?

i meant such titles are very fleeting and superfluous. wouldnt hurt though.

vb

Too many restrictions! :bash:

Imagine if we had no restrictions...
We might have the tallest building in the world!

That would be so nice..... But it'd have to look great too.

www.som.com

why did you put up SOM's link heir?

uh i dunno ... i thought i saw someone asking for it.... seems like it disappeared :o

Step up role in New Downtown, developers urged

24 Nov 04

Storm is starting to clear in property market: minister

By ANDREA TAN


(SINGAPORE) As the storm clouds begin to clear on the property horizon, developers should play a larger role in shaping Singapore through the development of the New Downtown.

Minister of State for National Development and Defence Cedric Foo said this last night at the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas) 45th anniversary dinner.

Mr Foo, who was at his first Redas dinner since assuming his national development portfolio, said it appears that the 'storm is beginning to clear' in the property market after the Asian financial crisis, Sept 11, the Bali bomb blast and then Sars derailed the sector. His views were shared by property developers, including Redas president Kwee Liong Keng.

'Property prices have at last touched bottom and have begun to rise in the last two quarters, compared with falls registered in the previous nine,' Mr Kwee said.

'While Singapore's upturn has lagged behind other regional markets such as Hong Kong, Jakarta and Bangkok which have already seen substantial appreciation, I am optimistic that this upward trend will continue into the new year, a view shared by many developers I have spoken to.'

Prices of private homes rose 0.4 per cent in Q3 against the preceding quarter while those for office space inched up 0.6 per cent. The increases however lag behind the growth in the Singapore economy, which expanded 9.1 per cent in the first nine months of the year.

'I am also confident that this marks only the beginning of a sustained upturn and that we are entering a period of gradual and steady appreciation,' Mr Kwee said.

But Mr Kwee also sounded a note of caution.

'While we look forward to better times ahead... we must also be careful that today's improved confidence does not lead to a flood of new supply that could derail our long-awaited recovery,' he said.

City Developments said the improving economy is expected to accelerate the improvement in the office sector and with limited supply in the next 12 months or so, occupancy and rental rates are expected to improve faster next year.

CapitaLand said: 'Overall, the Singapore property market has stabilised and most signs are pointing to an uptrend.

'The office outlook in Singapore has turned positive, with greater leasing activities especially for Grade-A offices and firmer rentals. The residential property market is also showing an upturn. We have seen more people visiting our showflats, staying longer and making repeated visits. These interests are translating into home sales.'

'Foreign purchasers have also become more active. The nascent recovery of the Singapore real estate market will present opportunities for players to launch new and innovative products, which will in turn help to stimulate purchasers' interest and build the momentum for a full recovery.'

Knight Frank managing director Tan Tiong Cheng said: 'The last two quarters we have seen some recovery in prices but the recovery is patchy and not everything moves in tandem. The economic outlook is still very positive and whatever adjustments one has to make on the CPF changes, there's sufficient time for those.

'The outlook is generally positive... With the economy doing much better, a lot of businesses are looking for larger space and relocate. The office market is looking much brighter than a year ago.'

The government has ambitious plans to transform a huge tract of land at Marina Bay into the next financial centre. Mr Foo said Singapore cannot afford to stand still in its plans in the light of strong global competition from London, Dubai and Shanghai.

The Business Financial Centre (BFC) with some four million square feet of space is one such plan. Developers had in the past expressed concerns over the potential flood of office space that could come on.

'The government is mindful of concerns that the potential injection of significant amount of space into the market even before it has fully recovered will affect the value of the property market and existing assets,' Mr Foo said.

'However while the concerns over new developments are valid, the more relevant question is to ask whether we can afford not to do so. To stay ahead in the competition, both government and industry must adopt a longer term perspective and proactive measures to plan for and stimulate strategic developments.'

It is not the first time a minister has sought to assure developers and nudge them into being interested in the BFC.

The land at the new downtown is a possible site for the proposed future casino.

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2004-12-30/301204_atgraphics_p1.jpg

Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Argh...............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bash: :bleep:



Casino so near to CBD?!?!:eek:
And there goes the Bay surrounded by skyscrapers...
Hope it gets shoved......

ya, the CBD waterfront should remain a pristine emblem of sophistication being the prime plot of land in the NDT. To turn it into some casino / resort will render it only as inspiring as those waterfront casinos in Melbourne. The 2 remaining promontories shouldn't be touched lah, other than for development into world class museum institutions or sth. its the only way we can pip hong kong's wkcd if we still stand any chance. The NDT is supposed to usher in an enlightened era in architecture and lifestyle. there should be nothing commercial or spandex about it.

this resort thingy is getting overrated

a casino resort could have skyscrapers no?

yup true...but I dont want the NDT to become synonymous with a casino..like nicholasliha said...dont want it to be too 'spandex' :lol:

anyway theres more potential to develop a really ultra luxurious getaway resort on Sentosa

There were some residuals on the internet about some "China Commercial Centre" development. What's it about?

www.zaobao.com/special/singapore/pages2/sg_cn150504a.html
www.geocities.com/propertytycoonguy/sng_promontory.html

Hi welcome to the forum 'Worlds of Earth' ! :cool:

I dont really know what is the China Commerical Centre, but I remember reading that it is something to do with promoting trade with China and that its offices will contribute to office demand, which will drive the demand for space in the new downtown.

YES! HI WORLD OF EARTH! ARE YOU SINGAPOREAN?
anyway, I loved that concept. i designed a koi like scraper for that purpose. white jade porcelain like cladding. gentlest contours for the fish stomach and eyes. it won't see the light of day though.

yes

I dreamt of the world's tallest building behind Central Promontory...

i wasn't that ambitious. just something taller than our tallest now.

I wonder when Marina Boulevard would be opened...

I can only guess it will open about the same time or slightly earlier than 1 Raf Quay?

Naming a building on a road that has not opened yet, and the main entrance is there...

15 April 2005

Overview of the area
http://tinypic.com/4trosg

Why is the entire area under construction? Are they building roads?

I think they are building the Common Services Tunnel, CST, and of course they will have to put in new roads once the buildings are up.

http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-05-03/050503asview23copy.gif

Found an article from CNA.
Anyone has any resource to show the new line for Circle line??
When does the full fledged Circle Line be fully completed?

I remember that the govt plans to include 2 more lines stretching from Woodlands to one of the stations on Eastern point via Punggol?

Is the plan still under review or on hold?
:runaway:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SINGAPORE : The government has given the green light for an MRT extension in the new downtown that will bring commuters straight to new developments like the integrated resort and the new financial centre at Marina Bay.

The 3.4-kilometre fully underground line will start at Millenia station of the Circle Line.

It will then go on to a station called Bayfront to serve the integrated resort and the second Botanical Gardens, which is linked by underground to the resort.

It will then move on to a third station called Landmark that will serve the new business and financial centre there, near 1 Raffles Quay.

The line will then serve Cross Street before ending up at China Town, an interchange station.

The five-station line will be run by SMRT.

It will cost $1.4 billion to construct and is expected to be completed by 2012. - CNA/de

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi ZXAVIER

please check out the thread on MRT/LRT news, we have just discussed about this

Circle Line extension set to liven up New Downtown and CBD

15 Jun 05

By Daryl Loo

PROPERTY developers said yesterday that three new MRT stations to be built as an offshoot of the Circle Line will add life and excitement to both the New Downtown area and the Central Business District (CBD).

The developers say the MRT extension will significantly enhance the appeal of the proposed business and financial centre (BFC) and integrated resort (IR) sites at Marina Bay.

Commuters, tourists and other visitors will find it much easier to get to these new developments as the MRT extension will include Bayfront station next to the IR and Landmark station beside the BFC.

Hong Leong Group spokesman Gerry de Silva said: 'We have expressed our interest in the BFC and the IR at Marina Bay. The announcement of the new stations only reinforces our interest in these two major projects in the area.'

Easier access resulting from the extension, he added, would also liven up the group's office buildings such as Republic Plaza and Hong Leong Building, and its condominium The Sail @ Marina Bay, currently being built.

A third station, the previously unannounced Cross Street station at the junction of Cross and Telok Ayer streets, will also boost traffic to other commercial developments in the CBD, developers told The Straits Times.

Far East Organization spokesman Chia Boon Pin, visibly surprised at the inclusion of the station, said: 'This is fantastic news for Far East Square, because while we're bustling in the day, our nightlife has been rather weak.'

Far East Square, a collection of restaurants, retailers and offices housed in restored shophouses, will adjoin the Cross Street station when the extension is completed in 2012.

Following the announcement of the new extension, the Government also said yesterday that it will extend the BFC's tender closing date from next Tuesday to July 7.

This is for prospective BFC tenderers to factor in timing requirements for building an underground walkway and retail spaces that will link to the Landmark station, it said.

Mr Donald Han, the managing director of property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield, expects the eventual successful BFC bidder to be encouraged to speed up the initial eight-year completion deadline given for the project's first phase.

'If the extension is finished in 2012, they'll want to take advantage of the passenger traffic as soon as possible,' he said.

Knight Frank's director of research and consultancy, Mr Nicholas Mak, feels the new extension, in particular the Cross Street station, could give older office buildings in the area a new lease of life.

'The authorities tend to release additional plot ratios for developments near MRT stations. Coupled with the expected rise in traffic, owners may be more willing to redevelop these older buildings.'

Business Times - 07 Jul 2005

What's on the horizon for Marina Bay?

Plans for the area seem far from certain, although ramifications for the property market are manifold. ARTHUR SIM reports

THE market is certainly taking its time in setting out a future for Marina Bay.

When asked at a recent property seminar about plans for the area, Richard Hoo of the Urban Redevelopment Authority said: 'Very frankly, we do not have specific plans.' Mr Hoo, the URA's deputy director of land administration, sales and research, added: 'We take our cue from the market.'

He was referring in part to the government's reserve list system which, in simple terms, allows the market to trigger land sales by committing a bid at a price the government finds acceptable. The sites and trigger price are determined by the government. The most important recent site to be triggered this way is the Business and Financial Centre (BFC) site at Marina Bay.

This system sounds quite reasonable if not for property expert, Peter Ow, Knight Frank executive director, saying at the same seminar that even though the reserve list system has a stabilising effect on the market, 'the market is very much controlled by the government'.

So does the market drive property development or is it controlled by the government? The ramifications are manifold. Consider the impact of the BFC and the integrated resorts (IRs) on the property market. Combined, the IR and BFC at Marina Bayfront will add a 1.07 million sq m of gross floor area to a market that is only starting to recover. There is of course an upside too, and some might argue that news of the impending Marina Bay developments helped spur sales of the City Development Ltd's (CDL) The Sail @ Marina Bay and Ho Bee Group's The Berth at Sentosa Cove.

The Government Land Sales programme is not the only way the government controls property development. By approving the change of use or increase in plot ratio - which is done on a case-by-case basis in the city - it can also trigger development or, rather, redevelopment.

This may be why CDL decided to hang on to No 1 Shenton Way instead of offering it to Suntec Reit in the package that included nine buildings and two carpark buildings in June. No 1 Shenton Way is next to The Sail and could have immense development potential. It has been said that CDL may decide to redevelop the site itself. When contacted, a CDL spokesman said: 'URA has been encouraging property developers in CBD to assess the redevelopment potential of their properties. We are keen to explore the redevelopment possibilities of the various properties in the central district, especially the older ones like No 1 Shenton Way.'

Redevelopment

Another developer, that has been 'encouraged' by the government to redevelop in the CBD is Far East Organization (FEO), which is in a more advanced stage of redeveloping NatWest Centre in Telok Ayer Street. FEO's COO of property sales, Chia Boon Kuah, says: 'The outstanding sales at two of our new concept developments (Icon and SoHo @ Central) within the CBD area has underscored the readiness and sophistication of the Singapore population to choose homes and office homes within the inner city. This is a lifestyle that the planning authority has been encouraging.'

The government may have been encouraging property owners to redevelop, but it has decided that it will not similarly 'encourage' bidders for the BFC site by saying it will extend the moratorium on land sales in the CBD when it expires at the end of the year. This move may be open to interpretation. Justin Chiu, executive director of Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Holdings, said last week that one of the group's partners in a consortium that plans to bid for the BFC site was worried that the government could release more office supply in future in the New Downtown. This meant that they would be 'very cautious on the bidding price'. Investors looking at longer term capital appreciation have to consider that there is still 300 ha of land next to the BFC.

The URA has often reiterated that what it wants to see is the realisation of its 'Live, Work and Play' concept in the Marina Bay area. The Work (BFC) and Play (IR) component have already been activated. Could the government now be focusing on the Live component?

The managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle, Yu Lai Boon, believes that the BFC site will not only 'shift focus to the proposed new downtown but also help trigger urban renewal in the existing CBD'.

Dr Yu points out that the decision to upgrade and redevelop may be based on the economic viability of the proposed project but adds: 'The relaxation of guidelines from the relevant authorities also assists the building owners in their decision making process. The development of the BFC coupled with the increasing demand of modern space with large, rectangular shaped floor plates and the new development concept of 'work, play and live' in the inner city area will help expedite the urban renewal and prompt more building owners to redevelop, upgrade or even change the use of their current office buildings.'

Ideally, the old CBD will be redeveloped in ways that would attract a critical mass that would support a vibrant city. But by selling some of its office buildings to Suntec Reit, CDL implies that it has decided not to redevelop the sites itself. Reit managers are traditionally not property developers either.

Dr Yu also reveals an emerging trend in the office rental market: 'In addition to the 'flight-to-quality' trend, a new trend of 'flight-to-value' is slowly emerging as Prime Grade A office rents escalate further, amid a tight supply situation. Occupiers requiring a CBD business location but have a tighter budget are attracted to well located Grade B office buildings. As such, the demand for Grade B office space is likely to strengthen as Grade A rents climb to a much higher level and become less affordable to this group of cost conscious occupiers.'

The shape of the CBD and Marina Bay still seems far from certain. The market has spoken. Is anyone listening?

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

Singapore to promote Marina Bay as main focal point for city

21 Jul 05

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/phpDCNC7q.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. - CNA /ch

exciting. Saw this earlier... good news. :)

btw, Singapore Flyer construction is going to start too ;)

:eek2:

how do you know?

was the news clip on this interesting? What did it show?

maybe, hear wrongly... was coughing and watching news at the same time...

I did see the Singapore Flyer in the videoclip...

Here's a News Release from URA.

21 July 2005

MARINA BAY– A MILESTONE IN SINGAPORE'S FUTURE


The Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan, today outlined plans to promote Singapore’s Marina Bay area and make it a new focal point for the city. Mr Mah also unveiled the new “Marina Bay” brand that will be used to promote the entire area encircling the bay.


Marina Bay – a beacon for change and progress

Marina Bay is a beacon of change and progress for Singapore, reflecting the country’s willingness to embrace change in order to compete. The entire area is designed with people in mind and includes a mix of commercial, residential and entertainment, all set within a distinctive garden city on the bay.

The new brand would be an important part of building an identity for Marina Bay. Marina Bay brand provides the area with a personality everyone can relate to. The brand does not focus on land, or on buildings. It focuses on people and how they explore, exchange and entertain.

The logo, colours and branding of Marina Bay have been carefully designed to capture the heart and soul of the area and the vision for its future.

The Marina Bay logo is an elliptical symbol of three colours, each representing the different elements of the area – namely, a place to explore (orange), exchange (magenta) and entertain (green). The centre of the logo is blue, representing the bay as a focal point for the area.
Link to Logo - http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/pr05-29a1.pdf

Orange represents “explore” (live) and the vibrancy of life. It will provide a variety of living options and public spaces.

Magenta represents “exchange” (work) and networking and ideas. The state-of-the-art business and financial district which is alive with business opportunities and conference venues.

Green represents “entertain” (play) where people can enjoy the waterfront activities and lush tropical gardens by the bay. It will include café’s, restaurants and dining, arts and cultural activities, shows and live entertainment.

The combined elements reflect the vision for Marina Bay to be a beacon of change for Singapore and show the way for future cities. The brand creates a clear identity for Marina Bay to promote both in Singapore and overseas.

Significant progress had already been made on the massive Marina Bay project, with work underway on both commercial and residential developments, the award of a tender for the new Business and Financial Centre and substantial international interest in the proposed Integrated Resort.


URA as place manager for Marina Bay

URA Chief Executive Officer Mrs Cheong Koon Hean said URA was acting as a “place manager”, taking a holistic approach to planning and development to integrate the hardware and software of Marina Bay.

“We have always ensured an integrated planning approach, which considers factors like quality urban design and the timely development of infrastructure and services.”

“We are now going further and paying attention to some of the intangible elements, including the need to create a feeling and sense of place for Marina Bay,” said Mrs Cheong.

URA plans to take Marina Bay to international property conferences over the next year, enabling URA to talk to international investors, property analysts and media about the project and business opportunities.

And, although Marina Bay will be a busy construction site in the next few years, URA plans to start now to give people locally a reason to visit the area.

In line with this, URA will be actively encouraging the staging of public events and celebrations on and around the water.

In September, the F1 Powerboat World Championship Singapore Marina Bay Grand Prix 2005 will be held. The event is expected to attract thousands of spectators and be televised internationally, showcasing Marina Bay in the process.

In addition, a major New Year’s Eve countdown celebration would be held at Marina Bay this year – the first of an annual event.

“Other public events on or around the bay will have a common objective: to encourage Singaporeans to visit Marina Bay and enjoy the waterfront experience with their friends and families,” said Mrs Cheong.

“Ultimately, we want to make Marina Bay the place to be in Singapore. We can start that by building a buzz locally and experience shows that where local people go, tourists will follow.”

SPEECH BY MINISTER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MR MAH BOW TAN AT THE BRIEFING ON MARINA BAY KEY DEVELOPMENTS AND BRAND LAUNCH ON 21 JULY 2005 AT 9.30AM, TOWER CLUB, 62ND FLOOR REPUBLIC PLAZA


MARINA BAY: A BEACON OF CHANGE AND PROGRESS FOR SINGAPORE

Introduction

It is my pleasure to be here this morning, to celebrate the launch of the brand name for the Marina Bay area. From this vantage point in the heart of the CBD, we look with pride and anticipation at the significant developments in this area, as well as the future possibilities in the making even as we speak. Much has been achieved in the development of Marina Bay in the last five years, and many more new exciting things are being planned.


The hardware: pieces of the jigsaw falling in place

Like a gigantic jigsaw puzzle, the significant pieces are rapidly falling into place to create the picture of a distinctive waterfront city in a garden.

Our vision for Marina Bay is that of a 24/7 live-work-play environment that epitomizes the global city we envisage Singapore to be. Marina Bay is to be a place for thriving business, gracious living, and endless entertainment. It is to be a place of creativity, arts and culture, architectural excellence, world-class recreation, global commerce and modern city life.

Live

What has happened on the ground is most gratifying. The construction of the first landmark residential development, The Sail @ Marina Bay is well underway and the development is expected to be completed by 2009.

Work

The NTUC Centre is fully operational while One Raffles Quay, which will provide Grade A office space, is substantially underway.

Just last week, yet another big piece of the jigsaw fell into place when we awarded the Business and Financial Centre (BFC) to a consortium comprising Keppel Land, HongKong Land and Cheung Kong Holdings.

We need to ensure that Singapore remains one of the most pro-business countries in the world and a gateway to opportunity throughout Asia. The development of the BFC supports this. It will cater to growing demand for prime office space in our CBD over the next 10 years and beyond.

The BFC tender attracted nine bids from local as well as regional players. This signals confidence in Singapore’s economy and is a stamp of approval from developers in our plans for Marina Bay.

Play

The Marina Bay will also be one huge playground for Singaporeans and visitors alike. In about 4 to 5 years, the Integrated Resort, the second Botanic Gardens, the promenade, and the Marina Barrage will be ready for our enjoyment and entertainment! Not far away, the Clifford Pier should also have been transformed into another activity hub.

Infrastructure

The successful development of Marina Bay is supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure. We have taken pains to provide timely and appropriate services and facilities to enable the smooth functioning of Marina Bay.

We are close to completing the first phase of the Common Services Tunnel (CST) which will provide electricity, water, cooling water and telecommunications for the entire area. Singapore is the first country in Southeast Asia to implement the CST on a comprehensive scale for Marina Bay. Tenders for the second phase of the CST and supporting infrastructure have been called.

Singapore's MRT network will also be extended to the Marina Bayfront area, with three new stations added to the Circle Line now being built. To be called Downtown Extension, it will offer seamless connections to and within the Marina Bay area.


Software: the colour and the shine

Marina Bay is not only an important addition to our business and commercial scene, but also a great place for people to live and play. The entire area is designed to create living communities, nodes of life and memorable events. There are plans to create public spaces for the public to gather, and to develop lifestyle and F&B uses along the waterfront to generate activity. Marina Bay will also be a great venue for mega events that will draw people from all over. The software will not be neglected. While buildings may give shape and form, it is the people and activities that add soul to a place.

This will be an important factor in setting us apart from other cities, and was a major consideration in the development of our brand name for the area.

Facing competition

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 face increasing competition amongst many cities for the same global pool of investment, talent and jobs.

Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the most competitive nations and best places for business. We are also ranked as one of the best places to live. However, globalisation has made cities increasingly similar in what they can offer. The key to Singapore’s success lies in our ability to distinguish ourselves from the rest, capitalizing on our strengths and uniqueness.

As the Development Agency for the Marina Bay, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has moved beyond its traditional role to act as a place manager for Marina Bay. It will not only co-ordinate infrastructure development, but also will work with other agencies and stakeholders to also give Marina Bay a true sense of place. It will promote the area and attract people to visit or invest in it. To add to this effort, URA has come up with a branding exercise to help us market the area both locally and internationally.

The brand

Place branding, like product branding, is one of the means to create a differentiation that will appeal to the buyers’ emotions, and interest them to invest and to visit. Place branding goes beyond the logo and tagline. It has to define a compelling central idea and vision that will set the place apart from its competitors, while staying relevant and inspirational to the audience. The brand must also be credible and credibility is achieved through consistent actions in the product, processes and communication.

Today, I am pleased to formally launch the brand for the area: Marina Bay.

The brand was developed through research and consultation with developers, retailers, restaurant owners, entertainment companies, tourism interests and many others.

The name is not new. But what has been used informally so far has now endeared itself to all parties. “Marina Bay” has a strong connection with people. The locals and even some foreign investors are familiar with the name. URA has market tested the name internationally with professionals, investors and lay people and they have found the name to be attractive and at the same time, evokes an appealing imagery.

URA will promote Marina Bay overseas, via this new brand, which also fits well with Singapore’s international positioning as a great place to live, work and play.

The brand builds on this with a new tagline of Explore, Exchange and Entertain.

Marina Bay will be a great place to live, where people will explore the waterfront, the botanic gardens and the many cultural options available. It will provide new housing for city living.

Marina Bay will also extend our commercial district, with state of the art offices where people will exchange ideas and learning.

And Marina Bay will be an important entertainment centre, with major attractions like the Integrated Resort and the Singapore Flyer, complementing facilities like the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay.

Making it happen – a partnership

No one party can make Marina Bay a success by itself. It requires a close collaboration by many different players to bring the place to life.

Today’s launch of the Marina Bay brand is an important milestone for us but its ultimate success lies in what we do over the next few years to promote it and develop it.

We are looking forward to this journey and showing how Marina Bay – and, indeed Singapore - is breaking new ground in the way cities are planned and developed.

Thank you.

i wonder who was in attendance at the briefing, were there intl brandname consortiums begging for a piece of the ndt pie, or was it just us and CNA, beamed live to hotel suites in shanghai when you can't find the channel for CNN.

there wasn't much new about today's briefing. I was hoping for something like "Singapore Flyer cancelled" or "Gehry designs a casino that doesn't look like a casino" or "height limit breached, paya lebar airbase retrenched".

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.'

which videoclip?
on cna..what is about? sorry..cos i missed it and i am curious what it is showing there.

:runaway:

tks

maybe, hear wrongly... was coughing and watching news at the same time...

I did see the Singapore Flyer in the videoclip...

It was on the TV news yesterday. :)

Bay area to stage New Year countdown

22 Jul 05

By Goh Chin Lian

A MAJOR New Year's Eve countdown will be conducted at Marina Bay this year, and every year after that.

The idea is to make the event an annual tradition, like the celebrations at Times Square in New York and Trafalgar Square in London, where thousands gather to ring in the new year.

It is part of a larger plan to make it 'the place to be' in Singapore.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which is behind this push, said: 'We can start that by building a buzz locally. Experience shows that where the locals go, tourists follow.'

Undeterred that there will be a lot of construction going on - with an integrated resort, second Botanic Gardens and MRT line coming up there - the URA is encouraging the staging of major events and celebrations at the site, so people have a reason to go there.

For starters, there will be the annual F1 Powerboat World Championship Singapore Grand Prix in September, which is expected to draw thousands of spectators and be televised internationally.

A floating platform larger than a football field is being considered as a stage at one side of the bay, which will be sealed off by 2007 to become a freshwater reservoir.

The structure will be used for performances and mass displays, as well as recreational and water sports activities. The plan is to anchor the platform as close as possible to the shoreline between the Esplanade and Benjamin Sheares Bridge.

The Defence Science and Technology Agency, which usually buys items like fighter jets and navy frigates, has been appointed to conduct a feasibility study on the floating stage.

July 28, 2005
Marina Bay brand more than just a name

I REFER to the letter by Mr Michael Chua Kheng Hwee, 'Name search a waste of money' (ST, July 26).

Marina Bay is a new area; it is the future downtown of Singapore. It will provide Singapore with the opportunity for further urban transformation and attract new investments, visitors and talent, besides becoming a new destination for the local community.

In the face of increasing competition among cities, place branding can help to differentiate Singapore from competitors. A strong, distinctive positioning of Marina Bay can lead to a powerful and distinctive competitive advantage for Singapore. Branding goes beyond a name, logo and tagline. It is about identifying a vision and a set of value propositions we want people to associate a place with.

A key part of the Marina Bay branding exercise involved extensive research and consultation with various key stakeholders - developers, retailers, restaurant owners, entertainment companies and tourism interests, both locally and internationally.

Our stakeholders validated the Marina Bay brand. The brand will drive the planning and design, and activities and events to be held at the bay. It is also a common platform for the various stakeholders to join hands in promoting and marketing the area.

Marina Bay is attracting interest internationally. Investors have signalled their confidence in Marina Bay, as can be seen in the significant tender interest in the Business and Financial Centre, a multi-billion-dollar project.

Our future downtown at Marina Bay is an exciting and important project. The amount we invested in branding Marina Bay will reap long-term economic benefits for Singapore.

Michael Koh
Director
Urban Planning & Design
Urban Redevelopment Authority

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

July 30, 2005
'Marina Bay' is too generic to be effective

I REFER to the letter, 'Marina Bay brand more than just a name' (ST, July 28), from Mr Michael Koh, Director of Urban Planning & Design at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

He stressed that 'place branding can help differentiate Singapore from other competitors'. He added that a strong positioning can lead to a powerful and distinctive competitive advantage for Singapore.

I agree with Mr Koh on the importance of a distinctive brand name. However, I have my reservations about using a generic name as a brand name.

May I ask Mr Koh and his team of 'brand experts' how the generic name 'Marina Bay' can be distinctive when there are easily hundreds of marina bays around the world?

There are 'Marina Bay' on the Boston Harbour, in San Francisco, in Gibraltar, in St Petersburg Florida, in Richmond California, and many more.

There are also countless 'Marina Bay' hotels, resorts and parks in the United States, France, Venezuela, New Zealand and Dominican Republic, just to name a few.

A search on Google or Yahoo will easily uncover hundreds of marina bays.

The above examples show that a generic name like 'marina bay' is the worst form of brand name, just like Chinatown. The term 'Marina Bay' would have easily failed the initial brand-name selection test because it is simply too generic and too common to be an effective global brand name.

Any marketing person knows that spending money promoting a generic name is throwing money down the drain.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has been actively promoting the 'Uniquely Singapore' tagline. Thus, a good brand name will have to fit into this brand equity.

Again, 'Marina Bay' fails in this regard, because the name is too generic to be unique. URA's efforts have to be in line with the STB's.

Mr Koh also mentioned that 'the amount we invested in branding Marina Bay will reap long-term economic benefits for Singapore'.

Unfortunately, while we may spend millions of dollars promoting the brand name 'Marina Bay' in the next few years, people will still be asking, 'Marina Bay? Where?', 'Which Marina Bay?'.

'Marina Bay' to people in California, Florida, Texas, France, Venezuela, Gibraltar, etc, will still be their local marina bays. The sense of identity for such a generic name has long been established in their mind. We would be lucky if people in South-east Asia associate 'Marina Bay' with Singapore.

URA should seriously consider names that are uniquely Singapore - like 'Merlion Bay' or 'Raffles Bay' or some other such name. Like Changi Airport and Orchard Road, the name chosen should be the only one of its kind in the world. These uniquely Singapore names will gel with our brand equity.

A search of these names on any search engine in the world would immediately relate to Singapore. Therein lies the effectiveness of a properly chosen name.

Tony Tan Kok Tee

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

I personally feel that it was a bit exorbitant how much was spent searching for a brand name.

I feel ok with Marina Bay as a name, but that letter above raises a few interesting points..Raffles Bay sounds kinda cool :D

But to create a new name with no previous historical basis sounds lame.

If the locals use it, its the best name isnt? I like Marina.

Collyer Quays. Tho the name is a tongue twister for the singlish

Boat Quay pronounced as 'bookie'.... :lol:

I personally feel that it was a bit exorbitant how much was spent searching for a brand name.


It wasn't really a search of a brand name. It was an expensive exercise to confirm that what they have now is ok. Of course with 400k thrown in, it made the name so much more convincing now.

Aug 9, 2005
Marina Bay brand is URA's key weapon
Aim of new concept - place branding - is to help sell major developments

By Daryl Loo

WHAT'S in a brand?

More than just a $400,000 naming exercise, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which last month unveiled a brand name it hopes will be a key weapon in selling major developments on Marina Bay.

The name turned out to be a familiar one - Marina Bay - and the idea of spending such a sum to wind up with the same name drew flak from readers of The Straits Times, who wrote in to call the exercise a 'waste of money'.

One reader criticised the name itself, which he felt was too generic to be effective as 'there are easily hundreds of marina bays around the world'.

But the URA has come out strongly in defence of the money spent - and on its choice of Marina Bay.

There may be many 'marina bays' around the world, but the name is unique in Singapore and Singaporeans are familiar with it because it has been in use for 30 years, said URA.

Its executive planner, Ms Shirlene Sim, also said: 'I think people have the misconception that the Marina Bay brand is just about a name.

'We're trying to create something unique that people can associate their experiences with, to help Singapore differentiate itself from other cities, so it can compete better for investors.'

The URA paid United States-based brand consultancy Interbrand $400,000 for the branding exercise, which started in September last year.

When most of the new projects on Marina Bay are ready in about five years, the development will feature offices, condominiums, retail and food outlets, as well as a casino, ringing the waterfront.

To reflect this 'work, live, and play' concept, said Ms Sim, URA has come up with the tagline 'Explore. Exchange. Entertain.' and a logo to depict these colourful activities around a blue circle, which represents the bay in the centre.

It is all part of a relatively new concept known as place branding, that is, developing a single brand that applies to a place rather than a product.

It has been pioneered in places such as London, which adopted the tagline 'London Unlimited' in 2001, and Sydney's Darling Harbour in 2003.

With the name picked, URA's head of urban design, Mr Cheng Hsing Yao, said it will now take the new brand to property trade shows, including the Cityscape conference in Dubai next month, to sell Marina Bay to global investors.

'A unified brand makes it much easier to market Marina Bay as we can now produce brochures, videos and images that are consistent in concept,' said Mr Cheng.

'And if the branding exercise enhances our competitive edge by one notch, and we gain one more investor who can potentially bring in millions of dollars, this exercise would have already paid for itself.'

Hongkong Land's (HK Land) head of commercial property for South Asia, Mr Robert Garman, agreed with the view that a consistent brand for Marina Bay made it easier to draw tenants who would be attracted to an entire district rather than just a building.

HK Land is involved in two major Marina Bay projects - the One Raffles Quay office complex and a new business and financial centre (BFC) - with partners Keppel Land and Cheung Kong Holdings.

Branding has worked well for the developer's Central project in Hong Kong, he said.

This comprises five million sq ft of office and retail space spread over a number of buildings in the city's central business district, and includes The Landmark and The Hong Kong Club Building.

Mr Garman noted that marketing these properties as a whole under the 'Central' brand helped raise occupancy rates, now well over 90 per cent.

He added: 'We're now thinking of incorporating the Marina Bay brand into not just the BFC, but also One Raffles Quay.

'Perhaps we will market it as 'One Raffles Quay @ Marina Bay'.'

One Raffles Quay will be ready next year, while the BFC is slated to be completed in 2009.

Dr Prem Shamdasani, an associate professor of marketing at the National University of Singapore, said it will take a while for the public to identify with the Marina Bay brand because it is a young area. In addition, it will take 10 to 15 years before it is fully developed.

But a successful name does not need to have an historical meaning, such as 'Merlion' and 'Raffles', to resonate, he noted.

'After all, the name 'Marine Parade' was made up by the Government, and now everybody wants to live there,' Prof Shamdasani said.

darylloo@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Yep, I agree with most people, its a simply a waste of money. Why spent such money when you come up with such a common name? Might as well give it to charity! URA too rich maybe ! Such a dumb thing to do, wonder why they have such a nerve to tell the public they spend $400,000.00 on this name ? :bash:

Hmm.. maybe they afraid that it might end up like yet another NKF saga if the money spent goes undisclosed... Transparency in funding is very very important :D

$400000 for 9 characters (Marina Bay), 1 character = $44444.44444444444444
Well done for this World Class most expensive common name.

hope they get the fengshui right! :lol:

Give 4 cents to a 4 years old boy also able to come up with this name.
Just in Time, $400000 gift for our Happy 40th birthday.

Quite stupid, is like paying $400000 to ask someone to tell you what your name is :laugh:

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://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-08-21/front_pm_0822.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.'

There has hardly been any mention of the "Marina East" reclaimed land, which is the other side of the Bay Area stretching from the Nicoll Highway area into the area near Changi! I have heard that the Singapore government have plans to turn it into a "China Business City" where we would welcome Chinese-investment into a high-tech and slick business area consisting of residential buildings, offices, and recreational facilities, sort of like the recently-developed Pu Dong district of Shanghai.

I was bowled over by the sheer bulk of reclaimed land that I saw when I was driving on the ECP from the City towards Fort Rd exit - that section of the ECP is sufficiently elevated for you to get a good view of the Marina East reclaimed plot. I was amazed by how far it stretched "the East Coast" into the sea, making what is presently the East Coast estates look like the heartlands.

I heard something about this China Business City. I thought it would be housed in Suntec as I think I saw some posters over there, but I could be wrong.

Anyway a huge chunk of Marina East is to be developed into golf course, with the part fronting the Marina Channel to become a park apparently.

Yeah..it sure is huge :cool:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/103319b.jpg

continuous with East Coast

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103319a.jpg

wow!!!

Now you can use google earth to take nice satellite pics of the place.

Wow!!! aerial pics! (Psst... nicer than hkskyline's. Hehe... just joking only... hkskyline, dun get upset. :) )

Would be nice if more details can be seen. :eek:

I thought there were plans to build a golf course and the Singapore Flyer on Marina East? :?

LOL

more aerial & satellite pics in this thread
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=188918

I know I saw at URA about the golf course...I wonder whats up with the Singapore Flyer though :dunno:

July 30, 2005
'Marina Bay' is too generic to be effective

URA should seriously consider names that are uniquely Singapore - like 'Merlion Bay' or 'Raffles Bay' or some other such name. Like Changi Airport and Orchard Road, the name chosen should be the only one of its kind in the world. These uniquely Singapore names will gel with our brand equity.
Tony Tan Kok Tee

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.


OMG. NO. PLEASE GOD NO.

The Merlion is a symbol of everything that is wrong with singapore! delusional kitsch!

26 August 2005

Roving exhibition on "Vibrant Global City" vision travels to heartlands
By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia

Heartlanders can now share Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's vision to remake Singapore into a vibrant global city.

A roving exhibition is making its rounds in the HDB estates from now to 26 September.

PM Lee's vision for Singapore has gotten many excited.

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

Alan Chew, a visitor to the exhibition at the HDB Hub, said: "The garden especially, near the Marina, and the integrated resort."

Michael Koey, another visitor, said: "I was quite impressed, especially....the plans to turn (Singapore) into a beautiful city and more greeneries and gardens."

Many were also excited about plans to rejuvenate the heartlands.

Steven Tan, a 58-year-old Ang Mo Kio resident, said: "I think it's fantastic and it's good to rejuvenate some of the old estates, to give a new life to them and it's interesting. It's important to recognise the heartlands, apart from rebuilding the city....it will create a bustling situation for the younger generation to look forward to and want to stay in Singapore."

In the month ahead, the roving exhibition will travel to 10 HDB towns, to encourage heartlanders and Singaporeans from all walks of life to get an up-close look and take ownership of the vision to turn Singapore from a little red dot to a global city.

But, Singaporeans will not have to wait years for the vision to materialise.

By November, the Central Business District will be the first to be rejuvenated into a creative hub that stays abuzz even after 5pm.

Developers are busy renovating the 77-year-old building which was once the Traffic Police Headquarters.

This will be transformed into a creative hub in the heart of town.

To be launched on 18 November, the hub will be called "red dot Traffic".

The hub will be anchored by red dot Design Award, an internationally-coveted design award company.

The company, which has made Singapore its Asian base outside Germany, hopes to attract top designers like BMW Group's DesignworksUSA which is opening a design studio here.

Inside the "red dot Traffic", a "red dot museum" will showcase past winners like Apple Computer's iPod and Nokia mobile phones.

And, three sprawling levels and 17,000 square feet of al fresco dining space will keep creative minds and businesses abuzz all through the night.

Ken Koo, president of red dot Design Award, said: "Over here, 'red dot Traffic' is a design community, a whole eco-system made up of, maybe, 30 creative companies from advertising companies, product design to communication design.

"I think it's very apt for creative companies to be located right here within the CBD, to be among the businesses.

"We don't want to isolate creative minds away from businesses because businesses need to support the creative industry.

"Together, I think we can form an eco-system by being here and hence rejuvenating the whole area.

"In the CBD area, life ends at 5, but we start at 5!"

All this, as part of the plan to make Singapore a vibrant city that never sleeps! - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Exhibition at HDB Hub? Any info about it? The rendering of BFC looks organic! Final design?

About the Traffic Police Headquarters, they have taken down the windows, and knock down some walls in the interior. Looks like only the exterior facade is preserved. I doubt there will be much people after 5pm for 3 levels of al fresco dining place cos it's very quiet and dark along Maxwell Rd after 7.30pm. Hope they would have something special to attract people to that area. It'll be at least a few years later before the Icon is ready and a few other land parcels for private residential condos in that area are sold and built.

Found the info on the exhibition venues and dates.

Refer to URA website http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/pr05-34.html

oh so its the al fresco areas that will have 17000 sq ft. that sounds more logical. i remember reading an article that said the museum would occupy that amount of space.... which is ridiculous.

The rendering of BFC looks organic! Final design?

About the Traffic Police Headquarters, they have taken down the windows, and knock down some walls in the interior. Looks like only the exterior facade is preserved. I doubt there will be much people after 5pm for 3 levels of al fresco dining place cos it's very quiet and dark along Maxwell Rd after 7.30pm. Hope they would have something special to attract people to that area. It'll be at least a few years later before the Icon is ready and a few other land parcels for private residential condos in that area are sold and built.

I think the rendering of the BFC is a preliminary concept rendition by architecture firm KPF (as reported in another article). It looks promising, seems like its trying to establish a relationship with the Sail and its location.

wow...the plans for the Traffic HQ sound exciting, it will provide more dining options besides the Maxwell Food Centre and hopefully enliven that part of the CBD :happy: