High Street area to get makeover

While traders at High Street Centre and 2 other buildings welcome facelift, they doubt if new look will have much impact on their business

By Tan Hui Yee

HIGH Street Centre is getting a $9.65 million makeover and its ageing white mosaic facade will be replaced with glass and aluminium when the upgrading work is completed in 2005.

At least two other privately owned buildings in the High Street area - Satnam House and High Street Plaza - are also planning to refurbish their premises. All three buildings date back to the 1960s.
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Businesses along High Street hoped the facelifts would make the area, well known for its array of textile and electronics shops, more vibrant.

However, they did not think the new look would have much of an impact on their business. This is because most of the 700 merchants operating there are either wholesalers or importers and exporters of goods, and therefore do not rely on sales from walk-in customers.

Besides, said Mr Vinod Danani, director of video and audio equipment firm Kontakt International: 'Customers who come here know what they want. They know they can get good rates for electronics.' He felt they were unlikely to be deterred by the worn look of some of the buildings.

Mr Danani's shop is located at Wisma Sugnomal, which is only seven years old and will not be refurbished. The management of Amaraj House next door, meanwhile, is keeping mum about its plans.

The five privately owned buildings along High Street were dogged by controversy in 2001, when talk that the Government was going to acquire them caused the value of the properties to drop. When the Urban Redevelopment Authority confirmed last year that they would not be acquired, it also asked the owners to spruce up the buildings.

Businesses like Jesal Brothers Tours & Travel are looking forward to the upgrade. Some customers have a hard time finding its office in High Street Plaza because of inadequate signage.

Said director Rekha Kaur: 'The most well-known landmark is Funan Centre, two buildings away. Some customers get stuck there and don't know how to get to High Street Plaza. The upgrading would make it easier for them to find us.'

Ms Wahida Saheer, 33, manager of a perfume shop at High Street Centre, suggested more could be done to pull in customers. The building's management could try to attract food outlets and arcade operators to take up space, she said.

Law firms might even be attracted to set up shop in the area after the upgrading, said Mr Moti Bhojwani, 47, director of electronics firm Shankar's Emporium, which has an outlet at Satnam House.

He said: 'The upgrading will bring a freshness to the place.'

High Street Centre is 116m (381ft) tall.

Old mosiac facade
http://www.imagenode.com/files/transfer/5/2003/02/181274.jpg

With new facade
http://www.geocities.com/rr_rb_211/highstreet.jpg.txt

Anyone know where I can find the coloured rendering? It's fustrating to not be able to see the actualy colours of the cladding used when the design looks so good.

THANK GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didnt read the text, just seeing the before and after is good enough. I hated that thing to the core! Totally ruins the view in that direction:rant:

I am so glad that someone has decided to do something about it.

ok, now I shall read the post.;)

That has to be the best thing I've heard so far!!!
I've always disliked that building, and I used to call it Riverwalk's ugly twin, since they are very near each other and almost the same height.

Very happy that the brown thing that pops out will be gone. But... I don't know why, but I'll miss it, that was one of the very first skyscrapers I saw in my life, since to go to my mums office, I'll have to go by that road.

I'm so used to the uglyness that I don't know what to feel, happy or sad!

Since we are about to see the "demise" of one of our most visible ugly towers, here is a photo gribute to its reign during its era of disgust. :D

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980000770-7736-3282-3482/img0034.jpg

in the 1980s:
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980006048-8073-3222-4052/img0055.jpg

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980006039-8073-3222-4043/img0073.jpg

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980002919-8262-3202-1096/img0110.jpg

1994:
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980007384-8105-3181-0496/img0001.jpg

WHAT A FACELIFT!

It's going to look like a totally different skyscraper!

More importantly, they're getting rid of that awful top which looks like a huge box shaped hat and giving it a more respectable and eye catching top that will give the skyscraper a grand finale to the rest of the show.

The base is a HUGE improvement too.

This must be one of the best renovations of a skyscraper I've seen.

That's wonderful news!!!! :banana::banana::banana: Things like the High Street Center building give skyscrapers a bad name! :rant:

The new renovated version needs a spire!

Non spire version:

http://www.geocities.com/rr_rb_211/highstreet.jpg

Spire version I made:

http://home.1asphost.com/savethewtc/spire.jpg

Some people would be very happy it has a spire;)

Seriously, great job Jack, it looks good the way you made it but I think there already is a small spire on it. The way the building looks, I believe the top will be lighted at night.:cool:

Originally posted by Whose Homepage

That's wonderful news!!!! :banana::banana::banana: Things like the High Street Center building give skyscrapers a bad name! :rant:

Ditto :yes: and overdue! Next to follow should be Peninsula Plaza (that neon lighting at the top at night is just so tacky), Peninsula Shopping Centre, Excelsior Hotel and that horrendous, seemingly-windowless Singtel building (or is it just a rectangular block?) at Hill St.

NOOOO! I LOVE PENINSULA PLAZA!
It shines so brightly at night with that golden glow.

Peninsula Plaza has such a beautiful Art Nouveau Facade, which makes it so special from other buildings, it has been standing as the tallest in the area since forever, and it's delicate lines make it almost Art Deco.

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980002919-8262-3202-1096/img0110.jpg

But that neon light has to go.:D

Originally posted by glenj

Ditto :yes: and overdue! Next to follow should be Peninsula Plaza (that neon lighting at the top at night is just so tacky), Peninsula Shopping Centre, Excelsior Hotel and that horrendous, seemingly-windowless Singtel building (or is it just a rectangular block?) at Hill St. Eh? I dunt think the rest you mentioned are going to get a facelift anytime soon, but while I can ignore the neon sign on Peninsular, I never really liked the building as much as Cliff does! The Singtel building....I think its too short to make a negative impact? :D

WOW, what a huge makeover....From a boring (and ugly white box) to an impressive glass building... Great stuff!!

I noticed that Singapore's older buildings have undergone more facelifts than in other cities in Asia. I havent heard of any building in Jakarta nor Metro Manila that went through a massive facelift. Didnt the shorter UOB building go through a facelift to look identical to its taller brother?

I agree, i stayed in Peninsula and it does need a facelift. It also needs some interior redesigning.

Originally posted by huaiwei

Eh? I dunt think the rest you mentioned are going to get a facelift anytime soon, but while I can ignore the neon sign on Peninsular, I never really liked the building as much as Cliff does! The Singtel building....I think its too short to make a negative impact? :D

They aren't getting a facelift.. at least for now .. but this is S'pore, it's just a matter of time before they play catch-up to keep up with the neighbouring buildings. Ok ok let's keep Peninsula Plaza as it is then.. but the neon lights have to go :yes: :D

Speaking of facelifts, there were plans afoot recently to overhaul Marina Sq shopping mall. I wonder when it'll start.

Seems like I'm alone in liking the colourful neon lighting on top of Peninsula. I've always liked how it makes the view from the Padang that bit more colourful, especially with the vertical beams reflecting the light.

The base of the Peninsula is quite interesting too, similar to the late WTC. The only thing that needs upgrading is the interior! Its so 70s!

Originally posted by glenj

They aren't getting a facelift.. at least for now .. but this is S'pore, it's just a matter of time before they play catch-up to keep up with the neighbouring buildings. Ok ok let's keep Peninsula Plaza as it is then.. but the neon lights have to go :yes: :D

Speaking of facelifts, there were plans afoot recently to overhaul Marina Sq shopping mall. I wonder when it'll start. Well...if you ask me, the only way Peninsular can regain some status for itself it to remove that sign and get extended to twice its existing height! :D

Marina Sq mall? What might have heard is the interior upgrading. Actually they seem to have gone through a round of upgrading a few years or so ago?

eh... actually i like that boxy black and white singtel building... there's a similar telstra building here in perth ... i just found it coincidental how two telecom buildings can be so similar...

Originally posted by heirloom

eh... actually i like that boxy black and white singtel building... there's a similar telstra building here in perth ... i just found it coincidental how two telecom buildings can be so similar... I dont know if you are talking about the same building, but the one glenj was talking about is a short stubby thingy which is almost completely black. I do not have a photo of it yet thou, so I cant illustrate it.

But really, what's up with that cowboy hat they gave High Street Centre? :D

Well, that cowboy hat is old, and it's finally gonna goooo!!!!!!! :banana::banana::banana:

Come to think of it, its like drapping a huge blue scarf over the hat and letting it hang down on all sides! :D

The 'SingTel Building' is called the Telephone House Complex ,originally built in 1907 as a 4-storey Islamic Styled lowrise.

In the late 1970s ,the entire building was reconstructed ,but the Islamic base remains.

Originally posted by redstone

The 'SingTel Building' is called the Telephone House Complex ,originally built in 1907 as a 4-storey Islamic Styled lowrise.

In the late 1970s ,the entire building was reconstructed ,but the Islamic base remains. Now that is something I have never heard of before. Does the fact that it stands beside the Masjid Burhani has anything to with its Islamic architecture?

Recladding had started on the 35+ years old High Street Centre.

Four huge platforms had been erected on the sides of the tower from which they will tear down the grey façade.I hope I can post monthly ,if not bi-monthly shots of the tower.Stay tuned.

Anyone with the latest info or pics can post them here!:)

Ah! we would all love to see your photos!! ;)

BTW, there is another thread about this development here! Hahaha! Would u mind if we merge the threads, or you like it the way it is? ;) (I think we will keep your title, and move those posts over or something)

31 storey High Street Centre to be given facelift! (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=70199)

The thread makes me think that it is 'News' rather than a constantly updated one.Hmm...merge?OK with me!:D

Great....will ask the mods about this if they have time. That thread will be a good introduction to your updates! ;)

You pass by the site often?

Er? Looks like this thread was merged already. Thanks Rafflescity! ;) Redstone, hope to see your updates here too! :)

No problem.

wow..theyre fast arent they? Soon after news report come out they start..well the sooner the better cos I am sick of that thing!:rant:

They haven't actually started work yet.Four huge platforms the length of the side of the tower and 8 jacking towers for the platforms are up.There ,workers would use pneumatic hammers to remove the old cladding.They do that as I've seen in the recladding of the Allson Hotel.By the way ,recladding for the foward wing of the Allson Hotel are almost finished!

Arrg! I dun give a damn about the reclad! I WANT THE BUILDING TO GO!!!

gosh, URA had big grand plans for that area, including the construction of a light rail that runs alongside the river (linking all the govt admin buildings) and the creation of a "administration city" How cool is (was) that?

Those ugly buildings shouldn't even have a place there. it does not match up to the prestige of its neighbours: The New Parliament House, Old Parliament House Arts Center, Empress Place Museum, Treasury of Singapore, The New Supreme Court, Supreme Court, City Hall, Ministry of Arts, Central Fire Station, Fort Canning, Victoria Memorial Hall, Victoria Concert Hall & Theatre.

those hill st merchants should have just accepted the govt's compensation and retired in peace. wats the point of fighting? i dun see their old-economy businesses going anywhere. good luck dudes, they need all the luck they can get.

Pardon me harsh stand...but i REALLY DO HATE hill st ctr.

Originally posted by rEXxx

gosh, URA had big grand plans for that area, including the construction of a light rail that runs alongside the river (linking all the govt admin buildings) and the creation of a "administration city" How cool is (was) that?


Hope I dont agitate you, but would that be practical? :D
Me thinks the distance that traverses would be quite small. I do agree that the building itself is an anomaly in an otherwise seamless pedestrian walkway between Clarke Quay and Boat Quay.

At least I am hoping the reclad will make the building more graceful:cheers:

Haha....I did hear about the plans by the URA to completely re-do the place. But remember that the removal of those buildings might mean the building of even more short and insignificant ones. ;)

And frankly....I dunt see why we need a monorail along the river when they are still trying to encourage river taxies?? :D

Latest update.

I saw the High Street Centre from the ECP today ,it seems works hadn't yet commenced.


But....

There's a construction going on besides the Benjamin Shears Bridge at Marina Bay ,perhaps it is the Singapore Flyer?:D

Originally posted by redstone

Latest update.

I saw the High Street Centre from the ECP today ,it seems works hadn't yet commenced.


But....

There's a construction going on besides the Benjamin Shears Bridge at Marina Bay ,perhaps it is the Singapore Flyer?:D If work has not commmenced, good. Because it means we can photograph it to our hearts content before it finally gets stripped and reclothed. Then we can have a life photo essay of wat happens to it in our lifetime.

As for that construction you saw....I have reason to believe you are actually looking at the holes they are digging for the Circle Line! :D I passed that site on many occasions to take photos. Raffi can confirm this with me!

But it depends. Did you see it on the side facing The Ritz Charlton, or on the other side where it was supposed to be empty land?

Yup..we got to peek at the station under construction. Could count all the underground levels:angel1:

I sure hope they have started construction on the wheel! :dooby:

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/300hsc.jpg

Here's how it looks like as at 16 November 2003.

Everybody wave goodbye to that facade. :wave: :D

i was there about half a week ago, construction has indeed started, u can see gondolas attached to all 4 sides of the towers. and some stripping of the old facade has started towards the top half of the tower.

Originally posted by rEXxx

i was there about half a week ago, construction has indeed started, u can see gondolas attached to all 4 sides of the towers. and some stripping of the old facade has started towards the top half of the tower. What! Oh shit......is anyone going to go track this building down?

I live rather far from High Street ,very inconvenient for me to go there.Perhaps I'll track it photographically every one or two months.Anyone live near the South or work near the city?

Originally posted by redstone

I live rather far from High Street ,very inconvenient for me to go there.Perhaps I'll track it photographically every one or two months.Anyone live near the South or work near the city? I have a feeling the construction will proceed much faster then that, especially with the tearing down part. The earlist I can go there is this Fri. And for the next two weeks, I wont be able to go down there before 6pm at all. Is there anyone else who can help us?

Originally posted by huaiwei
But it depends. Did you see it on the side facing The Ritz Charlton, or on the other side where it was supposed to be empty land?

What you mean?

Originally posted by redstone

What you mean? As in...the construction site you saw was on which side of the Benjamin Sheares Bridge?

When you are heading in the Changi direction ,it is on your left.

Originally posted by redstone

When you are heading in the Changi direction ,it is on your left. Oh, in that case, its the MRT line. :D the flyer is supposed to be on the empty space on the other side of the bridge. ;)

went past that dreadful building again today...

progress is rather swift, now that the gondolas are up on all 4 sides and the stripping of the facade has started, they've also started fencing up the ground floor area.

Who lives at riverwalk? Just look out your window.:D

I went there yesterday, and it still looks the same as redstone's pic.

If possible ,I'll check it out today.

Originally posted by Cliff

I went there yesterday, and it still looks the same as redstone's pic. Er..was there a picture?? :?

2nd page

Originally posted by Cliff

2nd page That one?? It dosent look like its undergoing construction at all! :D

I'll be visiting the Mita Building on Sunday ,checking out the art exhibition at the atrium.Would give you guys an update.

Latest update as at 14/12/03.

Work hasn't even started yet...

Wonder why.

Originally posted by redstone

Latest update as at 14/12/03.

Work hasn't even started yet...

Wonder why. Er? Then how come we were syaing there were cranes and all that up at the site?

Yes ,the platforms are up ,but the stripping of the old façade hasn't started yet.

Originally posted by redstone

Yes ,the platforms are up ,but the stripping of the old façade hasn't started yet. Oh...icic.....then its a good time to quickly take a photo of it just before it starts work. ;)

huaiwei: :runaway:

I do hope you'll manage to snap a picture of the place before the work starts, huaiwei! :)

Originally posted by Whose Homepage

huaiwei: :runaway:

I do hope you'll manage to snap a picture of the place before the work starts, huaiwei! :) Since my name is mentioned twice, I recon my assistance is greatly needed? :D

Well, I just finished a 2-week course, and from now, I should have more free time to go around snapping photos. Too bad about the relatively bad weather thou. If the skies are good, you guys will see my photos again, and especially of this one. ;)

Please don't over-exert yourself in your efforts to cover every last building in Singapore that somehow pops up in these pages, though, Huaiwei! :)

I'd be grateful for a "before" shot of High Street Centre prior to the makeover starting. Indeed it might prove very interesting once we can compare it to the "after" state. :cool:

Yet life doesn't depend on such luxuries! ;) So please do take care of yourself and your own needs and inclinations as well, OK? :angel1:

Reclad works for the High Street Plaza has begun!

I saw it on Sunday.

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980007344-8262-3202-1109/img0026.jpg
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980007384-8105-3181-0496/img0001.jpg
It is the brown building on the left of the first picture.

There is scaffolding 3/4 the way up the building.No stripping of the old façade has been done.

Thank you, redstone! :) Good of you to update this. :okay: It'll be interesting to see what they'll come up with ... :cool:

Originally posted by redstone

Reclad works for the High Street Plaza has begun!

I saw it on Sunday.

http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980007344-8262-3202-1109/img0026.jpg

It is the brown building on the left of the first picture.



Strange, that picture looks old, very old.:D

I think is was taken in the 1980s.Look at the High Street Police Station.

Then why is HSC red?:?

Originally posted by Cliff

Then why is HSC red?:? Eh..I have serious doubts that it was HSC...as far as I knew, HSC never had a facade like that.

Strange, cos no other building has that facade too.:D

Maybe its high street plaza? I am not too sure about the facading for the neighbouring buildings, but the angle of the shot suggests HSC is hidden just behind this one.

Latest update as at 1/1/04:

I saw the HSC from the Suntec observation deck ,there is no progress whatsoever.Wonder why it's so slow.

I just saw it today too. No progress either. ;)

Here it is, beginning the new year with its original dignity. I saw the rendition on the signboard at the base.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/103highstctr.jpg

I dont think u got close enough to snap a photo of the rendering did you, raff? Its in full colour rite?

Okie dokie ,I was taking photos of the MacDonald House on the 2nd of February 2004.

The High Street Centre was still very much the same at it was since November last year.

Update as at 22nd Feb 2004.

No action ,no change since Nov 2003.

The longer they delay the rebuilding works, the more chances I have to take photos of it! :D

Havent started yet? So irritating!:rant:

btw thanks for the update redstone.

Latest update as at 29 Feb 04:

Nothing has happened.Wonder what's taking them so long?!

High Street Centre on 25/02/2004

http://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2004/02/246700.jpg
View from Hill Street

oh well..it looks all set to go, so the longer we wait, the greater the probability that it will start.

Maybe they also gonna work on the base...so we should check on that too.:cheers:

I walked past the place on 28 March and while they havent started on the tower, I see that they have erected netting on one side of the podium and the shorter block next to it. Heres a pic of the project rendition.

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/hstc.jpg

amazingly beautiful! one could never imagine this disgusting building could turn into something so beautiful... but i wonder how different the real thing would look like though... hope it's got the same darkly colourful cladding!

ugly toad turned into a prince/princess :D

i think it's more like.. badly dressed auntie (your typical wet market ah-soh) turned into glamour queen :)

I just can't wait!!!

i think it's more like.. badly dressed auntie (your typical wet market ah-soh) turned into glamour queen :)

LOL jokes aside I think they really need to revamp it. It is the only building in sg I can think of that is so ugly it puts you off going inside. And right in front of the parliament and boat quay somemore where tourists walk by.

not the only one; the euro asia building too. but thankfully few of us would have any reason to go in there.

no this is much much worse than euro-asia. That one still has a decent base. With High St Ctr, you cant even find the entrance! :rant:

Erm....it looks like a green facade??

yah..and in Tropical's rendition it appeared brownish. Maybe its a mix of both? more interesting.

Hm...I would have preferred a bluish facade, although I admit there is too much blue already. :D

i hope it's black and changes colour!

LOL and at night it can 'disappear'. Sounds like the ideal building for crime syndicates.

LOL and at night it can 'disappear'. Sounds like the ideal building for crime syndicates.
Oh...no that not good. :D

haha i would have thought the purpose of changing colours would be to make it stand out at night!

What for make it stand out so much? Its already quite alone over there...I think its actually a natural landmark location?

ummm stand out at night

Stand out at night? What does it have to offer at night?

umm... lights?

Lights? Can we eat lights?

Oh gosh......I am wierd tonight........:D

yarlor! sushi ramen hawker food.... bjork does have a song about 'swallowing warm glowing lights' though...

i just want it to have pretty lights to further enhance sg skyline lar...

But that area is usually not in photographs leh....kinda wasteful :D

never mind lar... parkview square also mar.. but so gorgoeus... it can be photographed by itself like parkview square lor

after all photographers flock to the subject, the subject doesnt usually pander to photographers. unless they are despo like... paris hilton

But how come not many photographers flock to Parkview? Kinda dissapointing..

no meh? i try to snap pics everytime i pass by...

Try finding pictures of that building loh....not many it seems?

yah an online search for parkview proved disappointing. Time to whip out the camera again....:sky:

Good news. I was walking at the Padang today and saw that they have started removing the panels of the hat of High Street Centre :banana:

Good news. I was walking at the Padang today and saw that they have started removing the panels of the hat of High Street Centre :banana:
Oh man...any precious pictures?? Why must they do the work when I am having exams?!?!! :bash:

oops..took a break from carrying the camera around lol. haha..maybe this period not raining so much so thats why work momentum has increased? :D

Actually ,two sides of the hat are grey while the other two are mustard colour.Could you be mistaken?

Definitely not! You can see the hole where the panels of the hat used to be and the remaining skeletal structure. There also seems to be some machinery on that side now.

Any new pics?

All I saw was that the protruding part of the roof is no more...haha

finally!

Can someone take a pic of it these few days?

I tot there are quite alot of photographing opportunities recently? Didnt raffie and heirloom go round that area quite often?

I did...but I havent taken a shot of it since they removed the panelling. The real excitement should start once the glass cladding goes up. Anyway in szehoong/baqthier's thread you can see it.

Er.....I need them for s.com.............damn.....looks like we missed out lots of chances for capturing a historical moment...

you can msg me for some of them, I should still have the originals.

24 April 2004

The hat is gone
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/makeover.jpg

Hahaa! I manged to grap a faraway shot on the same day actually....I was passing by at the Esplanade area.

The High Street Plaza's reclad works had already commenced long ago.

It actually doesn't look bad without the cowboy hat after seeing the picture Raffles posted. The hat changes everything it seems.

It actually doesn't look bad without the cowboy hat after seeing the picture Raffles posted. The hat changes everything it seems.
Maybe we should stop work now? :D

Latest update ,1st May 2004:

The hat is gone ,leaving the white cube up there.The cladding on the top 2 floors are gone.

i look forward to seeing it in july :D

Why?

What's gonna happen?

um to see how it changes lor

I will hold my breath until I hear that glass panels are being added!

I will hold my breath until I hear that glass panels are being added!
Btw, if you did not realised it, this particular post of yours was the 20,000th post in this forum. :D

woo!

:eek2:

I didnt notice it..muahaha..20k?!?!?!

LOL

Yeah...all the action took place while you were happily enjoying your flight! :D

Latest update!!!!!
28/04/2004

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/856a.jpg

glass panels!£!@£!@!!!

Taken from Riverwalk?

Wow.Thanks!:D

glass panels!£!@£!@!!!
Panels? Those at the very top?

Yup!Those greenish-blue ones.:D;)

Yup!Those greenish-blue ones.:D;)
How come they look do dull and dirty? Oh no........:D

Perhaps a protective film?

yar should be...

Perhaps a protective film?
I am not that optimistic. :D

actually the glass panels look fine to me?

Latest update!!!!!
28/04/2004

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/856a.jpg

wow! I am sure it will look so much better once all the glass panels are fitted!

can already imagine! will look generic with just glass panels (already a million times better than now), but with that crown, it'll be gorgeous!

The crown is the only good thing I hope for though, I feel its location is really awkward in that part of the skyline.

At least the glass will reflect the surroundings rather than block them.

I don't think its glass panels, they don't usually put them up so early, I think its the netting to prevent dust from comming out.:D

Cliff ,where did you take that shot from?

awww :/ maybe there will be glass panels in july :)

I would rather they take their own sweet time and do it properly! :D

yup..dont want glass panels falling out as has happened with the Environment Building a couple of years back.

yup..dont want glass panels falling out as has happened with the Environment Building a couple of years back.
Did that happen?? :eek: This building is much taller....I hope they dont do something crazy....we have had more then enough construction accidents by now!

Cliff ,where did you take that shot from?

I took it from the top of UOB Plaza.;)

I took it from the top of UOB Plaza.;)
You went to the top recently?

Did that happen?? :eek: This building is much taller....I hope they dont do something crazy....we have had more then enough construction accidents by now!

yup..but that was about 10 years back. Speaking of Environment Building its base is now getting a makever.

You went to the top recently?

Yes.:D

Yes.:D
To makan?

Yes.:D

Environment Bldg is taller than the HSC?

Environment Bldg is taller than the HSC?
Why u say that?

The post u made:

"Did that happen?? This building is much taller....I hope they dont do something crazy....we have had more then enough construction accidents by now!"

The post u made:

"Did that happen?? This building is much taller....I hope they dont do something crazy....we have had more then enough construction accidents by now!"
But I wasent comparing the Environment building and HSC what...

environment building is the white building with brown glass at newton arh? if it is i love it!

yup..its located along the junction of Cairnhill and Scotts Rd. Looks pretty brutal with its massive columns.

Brown glass? How come I remember it having blue glass. It is not bad as a building too actually?

brown glass..confirmed not blue

It manages to look pretty unique..kind of like that Commerzbank building in Frankfurt but this one's built in the late 80s.

brown glass..confirmed not blue

It manages to look pretty unique..kind of like that Commerzbank building in Frankfurt but this one's built in the late 80s.
Strange...will it look better if it were blue?

Anyway, I stared at the HSC recently, and the top looks more like safety nets then glass panels?

dark blue will be fine.

Safety nuts huh..then I guess the wait will be longer :cheers:

dark blue will be fine.

Safety nuts huh..then I guess the wait will be longer :cheers:
Safety nets....not nuts! :D Unless you are trying to say something else? :D

you all notice how recent posts have been gravitating towards nuts? :LOL:

you all notice how recent posts have been gravitating towards nuts? :LOL:
Oh gosh....hope you dont get too excited about that! :D

i'm not excited... :sly:

Hey ,since the works had started ,isn't it about time this thread's name was changed to something else?;)

Hey ,since the works had started ,isn't it about time this thread's name was changed to something else?;)
Change to what? It looks ok now?

Something like 'High Street Centre Reclad Thread'.;)

The current name sounds like a 'news'.

Safety nets....not nuts! :D Unless you are trying to say something else? :D

geez..that was a typo! :bash:

Something like 'High Street Centre Reclad Thread'.;)

The current name sounds like a 'news'.
"31 storey High Street Centre makeover" sounds like news?

Yah ,should be something like "High Street Centre Reclad Thread".:)

No difference lah :cool:

Finally....I up posting my photos! :D

Taken 7th May 2004:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/3130/2829High-Street_2.jpg

Aerial view:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/3130/2829High-Street_1.jpg

Thanks for the updates.

That patch of blue still hasnt shifted. I guess they are peeling off the old facade and installing the new.

oh wow... there actually was a façade before?! i thought it was just painted white!

What are you talking about???

huhuh?

"oh wow... there actually was a façade before?! i thought it was just painted white!"

What do you mean?

oh um... i mean i thought it wasn't cladded before... just painted

You mean they plan to put the new facade up piece by piece while they are in the process of removing the old one?

I thought they were gonna strip this cowboy naked, then give him his new look. :D

Hmm....seems more like they are going to do just that..ie strip it naked. The top dosent look like the new facading no matter how I saw it. It just looks like the safety net. I suppose they started blasting away the exterior wall from the top down?

Latest update at 23 May 2004:

Cladding for the top 3 floors had been removed ,and bluish-green cladding had been place over the top floor.Scaffolding had been erected over the 'white cube' at the top.

Latest update at 23 May 2004:

Cladding for the top 3 floors had been removed ,and bluish-green cladding had been place over the top floor.Scaffolding had been erected over the 'white cube' at the top.
ie...the blue-green cladding has been extended across all 4 sides of the building?

Not sure.I saw it from Eu Tong Sen Street.The cladding is up from here.

Not sure.I saw it from Eu Tong Sen Street.The cladding is up from here.
Interesting. So it is still the same top 3 storeys so far?

The last photo update shows 2 floors' cladding removed.Now its three.;)

hmm..they already put the glass cladding or is it just green netting?

Taken on 7/6/04;evening;from bus.......

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN11461.jpg

Taken on 6/6/04;evening;from equinox......

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN10042.jpg

*excited* the conversion really taking form now!!

waaah..theyre really ripping out the old facade now..I cant wait its gonna look so brand new! :banana:

Hey..so that WAS blue glass!! :D

oh yah hor..didnt notice the glass..I think it will have a cool effect and provide nice reflection for its surroundings :yes:

Yeah remember a long time ago we were asking if its glass or not? And it wasent too clear if it was green or blue....I am just glad its blue!! :D

I prefer blue..we already have the green NTUC Centre. Now just got to see what colour the 1 George St will be. But that area can do with more glass..looks more peaceful and it may reflect the Parliament Building well :cucumber:

I just...for some reason...hate seeing green glass on buildings, especially if its reflective and squarish. A big boz like this one with green reflective glass will make me puke. Blue is lovely thou!! :D

even dark green? :cucumber: :D

you like blue for obvious reasons LOL

even dark green? :cucumber: :D

you like blue for obvious reasons LOL
Hmm....maybe Keppel's green is the only one I love..coz it has two tonnes of green I think?

Oh yeah....maybe it explains why I prefer one organisation to another?? :D Hey at least that tall one at Outram is a lovely shade of blue!! :D

Hmm....maybe Keppel's green is the only one I love..coz it has two tonnes of green I think?

Oh yeah....maybe it explains why I prefer one organisation to another?? :D Hey at least that tall one at Outram is a lovely shade of blue!! :D

Haha....I won't be surprised......:D

Anyway, I prefer blue for High Street too....looks cool....... :)

actually if i were to choose i'd choose transparent colourless glass... the building would be like a large crystal... so beautiful...

Blue glass is too commom.Maybank, Republic, Novena Sq...

Green glass makes people sick.
Clear glass would be a good idea, but it's going to be hotter inside, unless they have double-glass.

ntuc building doesnt make me sick... the rendering did though.. but turned out ok...

maybe someone should try umm rainbow glass

ntuc building doesnt make me sick... the rendering did though.. but turned out ok...

maybe someone should try umm rainbow glass

Like the rainbow flats in Hougang?? No thanks...... :bash: :D

nono... let me find an example

Blue glass is too commom.Maybank, Republic, Novena Sq...

Green glass makes people sick.
Clear glass would be a good idea, but it's going to be hotter inside, unless they have double-glass.
Maybank isnt exactly fully blue glass...Republic isnt a plain blue thing either....

Seems like we dont have many purely glassy thing in the CBD?

Ah, yes.Keppel Towers and Police Cantonment Complex.Police is entirely blue.But it is out of the CBD area.But on the outskirts.Just cross the street and its the CBD.:)

Taken on 7/6/04;evening;from bus.......
http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN11461.jpg


I was walking along Bras Basah when I saw that more of the glass is being laid out today(22/6/04)....:D....but didn't bring my cam....so can't take a picture of it....... :bash:

so excited! :banana: I think theyll take 3 months to fully do everything..

most impressive is the base, they are also recladding that.

Now it is even more convienient for me to take pictures of it.I just got a hp with a cam.:D

Wonder when they would start with the spire.
Progress is much faster than I thought.I intially thought that they would strip off the whole building and reclad it, but it turned out that both recladding and stripping were done at the same time!

hrmmm the more i look... the less appealing the glass seems.. i hope it'll turn out alright. but anyhow unappealing glass is way better than before.

Ah, yes.Keppel Towers and Police Cantonment Complex.Police is entirely blue.But it is out of the CBD area.But on the outskirts.Just cross the street and its the CBD.:)
I just said Keppel Towers is green......since when did it become blue??? :D

Anyway I think I should be the most familiar as to its location! :)

High Street Centre constuction(taken on 25/6/04, from Hill street.)

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN14011.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN14051.jpg

Close up
http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN14091.jpg

A few more......enjoy these first......:D

:eek2: SCREAMS!

Its so much better now! Today that shade of light blue is looking very good :yes:

Haha....here's more to scream your lungs out......:D

Not much happening at the base
http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN14141.jpg

The following two taken outside the parliament house:
http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN14211.jpg

Another close up
http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN14191.jpg

i think the building might look like the shorter novena square building

!!!!!!!

I just noticed something...the blue glass curtain seems to do nothing much but cover over the existing facade, such that you seem to have two layers of windows?

is it? i dont see two layers of windows... or can't see.. i thought there were gaping holes in the building in previous pictures?

is it? i dont see two layers of windows... or can't see.. i thought there were gaping holes in the building in previous pictures?
Yeah, but arent those in the higher floors? I dont remember seeing this new segment being jacked out....

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN11461.jpg see?

Oh!! I forgot about that photo!! :eek:

So now that they have covered it up in glass, isnt it kind dangerous for them to destroy the next few levels down when they were so close to it?

maybe tenants pay more for higher levels and better views?

What's with the green thing at the corners?

looks like somethign to attach panels to the building? not sure

I don't quite get what's happening to the building. Are they just installing like what was said earlier, a new glass facade with the old concrete facade still in place in the interior, thus having two windows? Or are they installing the new glass facade as they tear down the old concrete one? If that is the case, don't the occupants on the floors being upgraded have to be evicted then due to all the construction? Major loss of rental income. But looks like that loss income may be recouped a lil bit. The removal of that interior facade looks to create new floor space as the facade is extended outwards. More space = More income.

I think the new offices will have floor to ceiling covered with glass. I guess they chose to do the facelift now as office prices have bottomed out and they wanna do it now before it rises again.

update 27 June 2004

http://img43.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/hs27.jpg

Wow!!! Where you get that photo from? You are back? :eek:

looks like harbourfront

The green thing is now lower.

yup me back:D

whatever it is gonna look like I am just glad that its being changed..its such an eyesore especially when seen from that angle by the riverbank with all the beautiful colonial buildings...

of course of course.. a change is usually for the better, unless we're talking about euro-asia building :)

strangely speaking..I was also happy to see the EuroAsia Building when I got back..and it has a decent plaza at its base :cool:

i thought i saw a pretty decent looking lobby.... not sure though.... pictures?

You mean EuroAsia?

yep...

i saw something yellow... tacky.... but at least not gross like outside...

i wonder what high street centre's new shop mix will be?

A new shopping mall?There aren't many malls in that area.:D

Nearest is Funan?

never been to high street's malls..didnt even wanna step into it..

Haha..the malls in that area then to have specialised trades...Funan is the most famous for comuting stuff...Peninsular for Photography I think? And isnt High Street Centre for textiles or wat? hahaha. :D

Haven't been into its mall before?What it sell?

i think i went into it and it was as dhingy as dhingy can get. dont know what it was selling because i ran out before i lost my senses.

Construction update(30/6/04):

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/City%20Landscapes/DSCN15502.jpg

ahh.. pleasanter and pleasanter.. i see they've stripped off the covering for the top two layers of glass? actually two tone like that quite nice... is that the soho@central construction site on the right?

i think buildings built in this time period wlil be marked by their names.. so many got @ in them... sigh.

Anyway, pretty obvious the green stuff at the corners are gone too. :)

@heirloom: Yes, thats the soho@central site on the right.....not much movements yet....:)

you seem to go construction site spotting every other day... aren't you supposed to teach chinese?!

Emm....thats my "part-time job" for now.....haha...:D Anyway, I took it since I was downtown today. (Actually it's because I haven't start work yet.....:))

good good... someone should pay someone to do this (preferably me)... remember to go take some pictures of spidey...