The grande dame of theatres Capitol Cinema is left empty after its last movie screening in December 1998 while the authorities say it has the potential to be a lifestyle hub.

ST also said that it is fast becoming the Public toliet for foreign workers.


http://talkback.stomp.com.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=769

The grande dame of theatres Capitol Cinema is left empty after its last movie screening in December 1998 while the authorities say it has the potential to be a lifestyle hub.

ST also said that it is fast becoming the Public toliet for foreign workers.


http://talkback.stomp.com.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=769

Hmmm....actually I always feel that the area is a lacklustre compared to the surrounding developements.....perhaps they could consider a joint development or something....while preserving Old capitol Cinema of course....(the likes of peninsula etc)

Hmmm....actually I always feel that the area is a lacklustre compared to the surrounding developements.....perhaps they could consider a joint development or something....while preserving Old capitol Cinema of course....(the likes of peninsula etc)

maybe a dedicated museum for performing arts will be great, that area has got lots of chill out areas already. i am just scared that Singapore might be ''over stretching'' the shopping district with all the upcoming new developments

maybe a dedicated museum for performing arts will be great, that area has got lots of chill out areas already. i am just scared that Singapore might be ''over stretching'' the shopping district with all the upcoming new developments

Any pics of how the theatre room looks ?

Any pics of how the theatre room looks ?

I note that the Capitol Building and cinema are not conserved, YET.

Be patient, I'm sure some good can come out of these old buildings :)

I note that the Capitol Building and cinema are not conserved, YET.

Be patient, I'm sure some good can come out of these old buildings :)

Capitol Downhill

2 Jul 06

The historic Capitol Theatre has been empty since the cinema closed in 1998. The 76-year-old building, reeking of urine andwith its doors rotting, is in a derelict state

ONCE it was Singapore's grande dame of cinemas, a destination for three generations of movie-lovers eager to see the latest Hollywood flicks.

Now, it is starring in its very own Fright Night.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20060701/ST_IMAGES_LIFHMCAPITOLt.jpg

'It' is Capitol Theatre. The colonial-style building, in the middle of the bustling City Hall area, turned 76 in May.

But it is unused, and has been so for eight years. The cinema closed down in 1998, its large one-screen arrangement the victim of the multiplex trend. The last picture show: a Kurt Russell sci-fi action movie called Soldier. About 500 people saw 'The End' come up for the last time in the cinema on Dec 29.

Since then, the crumbling building, which is owned by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), has been fighting its own losing battle against the forces of time.

Plans to get arts groups to move in have come to nought. As to what the future holds, no one can shed any light.

One sure thing though: The derelict building would make a great set for a Stephen King horror movie. At creepy Capitol:


The light has gone from the neon tubing forming the 'Capitol' signage.

The black wooden board used for movie posters is bare and pock- marked.

An outside staircase is boarded up; another reeks of urine and leads to a locked steel gate.

Paint is peeling off railings and the wooden side doors are rotting.
Mechanic Steven Yong, 22, who works at Paintless Dent Removal situated in Capitol Centre's carpark next door, says: 'Only a handful of tourists come every day to take pictures of the place. Some local students drop by with their videocams to film it for their projects.'

Over the past five years, workers from Myanmar have been gathering there at night to play the guitar and get high drinking cough medicine, he adds.

National serviceman Mohamed Nasir, 22, says he has spotted rowdy workers sitting on the pavement on weekends. He parks his motorcycle nearby to wait for his girlfriend to finish shopping.

'I get my girlfriend to wait for me at the main road because it's dark here,' he says.

No takers

WHILE there have been reports as early as a decade ago about turning the 1,686-seat cinema into a theatre for musicals and a potential school building for the nearby Singapore Management University, these plans never came to fruition.

Despite its nostalgic value, a check with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) shows that it is not gazetted as a conservation building.

All that the URA would say is that the area is part of a larger site zoned for commercial use, such as for entertainment, retail, and food and beverage purposes.

'Since July 2000, the STB has been working with suitable investors to adapt the theatre into a modern performing arts venue for world-class productions,' says Mr Oliver Chong, STB's director of cluster development (events and entertainment).

'Unfortunately, the various potential investors that the STB approached had assessed that a performing arts venue on the site is not economically viable at this point in time.'

One group that was interested in the building was the Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT). The theatre group met the STB informally over five years ago to discuss siting the group there.

SRT's artistic director, Mr Gaurav Kripalani, says the costs of restoring infrastructure such as air-conditioning, sound system and seats seemed 'quite prohibitive'.

'It's a gorgeous theatre and I would love to situate SRT there if someone would renovate it and if it fits our performing specifications,' he adds.

The STB began the process of returning the 2,146 sq m building to the Singapore Land Authority as state-owned land earlier this year. But not all is lost for the ageing building, argues Mr Chong.

'The theatre is situated in a strategic location and forms part of a larger site identified for comprehensive urban redevelopment. It has the potential to be developed into a lifestyle hub where people can enjoy world-class entertainment, shop and relax at a variety of food and beverage outlets,' he asserts.

Uncertain future

CAPITOL Theatre was built in 1930 by the Namazies, a family of land owners, businessmen and lawyers of Persian origin.

Famous for its neo-Classical designs such as a pair of maidens on white winged horses and zodiac signs on its dome, it was reportedly used by the Japanese army during World War II.

The building, at the corner of Stamford Road and North Bridge Road, was subsequently bombed by anti-Japanese resistance groups in 1944.

Shaw Organisation bought the building for $3.8 million in 1946, turning it into its flagship cinema with air-conditioning. From then till the 1970s, patrons paid between $1 and $3 for gallery, stall or circle seats.

Shaw Organisation also submitted plans in the 1970s to redevelop the 6,511 sq m site, including the then Shaw Building in front of the cinema, into a shopping complex with three screens and 300 serviced apartments. It also agreed to maintain the architecture for preservation purposes, says a Shaw spokesman.

However, approval from the Government was not forthcoming and the cinema and Shaw Building (now called Capitol Building) were gazetted by the authorities for urban redevelopment in 1984.

The acquisition was carried out in 1987 and Shaw was granted a temporary occupation licence to operate the cinema.

Back then, newspaper reports stated that the reason for the acquisition was to be 'in line with government policy to acquire sites in close proximity to MRT stations... to enable comprehensive developments around the stations in order to realise the full potential of the sites as a result of the Government's investment in MRT'.

'Now, it is not practical to solely develop Capitol Theatre as a cinema,' says the Shaw spokesman. 'Any interest from Shaw would have to involve the entire site.'

According to Mr Nicholas Mak, property consultancy Knight Frank's director of consultancy and research, developing the cinema into a lifestyle or theatre hub may be an uphill task.

'If it becomes a shopping mall, it has to contend with Raffles City and Suntec City nearby. As an arts hub, the Esplanade is already within sight,' he elaborates.

Besides possible government restriction on how to renovate the building to preserve its historical architecture, developers may be put off by the crowds of foreign workers in the area.

'Like how Beach Road is little Thailand, the area around Capitol is like a little Myanmar,' he adds.

'The consultants behind any new developments will find it a challenge to market the place and attract their desired particular segment of people.'

Mr Dinesh Naidu, a member of the Singapore Heritage Society, remembers fondly the times when he went to the then-opulent Capitol with his family to watch blockbusters like Steven Spielberg's ET in the early 1980s.

'It is always a source of anxiety when we see a well-loved historic building rotting away with an uncertain future,' he says. 'However, I think we should also cultivate patience when dealing with old gems rather than rush to always maximise their usage.'

'I hope we do not repeat past mistakes at this building.'

By Hazel Yong

Capitol Downhill

2 Jul 06

The historic Capitol Theatre has been empty since the cinema closed in 1998. The 76-year-old building, reeking of urine andwith its doors rotting, is in a derelict state

ONCE it was Singapore's grande dame of cinemas, a destination for three generations of movie-lovers eager to see the latest Hollywood flicks.

Now, it is starring in its very own Fright Night.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20060701/ST_IMAGES_LIFHMCAPITOLt.jpg

'It' is Capitol Theatre. The colonial-style building, in the middle of the bustling City Hall area, turned 76 in May.

But it is unused, and has been so for eight years. The cinema closed down in 1998, its large one-screen arrangement the victim of the multiplex trend. The last picture show: a Kurt Russell sci-fi action movie called Soldier. About 500 people saw 'The End' come up for the last time in the cinema on Dec 29.

Since then, the crumbling building, which is owned by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), has been fighting its own losing battle against the forces of time.

Plans to get arts groups to move in have come to nought. As to what the future holds, no one can shed any light.

One sure thing though: The derelict building would make a great set for a Stephen King horror movie. At creepy Capitol:


The light has gone from the neon tubing forming the 'Capitol' signage.

The black wooden board used for movie posters is bare and pock- marked.

An outside staircase is boarded up; another reeks of urine and leads to a locked steel gate.

Paint is peeling off railings and the wooden side doors are rotting.
Mechanic Steven Yong, 22, who works at Paintless Dent Removal situated in Capitol Centre's carpark next door, says: 'Only a handful of tourists come every day to take pictures of the place. Some local students drop by with their videocams to film it for their projects.'

Over the past five years, workers from Myanmar have been gathering there at night to play the guitar and get high drinking cough medicine, he adds.

National serviceman Mohamed Nasir, 22, says he has spotted rowdy workers sitting on the pavement on weekends. He parks his motorcycle nearby to wait for his girlfriend to finish shopping.

'I get my girlfriend to wait for me at the main road because it's dark here,' he says.

No takers

WHILE there have been reports as early as a decade ago about turning the 1,686-seat cinema into a theatre for musicals and a potential school building for the nearby Singapore Management University, these plans never came to fruition.

Despite its nostalgic value, a check with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) shows that it is not gazetted as a conservation building.

All that the URA would say is that the area is part of a larger site zoned for commercial use, such as for entertainment, retail, and food and beverage purposes.

'Since July 2000, the STB has been working with suitable investors to adapt the theatre into a modern performing arts venue for world-class productions,' says Mr Oliver Chong, STB's director of cluster development (events and entertainment).

'Unfortunately, the various potential investors that the STB approached had assessed that a performing arts venue on the site is not economically viable at this point in time.'

One group that was interested in the building was the Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT). The theatre group met the STB informally over five years ago to discuss siting the group there.

SRT's artistic director, Mr Gaurav Kripalani, says the costs of restoring infrastructure such as air-conditioning, sound system and seats seemed 'quite prohibitive'.

'It's a gorgeous theatre and I would love to situate SRT there if someone would renovate it and if it fits our performing specifications,' he adds.

The STB began the process of returning the 2,146 sq m building to the Singapore Land Authority as state-owned land earlier this year. But not all is lost for the ageing building, argues Mr Chong.

'The theatre is situated in a strategic location and forms part of a larger site identified for comprehensive urban redevelopment. It has the potential to be developed into a lifestyle hub where people can enjoy world-class entertainment, shop and relax at a variety of food and beverage outlets,' he asserts.

Uncertain future

CAPITOL Theatre was built in 1930 by the Namazies, a family of land owners, businessmen and lawyers of Persian origin.

Famous for its neo-Classical designs such as a pair of maidens on white winged horses and zodiac signs on its dome, it was reportedly used by the Japanese army during World War II.

The building, at the corner of Stamford Road and North Bridge Road, was subsequently bombed by anti-Japanese resistance groups in 1944.

Shaw Organisation bought the building for $3.8 million in 1946, turning it into its flagship cinema with air-conditioning. From then till the 1970s, patrons paid between $1 and $3 for gallery, stall or circle seats.

Shaw Organisation also submitted plans in the 1970s to redevelop the 6,511 sq m site, including the then Shaw Building in front of the cinema, into a shopping complex with three screens and 300 serviced apartments. It also agreed to maintain the architecture for preservation purposes, says a Shaw spokesman.

However, approval from the Government was not forthcoming and the cinema and Shaw Building (now called Capitol Building) were gazetted by the authorities for urban redevelopment in 1984.

The acquisition was carried out in 1987 and Shaw was granted a temporary occupation licence to operate the cinema.

Back then, newspaper reports stated that the reason for the acquisition was to be 'in line with government policy to acquire sites in close proximity to MRT stations... to enable comprehensive developments around the stations in order to realise the full potential of the sites as a result of the Government's investment in MRT'.

'Now, it is not practical to solely develop Capitol Theatre as a cinema,' says the Shaw spokesman. 'Any interest from Shaw would have to involve the entire site.'

According to Mr Nicholas Mak, property consultancy Knight Frank's director of consultancy and research, developing the cinema into a lifestyle or theatre hub may be an uphill task.

'If it becomes a shopping mall, it has to contend with Raffles City and Suntec City nearby. As an arts hub, the Esplanade is already within sight,' he elaborates.

Besides possible government restriction on how to renovate the building to preserve its historical architecture, developers may be put off by the crowds of foreign workers in the area.

'Like how Beach Road is little Thailand, the area around Capitol is like a little Myanmar,' he adds.

'The consultants behind any new developments will find it a challenge to market the place and attract their desired particular segment of people.'

Mr Dinesh Naidu, a member of the Singapore Heritage Society, remembers fondly the times when he went to the then-opulent Capitol with his family to watch blockbusters like Steven Spielberg's ET in the early 1980s.

'It is always a source of anxiety when we see a well-loved historic building rotting away with an uncertain future,' he says. 'However, I think we should also cultivate patience when dealing with old gems rather than rush to always maximise their usage.'

'I hope we do not repeat past mistakes at this building.'

By Hazel Yong

It is true at how bad and good we can be in preserving old buildings. Anyway a picture of the interior of the capitol cinema can be seen in a book called, Singapore, the early years, 1800-2000. It could well be turn into an entertainment area as nothing is too much. Esplanade theatres are too big and too posh for a musical and the singhts of capitol entrance is just enluring. Morever, the theatres at esplanade and victoria and raffles are always fully booked. (the only ones we have in the area). More should be done to preserve the ancient arts scene in asia and particularly Singapore with a uniquely mixed populations and cultures. We are not west end(london) or broadway(new york) or la pigalle(france) or darling harbour(sydney) BUT we can be if we want or should i say if the government really finds it feasible and can bring in the big bucks.

It is true at how bad and good we can be in preserving old buildings. Anyway a picture of the interior of the capitol cinema can be seen in a book called, Singapore, the early years, 1800-2000. It could well be turn into an entertainment area as nothing is too much. Esplanade theatres are too big and too posh for a musical and the singhts of capitol entrance is just enluring. Morever, the theatres at esplanade and victoria and raffles are always fully booked. (the only ones we have in the area). More should be done to preserve the ancient arts scene in asia and particularly Singapore with a uniquely mixed populations and cultures. We are not west end(london) or broadway(new york) or la pigalle(france) or darling harbour(sydney) BUT we can be if we want or should i say if the government really finds it feasible and can bring in the big bucks.

Any pics of how the theatre room looks ?
if you dare, look through the window of this office. you can see row C from there.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0022.jpg

but if u do see something else, it's not my fault. it already looks so creepy, u dun wan a second look. :runaway:

given that the fact the door is not exactly enclosed, it could be quite dusty inside now. :(

Any pics of how the theatre room looks ?
if you dare, look through the window of this office. you can see row C from there.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0022.jpg

but if u do see something else, it's not my fault. it already looks so creepy, u dun wan a second look. :runaway:

given that the fact the door is not exactly enclosed, it could be quite dusty inside now. :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0013.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0020.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0021.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0023.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0027.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0013.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0020.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0021.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0023.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0027.jpg

Amazing!

I've never actually ventured down there to take pics...despite its location smack in town, cos the Stamford House & Capitol Building seem to take all the attention.

Its actually quite ornate, even the backlanes.

This angle in particular seems really special:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0015.jpg

Amazing!

I've never actually ventured down there to take pics...despite its location smack in town, cos the Stamford House & Capitol Building seem to take all the attention.

Its actually quite ornate, even the backlanes.

This angle in particular seems really special:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0015.jpg

Amazing!

I've never actually ventured down there to take pics...despite its location smack in town, cos the Stamford House & Capitol Building seem to take all the attention.

Its actually quite ornate, even the backlanes.

This angle in particular seems really special:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0015.jpg
special cos it's ornate? :)

still brushing up my perception of urban structures... tis pic didn't look like it'd stand out to me, so must enlighten me..... :yes:

Amazing!

I've never actually ventured down there to take pics...despite its location smack in town, cos the Stamford House & Capitol Building seem to take all the attention.

Its actually quite ornate, even the backlanes.

This angle in particular seems really special:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/jul06/ccl1/DSC_0015.jpg
special cos it's ornate? :)

still brushing up my perception of urban structures... tis pic didn't look like it'd stand out to me, so must enlighten me..... :yes:

I like that pic cos it doesnt seem like Singapore to me....because no tall or recognisable structures stick out....in Singapore...many views are usually interrupted by a highrise flat poking out over the distance for eg...

I dunno...the colours...run-down conditions and the angle remind me of some Mediterranean place...

definitely worth conserving

I like that pic cos it doesnt seem like Singapore to me....because no tall or recognisable structures stick out....in Singapore...many views are usually interrupted by a highrise flat poking out over the distance for eg...

I dunno...the colours...run-down conditions and the angle remind me of some Mediterranean place...

definitely worth conserving

I can see why it is difficult to redevelop this small enclaved building into anything new... Certainly a standalone cinema room in such a location would stand no chance.

It should be redeveloped together with that ugly useless lowrise Capitol Centre. Capitol Centre could be torn down and redeveloped into something worth of competing with Rafflescity mall, while being linked together with Capitol Theatre which then could be conserved.

How dya think ? ^ ^

I can see why it is difficult to redevelop this small enclaved building into anything new... Certainly a standalone cinema room in such a location would stand no chance.

It should be redeveloped together with that ugly useless lowrise Capitol Centre. Capitol Centre could be torn down and redeveloped into something worth of competing with Rafflescity mall, while being linked together with Capitol Theatre which then could be conserved.

How dya think ? ^ ^

I like that pic cos it doesnt seem like Singapore to me....because no tall or recognisable structures stick out....in Singapore...many views are usually interrupted by a highrise flat poking out over the distance for eg...

I dunno...the colours...run-down conditions and the angle remind me of some Mediterranean place...

definitely worth conserving
wow. okay. understood. :yes:

I like that pic cos it doesnt seem like Singapore to me....because no tall or recognisable structures stick out....in Singapore...many views are usually interrupted by a highrise flat poking out over the distance for eg...

I dunno...the colours...run-down conditions and the angle remind me of some Mediterranean place...

definitely worth conserving
wow. okay. understood. :yes:

I can see why it is difficult to redevelop this small enclaved building into anything new... Certainly a standalone cinema room in such a location would stand no chance.

It should be redeveloped together with that ugly useless lowrise Capitol Centre. Capitol Centre could be torn down and redeveloped into something worth of competing with Rafflescity mall, while being linked together with Capitol Theatre which then could be conserved.

How dya think ? ^ ^

Suggested this idea to them two weeks ago but was told that they are studying the development plan for the area and any redevelopment plan will need to take into the tenancies of the existing buildings in that area.

I can see why it is difficult to redevelop this small enclaved building into anything new... Certainly a standalone cinema room in such a location would stand no chance.

It should be redeveloped together with that ugly useless lowrise Capitol Centre. Capitol Centre could be torn down and redeveloped into something worth of competing with Rafflescity mall, while being linked together with Capitol Theatre which then could be conserved.

How dya think ? ^ ^

Suggested this idea to them two weeks ago but was told that they are studying the development plan for the area and any redevelopment plan will need to take into the tenancies of the existing buildings in that area.

Maybe from this theatre they build something taller by adding more floors above the building like the one in New York? make something useful out of it. That would be better than letting it rot.

Maybe from this theatre they build something taller by adding more floors above the building like the one in New York? make something useful out of it. That would be better than letting it rot.

hmmm....nah would prefer if they left the theatre intact and just redevelop the Capitol Centre

hmmm....nah would prefer if they left the theatre intact and just redevelop the Capitol Centre

Maybe from this theatre they build something taller by adding more floors above the building like the one in New York? make something useful out of it. That would be better than letting it rot.

They surely cannot do that without rebuilding the internal structure... Meaning demolishing the theatre room... What's the point of conserving a cinema if you demolish the theatre room ? ;-)

Maybe from this theatre they build something taller by adding more floors above the building like the one in New York? make something useful out of it. That would be better than letting it rot.

They surely cannot do that without rebuilding the internal structure... Meaning demolishing the theatre room... What's the point of conserving a cinema if you demolish the theatre room ? ;-)

It is mentioned briefly here:

Wanted: Fashion hothouse for local design scene

3 Mar 07

Industry pundits believe a fashion incubator is what Singapore needs to breathe new life into the rag trade here. MICHELLE TAY assesses the situation.

PLANS are being hatched, literally, to revive the Singapore design scene and they involve a fashion incubator. Fashion pundits believe that a place which brings all home-grown designers and brands under one roof could inject new energy into the retail front.

Designer Daniel Yam says the local retail scene is boring and lacks diversity. A fashion incubator, he says, could give it a breath of fresh air.

The idea of a fashion incubator involves Singapore designers and labels - both fledgling and established - setting up a large shop-cum-exhibition space in a central location that is easily accessible to both Singaporeans and tourists.

Talk of a one-stop shop for consumers to get their local designer fix has been swirling around in fashion circles for at least seven years. It is a concept currently being spearheaded by the Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFf).

TaFf secretary-general Chris Koh says the hope is that a national body would lend its support in the form of subsidised rent for the younger designers.

Spring and trade promotion agency IE Singapore, both of which give grants to support Singapore Fashion Week, would not comment on whether they will allocate funds to the project.

However, Spring noted that the infrastructure for such a project would take about 'three to five years' to set up. Meanwhile IE Singapore said it should be something that 'attracts regional designers to use Singapore as a springboard' for breaking into the regional design scene.

Industry speculation is that Capitol Building in Stamford Road, which sits on land owned by the Singapore Land Authority, is a targeted spot due to its central location.

But its feasibility remains a moot point. The colonial-style building houses the Capitol Theatre, which has been unused since 1998.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority has plans to redevelop the historic area in the next few years, but designating it specifically as a retail hub is not on the cards.

However, a latent movement by local designers has resulted in Stamford House, the building next door to Capitol Building, becoming a mini enclave of home-grown brands: Swirl, Nicholas and Baylene have their stand-alone boutiques there.

Designer Celia Loe was Capitol Building's pioneer fashion tenant when she set up her Celia Loe label - now renamed Celiana - 11 years ago. Designers Thomas Wee and Allan Chai had boutiques there in the 1990s, too, but have both since closed or moved away.

This would not be the first time that a store dedicated wholly to Singaporean labels is set up.

In 1985, composer-designer Dick Lee and business partner Alan Koh started Hemispheres at Delfi Orchard, modelled on London's Hyper Hyper, a bazaar of stalls run by chic young designers.

New designers like Heng Juit Leng - who now designs for local clubbing gear brand Future State - and Vik Lim - who now teaches fashion design at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts - sold their avant-garde creations there.

David Wang says his label Forward People made monthly sales of between $15,000 and $20,000 and he 'constantly fought for the top three sales positions' with fellow designers Arthur Yen and Henri Ho.

But Hemispheres closed after four years, despite it being profitable, says Mr Koh.

He adds: 'Hemispheres was really a designers' gallery as very few stores were prepared to allow new and untested designers to come into their retail space. It did very well.'

But as those designers found commercial success and moved out of the boutique, there was no exciting new blood to fill the void and the store then 'died a natural death', says Lim, whose accessories label Aesthetics of Boredom sold there.

But Mr Koh disagrees.

He says: 'It closed because it had already fulfilled its purpose of what it was set up to do, which was to give these designers a launch pad.'

Then came Style Singapore in Park Mall in 1991. The store housed 60 local labels on three large floors, and sold everything from the haute couture of Thomas Wee to mass-market brands.

Even with shareholders like the Economic Development Board and the Trade Development Board, it suffered poor business and closed four years later - reportedly due to mismanagement and shoddy quality control over its merchandise.

It remains to be seen if such a concept will take off today, or still fall flat on its face.

Perhaps the incubator should not just be about fashion, says Yang Derong, group image director of C K Tang Limited, because fashion today does not stand alone; boundaries between fashion, art and science are all blurred.

London-based designer Hussein Chalayan demonstrated this last Wednesday at London Fashion Week when he showed a dress that (through the magic of LED technology) played its own movie.

Yang, whose label People's Republic sold at Hemispheres, said: 'An incubator is very welcome. We badly need a creative retail experience that brings designers, visual merchandisers, artists and filmmakers together to raise the bar. We are definitely ready for it."

He adds: 'And it doesn't have to be just for Singaporeans. It should be a regional magnet that attracts people who want to explore new things in fashion and other designs. Can you imagine how wonderful that will be?'

It is mentioned briefly here:

Wanted: Fashion hothouse for local design scene

3 Mar 07

Industry pundits believe a fashion incubator is what Singapore needs to breathe new life into the rag trade here. MICHELLE TAY assesses the situation.

PLANS are being hatched, literally, to revive the Singapore design scene and they involve a fashion incubator. Fashion pundits believe that a place which brings all home-grown designers and brands under one roof could inject new energy into the retail front.

Designer Daniel Yam says the local retail scene is boring and lacks diversity. A fashion incubator, he says, could give it a breath of fresh air.

The idea of a fashion incubator involves Singapore designers and labels - both fledgling and established - setting up a large shop-cum-exhibition space in a central location that is easily accessible to both Singaporeans and tourists.

Talk of a one-stop shop for consumers to get their local designer fix has been swirling around in fashion circles for at least seven years. It is a concept currently being spearheaded by the Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFf).

TaFf secretary-general Chris Koh says the hope is that a national body would lend its support in the form of subsidised rent for the younger designers.

Spring and trade promotion agency IE Singapore, both of which give grants to support Singapore Fashion Week, would not comment on whether they will allocate funds to the project.

However, Spring noted that the infrastructure for such a project would take about 'three to five years' to set up. Meanwhile IE Singapore said it should be something that 'attracts regional designers to use Singapore as a springboard' for breaking into the regional design scene.

Industry speculation is that Capitol Building in Stamford Road, which sits on land owned by the Singapore Land Authority, is a targeted spot due to its central location.

But its feasibility remains a moot point. The colonial-style building houses the Capitol Theatre, which has been unused since 1998.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority has plans to redevelop the historic area in the next few years, but designating it specifically as a retail hub is not on the cards.

However, a latent movement by local designers has resulted in Stamford House, the building next door to Capitol Building, becoming a mini enclave of home-grown brands: Swirl, Nicholas and Baylene have their stand-alone boutiques there.

Designer Celia Loe was Capitol Building's pioneer fashion tenant when she set up her Celia Loe label - now renamed Celiana - 11 years ago. Designers Thomas Wee and Allan Chai had boutiques there in the 1990s, too, but have both since closed or moved away.

This would not be the first time that a store dedicated wholly to Singaporean labels is set up.

In 1985, composer-designer Dick Lee and business partner Alan Koh started Hemispheres at Delfi Orchard, modelled on London's Hyper Hyper, a bazaar of stalls run by chic young designers.

New designers like Heng Juit Leng - who now designs for local clubbing gear brand Future State - and Vik Lim - who now teaches fashion design at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts - sold their avant-garde creations there.

David Wang says his label Forward People made monthly sales of between $15,000 and $20,000 and he 'constantly fought for the top three sales positions' with fellow designers Arthur Yen and Henri Ho.

But Hemispheres closed after four years, despite it being profitable, says Mr Koh.

He adds: 'Hemispheres was really a designers' gallery as very few stores were prepared to allow new and untested designers to come into their retail space. It did very well.'

But as those designers found commercial success and moved out of the boutique, there was no exciting new blood to fill the void and the store then 'died a natural death', says Lim, whose accessories label Aesthetics of Boredom sold there.

But Mr Koh disagrees.

He says: 'It closed because it had already fulfilled its purpose of what it was set up to do, which was to give these designers a launch pad.'

Then came Style Singapore in Park Mall in 1991. The store housed 60 local labels on three large floors, and sold everything from the haute couture of Thomas Wee to mass-market brands.

Even with shareholders like the Economic Development Board and the Trade Development Board, it suffered poor business and closed four years later - reportedly due to mismanagement and shoddy quality control over its merchandise.

It remains to be seen if such a concept will take off today, or still fall flat on its face.

Perhaps the incubator should not just be about fashion, says Yang Derong, group image director of C K Tang Limited, because fashion today does not stand alone; boundaries between fashion, art and science are all blurred.

London-based designer Hussein Chalayan demonstrated this last Wednesday at London Fashion Week when he showed a dress that (through the magic of LED technology) played its own movie.

Yang, whose label People's Republic sold at Hemispheres, said: 'An incubator is very welcome. We badly need a creative retail experience that brings designers, visual merchandisers, artists and filmmakers together to raise the bar. We are definitely ready for it."

He adds: 'And it doesn't have to be just for Singaporeans. It should be a regional magnet that attracts people who want to explore new things in fashion and other designs. Can you imagine how wonderful that will be?'

sad building...

sad building...

We had a design centre just round the corner..... look what happened....

We had a design centre just round the corner..... look what happened....

it became an instuition centre

it became an instuition centre

Hope they would preserve the astrological sculptures on the theatre roof when they refurbish it in future. Those were stuntingly beautiful.

Hope they would preserve the astrological sculptures on the theatre roof when they refurbish it in future. Those were stuntingly beautiful.

Oh ? There are sculptures inside the hall ? Now I wanna see it ! ^ ^

Oh ? There are sculptures inside the hall ? Now I wanna see it ! ^ ^

Oh ? There are sculptures inside the hall ? Now I wanna see it ! ^ ^
Its inside the theatre, and only if you turn on the lights. All 12 astrological signs, horses etc. Very quaint.

Oh ? There are sculptures inside the hall ? Now I wanna see it ! ^ ^
Its inside the theatre, and only if you turn on the lights. All 12 astrological signs, horses etc. Very quaint.

If the theatre are brought back to its old gory ( inside ) it must be somewhat breathtaking. Imagine, raffles jubilee hall.

If the theatre are brought back to its old gory ( inside ) it must be somewhat breathtaking. Imagine, raffles jubilee hall.

http://202.172.178.226/DJVUServer/getImage.jsp?file=/picas_data/tn_pcd/19980005088-8073-3222-4807/img0066.jpg

http://202.172.178.226/DJVUServer/getImage.jsp?file=/picas_data/tn_pcd/19980005088-8073-3222-4807/img0066.jpg

Wow so it's really a 1930-style cinema hall, that's amazing it was kept in this form for all those years ! It has to be protected !

Wow so it's really a 1930-style cinema hall, that's amazing it was kept in this form for all those years ! It has to be protected !

If the theatre are brought back to its old gory ( inside ) it must be somewhat breathtaking. Imagine, raffles jubilee hall.

gore? is that sarcasm or a misspelling? :lol:

If the theatre are brought back to its old gory ( inside ) it must be somewhat breathtaking. Imagine, raffles jubilee hall.

gore? is that sarcasm or a misspelling? :lol:

Oh my goodness, what a treasure! Every time I walked past this excellent old building I've wondered what it's like inside. I'd like to see it restored to it's original glory and re-opened as an independent arthouse cinema showing alternative and movies. Singapore is full of huge multi-screen cinemas showing the latest blockbusters but I don't know of any independent ones. What's the Cathay cinema? Is it independent and does it show alternative films?

Oh my goodness, what a treasure! Every time I walked past this excellent old building I've wondered what it's like inside. I'd like to see it restored to it's original glory and re-opened as an independent arthouse cinema showing alternative and movies. Singapore is full of huge multi-screen cinemas showing the latest blockbusters but I don't know of any independent ones. What's the Cathay cinema? Is it independent and does it show alternative films?

Oh my goodness, what a treasure! Every time I walked past this excellent old building I've wondered what it's like inside. I'd like to see it restored to it's original glory and re-opened as an independent arthouse cinema showing alternative and movies. Singapore is full of huge multi-screen cinemas showing the latest blockbusters but I don't know of any independent ones. What's the Cathay cinema? Is it independent and does it show alternative films?
Capitol Cinema could not survive because it is too large (inside) and the space cannot be easily converted into multi-screens without tearing apart the quaint decor. If it is going to be an arthouse cinema and with such a huge theatre, it might not survive again given the overheads and low audience base.

I had enjoyed it while it lasted though.... it was one of my favourite cinemas some years back.

Oh my goodness, what a treasure! Every time I walked past this excellent old building I've wondered what it's like inside. I'd like to see it restored to it's original glory and re-opened as an independent arthouse cinema showing alternative and movies. Singapore is full of huge multi-screen cinemas showing the latest blockbusters but I don't know of any independent ones. What's the Cathay cinema? Is it independent and does it show alternative films?
Capitol Cinema could not survive because it is too large (inside) and the space cannot be easily converted into multi-screens without tearing apart the quaint decor. If it is going to be an arthouse cinema and with such a huge theatre, it might not survive again given the overheads and low audience base.

I had enjoyed it while it lasted though.... it was one of my favourite cinemas some years back.

Capitol Cinema could not survive because it is too large (inside) and the space cannot be easily converted into multi-screens without tearing apart the quaint decor. If it is going to be an arthouse cinema and with such a huge theatre, it might not survive again given the overheads and low audience base.

I had enjoyed it while it lasted though.... it was one of my favourite cinemas some years back.

Were there any cinemas like Capitol? What about the interior of the old Cathay before division of the hall in the 1990s?

Capitol Cinema could not survive because it is too large (inside) and the space cannot be easily converted into multi-screens without tearing apart the quaint decor. If it is going to be an arthouse cinema and with such a huge theatre, it might not survive again given the overheads and low audience base.

I had enjoyed it while it lasted though.... it was one of my favourite cinemas some years back.

Were there any cinemas like Capitol? What about the interior of the old Cathay before division of the hall in the 1990s?

I just remember both were pretty dark inside back then...mmm..the KFC at Cathay used to open till very late..like 4am (before McDonalds went 24 hrs)

I just remember both were pretty dark inside back then...mmm..the KFC at Cathay used to open till very late..like 4am (before McDonalds went 24 hrs)

Capitol Cinema could not survive because it is too large (inside) and the space cannot be easily converted into multi-screens without tearing apart the quaint decor. If it is going to be an arthouse cinema and with such a huge theatre, it might not survive again given the overheads and low audience base.

I had enjoyed it while it lasted though.... it was one of my favourite cinemas some years back.

If I was someone important at URA, I'd take the unique opportunity given here.
Capitol Cinema CAN survive again if it is redevelopped correctly. Adjoining Capitol Centre is an old lowrise piece of crap that only deserves to be torn down (to put it mildly ^ ^ ). Auction the whole lot (that is, Capitol Cinema + Capitol Centre) to a new developer with a guideline to conserve the theatre hall. Then you can expand the building and make it a multiplex of which the old hall would be the masterpiece. Instead of Capitol Centre you can have a shopping mall, an office tower, a hotel, or yet another super-luxury condominium if you so wish it.

Capitol Cinema could not survive because it is too large (inside) and the space cannot be easily converted into multi-screens without tearing apart the quaint decor. If it is going to be an arthouse cinema and with such a huge theatre, it might not survive again given the overheads and low audience base.

I had enjoyed it while it lasted though.... it was one of my favourite cinemas some years back.

If I was someone important at URA, I'd take the unique opportunity given here.
Capitol Cinema CAN survive again if it is redevelopped correctly. Adjoining Capitol Centre is an old lowrise piece of crap that only deserves to be torn down (to put it mildly ^ ^ ). Auction the whole lot (that is, Capitol Cinema + Capitol Centre) to a new developer with a guideline to conserve the theatre hall. Then you can expand the building and make it a multiplex of which the old hall would be the masterpiece. Instead of Capitol Centre you can have a shopping mall, an office tower, a hotel, or yet another super-luxury condominium if you so wish it.

If I was someone important at URA, I'd take the unique opportunity given here.
Capitol Cinema CAN survive again if it is redevelopped correctly. Adjoining Capitol Centre is an old lowrise piece of crap that only deserves to be torn down (to put it mildly ^ ^ ). Auction the whole lot (that is, Capitol Cinema + Capitol Centre) to a new developer with a guideline to conserve the theatre hall. Then you can expand the building and make it a multiplex of which the old hall would be the masterpiece. Instead of Capitol Centre you can have a shopping mall, an office tower, a hotel, or yet another super-luxury condominium if you so wish it.

This is a strategic site. I'm sure there will be plans for it ;-)

I also agree that Capitol Centre can be redeveloped into something more befitting of its location and neighbours ;-)

If I was someone important at URA, I'd take the unique opportunity given here.
Capitol Cinema CAN survive again if it is redevelopped correctly. Adjoining Capitol Centre is an old lowrise piece of crap that only deserves to be torn down (to put it mildly ^ ^ ). Auction the whole lot (that is, Capitol Cinema + Capitol Centre) to a new developer with a guideline to conserve the theatre hall. Then you can expand the building and make it a multiplex of which the old hall would be the masterpiece. Instead of Capitol Centre you can have a shopping mall, an office tower, a hotel, or yet another super-luxury condominium if you so wish it.

This is a strategic site. I'm sure there will be plans for it ;-)

I also agree that Capitol Centre can be redeveloped into something more befitting of its location and neighbours ;-)

We could hold SIFF inside Capitol. Turn it into media arts cultural centre.

We could hold SIFF inside Capitol. Turn it into media arts cultural centre.

If I was someone important at URA, I'd take the unique opportunity given here.
Capitol Cinema CAN survive again if it is redevelopped correctly. Adjoining Capitol Centre is an old lowrise piece of crap that only deserves to be torn down (to put it mildly ^ ^ ). Auction the whole lot (that is, Capitol Cinema + Capitol Centre) to a new developer with a guideline to conserve the theatre hall. Then you can expand the building and make it a multiplex of which the old hall would be the masterpiece. Instead of Capitol Centre you can have a shopping mall, an office tower, a hotel, or yet another super-luxury condominium if you so wish it.
Very Good Ideas. Now we just need that someone important at URA to read this thread .... :lol:

If I was someone important at URA, I'd take the unique opportunity given here.
Capitol Cinema CAN survive again if it is redevelopped correctly. Adjoining Capitol Centre is an old lowrise piece of crap that only deserves to be torn down (to put it mildly ^ ^ ). Auction the whole lot (that is, Capitol Cinema + Capitol Centre) to a new developer with a guideline to conserve the theatre hall. Then you can expand the building and make it a multiplex of which the old hall would be the masterpiece. Instead of Capitol Centre you can have a shopping mall, an office tower, a hotel, or yet another super-luxury condominium if you so wish it.
Very Good Ideas. Now we just need that someone important at URA to read this thread .... :lol:

I just remember both were pretty dark inside back then...mmm..the KFC at Cathay used to open till very late..like 4am (before McDonalds went 24 hrs)
I don't think the internals of Cathay cinema was anything unique (just plain boxy space for watching shows). Can't remember KFC there now, but I sure remember the Orange Julius outlet there as they were so rare in Singapore!

I just remember both were pretty dark inside back then...mmm..the KFC at Cathay used to open till very late..like 4am (before McDonalds went 24 hrs)
I don't think the internals of Cathay cinema was anything unique (just plain boxy space for watching shows). Can't remember KFC there now, but I sure remember the Orange Julius outlet there as they were so rare in Singapore!

Excellent suggestion, Pengui! :okay:

Very Good Ideas. Now we just need that someone important at URA to read this thread .... :lol:

Or people could write to them ... ;)

Excellent suggestion, Pengui! :okay:

Very Good Ideas. Now we just need that someone important at URA to read this thread .... :lol:

Or people could write to them ... ;)

Wouldn't it be nice if something similiar to kodak theatre would be built there. The enormous number of seats in capitol could be upgraded into something plush such as the esplanade and in turn hold performnces and gala events now that kallang theatre has closed down. The country needs more venues.

Wouldn't it be nice if something similiar to kodak theatre would be built there. The enormous number of seats in capitol could be upgraded into something plush such as the esplanade and in turn hold performnces and gala events now that kallang theatre has closed down. The country needs more venues.

one of the problems of converting capitol theatre into a venue that can host plays might have to do with it's size. it looks pretty big and most local arts groups would 1) have trouble filling up so many seats 2) pay $$$$$$ for the rental. the bigger splashier foreign shows will go to the esplanade.

anyone remember how many seats in there? i was in there ages ago, but i don't recall. i do love this space though, and i hope they do conserve it SOON! even the goofy capitol building on the corner - i love the curves of the building. :)

one of the problems of converting capitol theatre into a venue that can host plays might have to do with it's size. it looks pretty big and most local arts groups would 1) have trouble filling up so many seats 2) pay $$$$$$ for the rental. the bigger splashier foreign shows will go to the esplanade.

anyone remember how many seats in there? i was in there ages ago, but i don't recall. i do love this space though, and i hope they do conserve it SOON! even the goofy capitol building on the corner - i love the curves of the building. :)

It has 1686 seats. This is close to 3 times as big as your regular cineplex room.
Only blockbusters will fill such a room. After renovation it would probably have less seats than that, but would remain a lot bigger even than Prince. It must remain as a cinema, and nowadays cinemas can make money only if there is a sufficient number of halls, to rotate the movies from bigger to smaller halls, run films in several rooms at a time, and so on.

I got the seats figure from here:




The Capitol Cinema (Shaws Building) in Stamford Road was completed in 1931 by the architect Keys & Dowdeswell. The style of the building is eclectic neo-Classicism, characterised by somewhat ponderous detailing.(1)



It was one of the very few air-conditioned theatres. It was built by the Namazie family to host live shows.(4)



By the mid-1930s, there were 10 cinemas, of which the Capitol was the largest and the newest. It opened in 1930 and was followed by the Alhambra, Marlborough, Pavilion, Roxy, Wembley, Tivoli, Empire, Jubilee and Gaiety. (3)



During the Japanese Occupation, the Capitol operated under the name Kyo-Ei Gekkyo until 1944, when a bomb planted by the anti-Japanese resistance damaged it. The theatre's English-language movies were later forbidden by the Japanese who replaced them with their own films. After 1946, the Capitol was purchased by Shaw and rebuilt. It became the organisation's flagship theatre (1,686 seats). The patrons had "the choice of gallery, stalls and circle seats which were priced at S$1, S$2 and S$3 respectively from the early post-World War II years until the 1970s. (4)



It was listed for preservation in August 1983 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and acquired by it in 1983-1984 so that it would be preserved as part of a future development.



Its career as a movie theatre ended on 29 Dec 1998 when Shaw Organisation, its tenant since 1984, returned it to the Urban Redevelopment Board (URA).

It has 1686 seats. This is close to 3 times as big as your regular cineplex room.
Only blockbusters will fill such a room. After renovation it would probably have less seats than that, but would remain a lot bigger even than Prince. It must remain as a cinema, and nowadays cinemas can make money only if there is a sufficient number of halls, to rotate the movies from bigger to smaller halls, run films in several rooms at a time, and so on.

I got the seats figure from here:




The Capitol Cinema (Shaws Building) in Stamford Road was completed in 1931 by the architect Keys & Dowdeswell. The style of the building is eclectic neo-Classicism, characterised by somewhat ponderous detailing.(1)



It was one of the very few air-conditioned theatres. It was built by the Namazie family to host live shows.(4)



By the mid-1930s, there were 10 cinemas, of which the Capitol was the largest and the newest. It opened in 1930 and was followed by the Alhambra, Marlborough, Pavilion, Roxy, Wembley, Tivoli, Empire, Jubilee and Gaiety. (3)



During the Japanese Occupation, the Capitol operated under the name Kyo-Ei Gekkyo until 1944, when a bomb planted by the anti-Japanese resistance damaged it. The theatre's English-language movies were later forbidden by the Japanese who replaced them with their own films. After 1946, the Capitol was purchased by Shaw and rebuilt. It became the organisation's flagship theatre (1,686 seats). The patrons had "the choice of gallery, stalls and circle seats which were priced at S$1, S$2 and S$3 respectively from the early post-World War II years until the 1970s. (4)



It was listed for preservation in August 1983 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and acquired by it in 1983-1984 so that it would be preserved as part of a future development.



Its career as a movie theatre ended on 29 Dec 1998 when Shaw Organisation, its tenant since 1984, returned it to the Urban Redevelopment Board (URA).

Hey I don't know if anyone's still interested, but I took some pics inside the Capitol earlier this year. The lighting is all temporary, and really poor, so most of the shot came out really bad, but you can get an idea of some of the spaces.

Inside the whole building is really run down, but still very beautiful, and has a lot of potential I think. Lots of character.

Oh and the astrological images in the dome are all gone - I'm not sure how or why. They seem to have been painted over or something.

You can see my pics here:
http://matt.rigbye.net/Photos/tabid/176/Default.aspx?AlbumID=497-6

Gimme a yell if you have any other questions about it.

Matt

Hey I don't know if anyone's still interested, but I took some pics inside the Capitol earlier this year. The lighting is all temporary, and really poor, so most of the shot came out really bad, but you can get an idea of some of the spaces.

Inside the whole building is really run down, but still very beautiful, and has a lot of potential I think. Lots of character.

Oh and the astrological images in the dome are all gone - I'm not sure how or why. They seem to have been painted over or something.

You can see my pics here:
http://matt.rigbye.net/Photos/tabid/176/Default.aspx?AlbumID=497-6

Gimme a yell if you have any other questions about it.

Matt

Wow! Thanks for the photos! I notice it's been boarded up and painted white. What's happening to the place?

Wow! Thanks for the photos! I notice it's been boarded up and painted white. What's happening to the place?

I've been trying to find out more information about it, but it's pretty hard to come by. From what I can tell, it was managed by the STB for ages (I think since they took it back from Shaw) but was recently transferred to the URA. Not entirely sure what this means, but seem to me that it's more likely to be redeveloped. I think a few companies have looked at it, but no one can come up with a viable business model that can compete with the big chains.

I saw an article last week saying that they were looking seriously at this site and a few others as part of revising their Master Plan, but didn't really say what their intentions are. Unfortunately it looks like it'll be redeveloped, since it's such a great location.

That's mostly just speculation on my part though. I'd love to see it preserved - it's such a beautiful old building, and I'm sure there are planty of ways that it could be made profitable.

Anyway, I guess we'll see how ...

I've been trying to find out more information about it, but it's pretty hard to come by. From what I can tell, it was managed by the STB for ages (I think since they took it back from Shaw) but was recently transferred to the URA. Not entirely sure what this means, but seem to me that it's more likely to be redeveloped. I think a few companies have looked at it, but no one can come up with a viable business model that can compete with the big chains.

I saw an article last week saying that they were looking seriously at this site and a few others as part of revising their Master Plan, but didn't really say what their intentions are. Unfortunately it looks like it'll be redeveloped, since it's such a great location.

That's mostly just speculation on my part though. I'd love to see it preserved - it's such a beautiful old building, and I'm sure there are planty of ways that it could be made profitable.

Anyway, I guess we'll see how ...

I'm shocked that it's not a preserved building!

I'm shocked that it's not a preserved building!

I'm shocked that it's not a preserved building!

I thought it is?

Quote: It was listed for preservation in August 1983 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and acquired by it in 1983-1984 so that it would be preserved as part of a future development.

I'm shocked that it's not a preserved building!

I thought it is?

Quote: It was listed for preservation in August 1983 by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and acquired by it in 1983-1984 so that it would be preserved as part of a future development.

it could be made into a lush luxe theatre that's like the victoria concert hall. more classical and renaissance in terms of design. the esplanade is very modern or even make it into a cabaret kind of theatre. that could be very well.

it could be made into a lush luxe theatre that's like the victoria concert hall. more classical and renaissance in terms of design. the esplanade is very modern or even make it into a cabaret kind of theatre. that could be very well.

Just be patient, it is most likley to be preserved and become part of a new development that the URA is studying. This was posted in another article earlier. :)

Just be patient, it is most likley to be preserved and become part of a new development that the URA is studying. This was posted in another article earlier. :)

it should be restored to its former glory..

it should be restored to its former glory..

Dont be too hopeful if URA has its way.Like the 'Hybrid' condo to replace Katong bungalow style again.
:ohno:

Dont be too hopeful if URA has its way.Like the 'Hybrid' condo to replace Katong bungalow style again.
:ohno:

I'm shocked that it's not a preserved building!

I saw Capitol Theatre, Stamford Court and Capitol Building are marked as "C" in the Amendment No 35/07 to Masterplan dated 4 June. So, it's a conserved building now.

Refer to http://www.ura.gov.sg/dc/mp03/images/mp35-07.jpg

I'm shocked that it's not a preserved building!

I saw Capitol Theatre, Stamford Court and Capitol Building are marked as "C" in the Amendment No 35/07 to Masterplan dated 4 June. So, it's a conserved building now.

Refer to http://www.ura.gov.sg/dc/mp03/images/mp35-07.jpg

I saw Capitol Theatre, Stamford Court and Capitol Building are marked as "C" in the Amendment No 35/07 to Masterplan dated 4 June. So, it's a conserved building now.

Refer to http://www.ura.gov.sg/dc/mp03/images/mp35-07.jpg

Hey Hyacinthus

Thanks for the information - that's good news. I wonder if they actually have any ideas of what they're going to do with it.

Matt

I saw Capitol Theatre, Stamford Court and Capitol Building are marked as "C" in the Amendment No 35/07 to Masterplan dated 4 June. So, it's a conserved building now.

Refer to http://www.ura.gov.sg/dc/mp03/images/mp35-07.jpg

Hey Hyacinthus

Thanks for the information - that's good news. I wonder if they actually have any ideas of what they're going to do with it.

Matt

Hey Hyacinthus

Thanks for the information - that's good news. I wonder if they actually have any ideas of what they're going to do with it.

Matt

I not sure about this. :)

Hey Hyacinthus

Thanks for the information - that's good news. I wonder if they actually have any ideas of what they're going to do with it.

Matt

I not sure about this. :)

Art cinema or theatre aside, it can be merged with both the Capitol Building and the Capitol Centre next to it to become a nice big ultra-modern shopping centre cum tall hotel. The cinema hall itself could be the shopping centre and have internal retail shops but yet preserving the painting on the ceiling and the sculptures as they are. It might make more economic sense to any money-minded developers this way.

Art cinema or theatre aside, it can be merged with both the Capitol Building and the Capitol Centre next to it to become a nice big ultra-modern shopping centre cum tall hotel. The cinema hall itself could be the shopping centre and have internal retail shops but yet preserving the painting on the ceiling and the sculptures as they are. It might make more economic sense to any money-minded developers this way.

Art cinema or theatre aside, it can be merged with both the Capitol Building and the Capitol Centre next to it to become a nice big ultra-modern shopping centre cum tall hotel. The cinema hall itself could be the shopping centre and have internal retail shops but yet preserving the painting on the ceiling and the sculptures as they are. It might make more economic sense to any money-minded developers this way.

I'd be really disappointed if they did that. Personally I'd love to get it up and running as a cinema/theatre. There's no way that you could compete with the bigger chains, but if you start showing second-run or classic movies you would probably find a market. Also, it would make a really nice venue for plays and shows, maybe seminars, award ceremonies, that sort of thing, especially if it was done up really nicely. It could also be used to compliment the Esplanade for big theatre productions.

There's actually plenty of space inside the building apart from the auditorium as well, where you could put in restaurants, shops, etc. I'm sure it could be made very profitable with a more flexible approach.

Art cinema or theatre aside, it can be merged with both the Capitol Building and the Capitol Centre next to it to become a nice big ultra-modern shopping centre cum tall hotel. The cinema hall itself could be the shopping centre and have internal retail shops but yet preserving the painting on the ceiling and the sculptures as they are. It might make more economic sense to any money-minded developers this way.

I'd be really disappointed if they did that. Personally I'd love to get it up and running as a cinema/theatre. There's no way that you could compete with the bigger chains, but if you start showing second-run or classic movies you would probably find a market. Also, it would make a really nice venue for plays and shows, maybe seminars, award ceremonies, that sort of thing, especially if it was done up really nicely. It could also be used to compliment the Esplanade for big theatre productions.

There's actually plenty of space inside the building apart from the auditorium as well, where you could put in restaurants, shops, etc. I'm sure it could be made very profitable with a more flexible approach.

Some pics of Capitol Building, which occupied a very prominent street frontage. It could be used to front part of a larger development that incorporates the old Capitol Cinema behind.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/capitol2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/capitol.jpg

Some pics of Capitol Building, which occupied a very prominent street frontage. It could be used to front part of a larger development that incorporates the old Capitol Cinema behind.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/capitol2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/capitol.jpg

Any news on the fate of the capitol theatre?

Any news on the fate of the capitol theatre?

Capitol Theatre slated for redevelopment

3 Apr 07

URA plans makeover for theatre and adjoining Capitol Building and Stamford House

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20080402/ST_IMAGES_XYHOUSE-Q5P.jpg

CAPITOL Theatre, the 79-year-old building which screened its last movie in 1998, will be redeveloped along with its adjoining buildings - Stamford House, Capitol Building and Capitol Centre - next year.
Close to 90 per cent of tenants will be moving out by May next year. 'We will inform the tenants of the need to move and work with them once the timing and details for the development of the site are finalised,' said a spokesman for the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which oversees the current tenants of these buildings.

The buildings will be tendered out as a single integrated site, encompassing an area of about 1.45ha, an Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) spokesman told The Straits Times.

The timing and details of the tender are being studied but heritage buffs need not fear that a piece of Singapore history will be erased from the landscape.

Three of these buildings have been gazetted for conservation, which means, among other things, that their facades must be maintained.

Stamford House, built in 1904, is the oldest of the three buildings. Capitol Theatre was built in 1929, and Capitol Building, previously known as Shaw Building, in 1933.

Asked why it was being redeveloped, the URA spokesman said that the area, between Hill Street and North Bridge Road along Stamford Road, has not 'fully maximised its development potential'.

The four buildings have a total of 250 tenants, including offices and retail outlets.

The area has also drawn a cluster of boutiques run by home-grown designers such as Ms Celia Loe and Ms Baylene Li in recent years.

Most are loath to move from their spacious premises set in a piquant environment, especially given the relatively low rents set by the SLA.

Fashion designer Kevin Seah, 33, whose eponymous boutique has been in Stamford House for the past year, said: 'It's my dream place for a boutique since I decided to become a fashion designer at age 15. I love the classic architecture.'

He is paying about $5 per sq ft for his store now, and expects to pay up to 10 times more if he relocates to a mall.

Another boutique owner, Mr Nicholas Wong, 35, said the area attracts a good mix of locals and tourists, who are drawn by the cluster of local labels.

'I think shopping here is quite a different experience from going to a typical mall. I hope Singapore's shopping scene won't be just all malls.'

Property analysts reckon that the bigger developers would be keen to bid for the site. Likely bid prices are difficult to gauge as this would depend on the duration of the lease and conditions of development imposed by the authorities.

Mr Nicholas Mak, director of research and consultancy at Knight Frank, liked the idea of having one developer to give the area a special feel, 'instead of many different entities doing a more rojak kind of development with no coherent theme'.

'But it also means that the whole development will either succeed or fail together. It's putting all your eggs into one basket.'

But it may well be easier for a single developer to make the long-vacant Capitol Theatre a lively place again, he added.

Once owned by a Persian family and later Shaw Cinema, it was acquired by the URA in 1987. In 2000, the Singapore Tourism Board took over the building to explore alternative uses for it, but plans to turn it into a home for an arts group did not bear fruit.

'Capitol Theatre wasn't built as a cineplex, so it may need surrounding restaurants and retail outlets to draw crowds and generate revenue,' said Mr Mak.


By Hong Xinyi

Capitol Theatre slated for redevelopment

3 Apr 07

URA plans makeover for theatre and adjoining Capitol Building and Stamford House

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20080402/ST_IMAGES_XYHOUSE-Q5P.jpg

CAPITOL Theatre, the 79-year-old building which screened its last movie in 1998, will be redeveloped along with its adjoining buildings - Stamford House, Capitol Building and Capitol Centre - next year.
Close to 90 per cent of tenants will be moving out by May next year. 'We will inform the tenants of the need to move and work with them once the timing and details for the development of the site are finalised,' said a spokesman for the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which oversees the current tenants of these buildings.

The buildings will be tendered out as a single integrated site, encompassing an area of about 1.45ha, an Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) spokesman told The Straits Times.

The timing and details of the tender are being studied but heritage buffs need not fear that a piece of Singapore history will be erased from the landscape.

Three of these buildings have been gazetted for conservation, which means, among other things, that their facades must be maintained.

Stamford House, built in 1904, is the oldest of the three buildings. Capitol Theatre was built in 1929, and Capitol Building, previously known as Shaw Building, in 1933.

Asked why it was being redeveloped, the URA spokesman said that the area, between Hill Street and North Bridge Road along Stamford Road, has not 'fully maximised its development potential'.

The four buildings have a total of 250 tenants, including offices and retail outlets.

The area has also drawn a cluster of boutiques run by home-grown designers such as Ms Celia Loe and Ms Baylene Li in recent years.

Most are loath to move from their spacious premises set in a piquant environment, especially given the relatively low rents set by the SLA.

Fashion designer Kevin Seah, 33, whose eponymous boutique has been in Stamford House for the past year, said: 'It's my dream place for a boutique since I decided to become a fashion designer at age 15. I love the classic architecture.'

He is paying about $5 per sq ft for his store now, and expects to pay up to 10 times more if he relocates to a mall.

Another boutique owner, Mr Nicholas Wong, 35, said the area attracts a good mix of locals and tourists, who are drawn by the cluster of local labels.

'I think shopping here is quite a different experience from going to a typical mall. I hope Singapore's shopping scene won't be just all malls.'

Property analysts reckon that the bigger developers would be keen to bid for the site. Likely bid prices are difficult to gauge as this would depend on the duration of the lease and conditions of development imposed by the authorities.

Mr Nicholas Mak, director of research and consultancy at Knight Frank, liked the idea of having one developer to give the area a special feel, 'instead of many different entities doing a more rojak kind of development with no coherent theme'.

'But it also means that the whole development will either succeed or fail together. It's putting all your eggs into one basket.'

But it may well be easier for a single developer to make the long-vacant Capitol Theatre a lively place again, he added.

Once owned by a Persian family and later Shaw Cinema, it was acquired by the URA in 1987. In 2000, the Singapore Tourism Board took over the building to explore alternative uses for it, but plans to turn it into a home for an arts group did not bear fruit.

'Capitol Theatre wasn't built as a cineplex, so it may need surrounding restaurants and retail outlets to draw crowds and generate revenue,' said Mr Mak.


By Hong Xinyi

Hmm....actually it could kick start another round of redevelopment for the city hall area also.....:yes: Places like capitol centre, peninsula plaza and adelphi is really quick old...:yes:

Hmm....actually it could kick start another round of redevelopment for the city hall area also.....:yes: Places like capitol centre, peninsula plaza and adelphi is really quick old...:yes:

Hmm....actually it could kick start another round of redevelopment for the city hall area also.....:yes: Places like capitol centre, peninsula plaza and adelphi is really quick old...:yes:

Not sure about Peninsula Plaza, cos they may have built up to the allowed GFA, but the old lowrise building like Capitol Centre needs a total redevelopment. I thought there were plans to redevelop Adelphi???

The colonial buildings are grand, and with the new project can actually boost the image of the area...especially since its so near 'grand' buildings like the Supreme Court/City Hall (future Art Gallery) and St Andrews cathedral...will give a more consistent identity to the area......

that whole stretch all the way to Peninsula Hotel is a bit shabby at the moment and looking dirty:bash:

Hmm....actually it could kick start another round of redevelopment for the city hall area also.....:yes: Places like capitol centre, peninsula plaza and adelphi is really quick old...:yes:

Not sure about Peninsula Plaza, cos they may have built up to the allowed GFA, but the old lowrise building like Capitol Centre needs a total redevelopment. I thought there were plans to redevelop Adelphi???

The colonial buildings are grand, and with the new project can actually boost the image of the area...especially since its so near 'grand' buildings like the Supreme Court/City Hall (future Art Gallery) and St Andrews cathedral...will give a more consistent identity to the area......

that whole stretch all the way to Peninsula Hotel is a bit shabby at the moment and looking dirty:bash:

Yeah.....they need to turn Peninsula into something more impressive...:lol:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/ylstan04/Fort%20Canning%20plus%20Evening/DSC_0184.jpg

Yeah.....they need to turn Peninsula into something more impressive...:lol:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/ylstan04/Fort%20Canning%20plus%20Evening/DSC_0184.jpg

Peninsula Plaza actually has a rather unique design and I quite like it. It should be refurbished like International Plaza but its facade kept intact.

Peninsula Plaza actually has a rather unique design and I quite like it. It should be refurbished like International Plaza but its facade kept intact.

I don't think Peninsula Plaza is a particular priority in that area, it can certainly last a few more years before it needs refurbishment (in fact I actually quite like the 1970s decor in the shopping mall, it feels retro). My opinion is that when the time comes to do something with it, they should refurish it not demolish and build new. It's quite a landmark and an interesting design. The lower rise buildings nearby are more of a priority as far as I'm concerned, and of the highrise buildings nearby I think the two towers of the Peninsula Hotel are by far the ugliest!

http://images.worldres.com/property/a24000/24227/hotel.jpg http://e.yimg.com/tr.us.o.yimg.com/imgs/4/447285/447285_EXT_01_J.jpg

I don't think Peninsula Plaza is a particular priority in that area, it can certainly last a few more years before it needs refurbishment (in fact I actually quite like the 1970s decor in the shopping mall, it feels retro). My opinion is that when the time comes to do something with it, they should refurish it not demolish and build new. It's quite a landmark and an interesting design. The lower rise buildings nearby are more of a priority as far as I'm concerned, and of the highrise buildings nearby I think the two towers of the Peninsula Hotel are by far the ugliest!

http://images.worldres.com/property/a24000/24227/hotel.jpg http://e.yimg.com/tr.us.o.yimg.com/imgs/4/447285/447285_EXT_01_J.jpg

The conserved Capitol Building & Capitol Theatre behind it:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/capitol3.jpg

The Capitol Centre which is also part of the redevelopment plan
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/capitol2.jpg

The conserved Capitol Building & Capitol Theatre behind it:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/capitol3.jpg

The Capitol Centre which is also part of the redevelopment plan
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/capitol2.jpg

Who's the owner of the 3 Capitol buildings now?

Who's the owner of the 3 Capitol buildings now?

State owned

State owned

Capitol Centre too? It's really a misfit, its ugly... and i hope it can be redeveloped soon

Capitol Centre too? It's really a misfit, its ugly... and i hope it can be redeveloped soon

The easy plan might be:-

1. Demolish Capitol centre and construct two 50th story green buildings for mixed hotel and office development.
R. To be commercial viable.

2. Convert Capitol building into another Robinsons or Tangs
R. To attract shopping crowd

3. Convert Capitol Theatre into a large Irish pub with live band and giant screen for screening of live football EPL/ Spanish Primera Lige football matches
R. To attract night owls, Ang Mo and local that like to "chiong" all night without have to sleep.

4. Convert Stamford building into multi storeys fine dining restaurant with cultural performance for our 4 major race.
R. People will need to eat before continue their "chiong" or shopping

5. Close the current road between Capitol building and centre and build a new road into the underground carpark at the new twin towers.
R. Can shop or chiong safely, only need to look for beautiful girls without have to worry of cars hitting you from behind. :lol::lol:

6. Build Air-con walkway to link up all the buildings (similar as Bugis Junction)
R. Beat the hot weather. Can dress up like Superman or captain underpants for shopping if you want :lol::lol:

Perfect plan or not ? :lol::lol:

The easy plan might be:-

1. Demolish Capitol centre and construct two 50th story green buildings for mixed hotel and office development.
R. To be commercial viable.

2. Convert Capitol building into another Robinsons or Tangs
R. To attract shopping crowd

3. Convert Capitol Theatre into a large Irish pub with live band and giant screen for screening of live football EPL/ Spanish Primera Lige football matches
R. To attract night owls, Ang Mo and local that like to "chiong" all night without have to sleep.

4. Convert Stamford building into multi storeys fine dining restaurant with cultural performance for our 4 major race.
R. People will need to eat before continue their "chiong" or shopping

5. Close the current road between Capitol building and centre and build a new road into the underground carpark at the new twin towers.
R. Can shop or chiong safely, only need to look for beautiful girls without have to worry of cars hitting you from behind. :lol::lol:

6. Build Air-con walkway to link up all the buildings (similar as Bugis Junction)
R. Beat the hot weather. Can dress up like Superman or captain underpants for shopping if you want :lol::lol:

Perfect plan or not ? :lol::lol:

Yeah, I agree that the stretch from left of SMRT HQ all the way to MICA should be redeveloped, not just Capitol Theatre...

I have a feeling it's gonna be another South Beach kinda thing... The office/hotel towers over where Capitol Centre is now and the commercial over the Capitol Theatre area...

But whatever it is, I think an underground pass from City Hall MRT is long overdue.... Good if it links all the way to Adelphi or the new Supreme Court area...

Yeah, I agree that the stretch from left of SMRT HQ all the way to MICA should be redeveloped, not just Capitol Theatre...

I have a feeling it's gonna be another South Beach kinda thing... The office/hotel towers over where Capitol Centre is now and the commercial over the Capitol Theatre area...

But whatever it is, I think an underground pass from City Hall MRT is long overdue.... Good if it links all the way to Adelphi or the new Supreme Court area...

Personally feel that the SMRT HQ's choice of location does nothing to contribute to the vibrancy of such a prime spot in town...as per the article below:

Unwanted child of S'pore conservation?

20 Apr 08

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20080419/ST_IMAGES_WFSUN20_8.jpg

For too long, the once-lovely Capitol Theatre has stood forlorn and forgotten, the unwanted child of Singapore conservation.

Newspaper reports once held out hope of it being transformed into a performing arts centre for musicals, plays and ballets.

That, alas, was in January 1996.

Even then, the report quoted government officials as saying that the plans were 'still being studied'.

Never mind that the site had been earmarked for development in 1984, and acquired by the state in 1987, nearly a decade earlier.

More delays followed. In 1998, Capitol screened its last movie and the cinema was shut down amid much sadness and hopeful talk of plans to put it to better use.

The project was handed over to the Singapore Tourism Board to pursue in 2000. But in 2006, it decided not to proceed and handed it back to the Singapore Land Authority. Last year, it was finally declared a conservation area.

Sadly, over the years, nobody seemed either to own the project or to care all that much about it.

So, pardon me, but I could not help being more than a little sceptical when I read a report earlier this month which talked of fresh plans for the Capitol Theatre and the structures around it - Capitol Building, Capitol Centre and Stamford House.

The report raised as many questions as it answered: Just what do the authorities now envisage for the site, which they say will be sold as an 'integrated one' next year? So far, officials have said only that the area has not been 'fully maximised to its development potential' - indeed! - and the 'timing and details' of their plans 'are being finalised'.

Why has it taken decades for any progress to be made on conserving this area? What is the cost of leaving Capitol idle all these years, allowing it to crumble away to a dusty death? And just who will ensure that the plans are realised this time?

These are legitimate questions, not least since the buildings concerned are very much part of Singapore's architectural heritage.

Capitol Theatre turns 80 next year. The neo-classical style building was built in 1929 by M.A. Namazie, an early Singapore pioneer of Persian origin. The accompanying four-storey building, where the popular Magnolia Snack Bar once stood, was completed in 1933 and called the Namazie Mansions back then.

The cinema was Singapore's very first, where the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks performed to promote their silent movies. In the 1960s, the Capitol hosted variety shows featuring performers like Sakura Teng and Rita Chao.

The adjacent Stamford House has an even longer history. It was designed for commercial use in 1904 by R.A.J. Bidwell, the man behind other outstanding buildings such as the Raffles Hotel and Goodwood Park Hotel.

Few seem to recall the furious debate that broke out in 1991 over whether Stamford House should be saved instead of Eu Court, built in the 1930s, across the street.

Then National Development minister S. Dhanabalan declared that Stamford House would be preserved as it had a 'more outstanding architectural style'.

I was prepared then to give the minister the benefit of the doubt, and wait to see if the ramshackle Stamford House of those days would indeed be transformed into the conservation gem he envisioned.

So, when the Victorian facade of the building was unveiled three years and $13 million later, I had to concede that it did look splendid, as the minister had said.

But sadly, it never quite lived up to his promise of becoming 'an active and successful commercial centre', given its motley collection of furniture shops, galleries and eateries, several of which came and went.

The wider issue here is this: Just how does Singapore go about conserving its architectural heritage, saving grand old buildings and giving new life to them?

Of course, given the space constraints on this tiny island, I have never believed in keeping buildings as museum pieces, or standing in the way of development.

But, in these days of globalisation and rapid change, a sense of place and continuity is needed if Singaporeans are to remain rooted to this country.

Indeed, at the moment, Singapore is undergoing another spurt of redevelopment. Just as in the 1980s and 1990s, when familiar sites like the modest C.K. Tang store or the huge open field where Ngee Ann City now stands gave way to skyscrapers, the Ion Orchard and Orchard Central are rising rapidly from the ground in Orchard Road. These, and the redevelopment of the Asia Hotel site in Scotts Road, as well as the new St Regis Hotel in Tanglin Road are transforming the face of the downtown area as we know it.

So how to ensure continuity in the face of such change?

Well, to be fair, there have been quite a few success stories in conservation over the years, such as the Fullerton Hotel, Raffles Hotel, the National Museum, the old Parliament House, and the old St Joseph's Institution building.

In these cases, the buildings' structures were painstakingly conserved, even as their interiors were retrofitted to allow for new uses, commercial or otherwise. Sure, the purists moaned, but the conservation purpose was served.

There have been some bad misses too. Orchard cinema and the National Library were both razed to the ground despite fervent public protests.

Or ponder this: Just what is the difference between the ghastly named Orchard Cineleisure and the supposedly conserved Cathay building?

Precious little, actually. The former was built after tearing the old cinema down completely, while the latter was simply erected around a sliver of the facade of what was Singapore's first skyscraper, as a sop to the conservationist lobby.

Clearly, there are lessons to be learnt from these hits and misses over the decades to help ensure that the re-development of the Capitol area turns out right.

To do so, the authorities need to:


Spell out their Capitol conservation plans in much greater detail.
While they are at it, they should consider redeveloping the SMRT HQ building across the street. Why a public transport operator needs such a large prime site, all walled up and uninviting, has always been a mystery to me.

There is much potential to liven up the entire area on both sides of Stamford Road, with an array of streetwalk dining, retail and entertainment options.


Engage the public, both to get ideas and foster a sense of ownership of this historic district.
Surely, Singaporeans should not wait until plans are announced to demolish an old building before taking an interest? Nor should they be left to bemoan conservation efforts gone awry after the fact.


Announce a timeline to make clear how and when the authorities will ensure that the area's 'development potential is fully maximised', at long last.
It would be a pity if Singaporeans have to wait another decade to read the next report on new plans 'being studied' for Capitol.


By Warren Fernandez, Deputy Editor

Personally feel that the SMRT HQ's choice of location does nothing to contribute to the vibrancy of such a prime spot in town...as per the article below:

Unwanted child of S'pore conservation?

20 Apr 08

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20080419/ST_IMAGES_WFSUN20_8.jpg

For too long, the once-lovely Capitol Theatre has stood forlorn and forgotten, the unwanted child of Singapore conservation.

Newspaper reports once held out hope of it being transformed into a performing arts centre for musicals, plays and ballets.

That, alas, was in January 1996.

Even then, the report quoted government officials as saying that the plans were 'still being studied'.

Never mind that the site had been earmarked for development in 1984, and acquired by the state in 1987, nearly a decade earlier.

More delays followed. In 1998, Capitol screened its last movie and the cinema was shut down amid much sadness and hopeful talk of plans to put it to better use.

The project was handed over to the Singapore Tourism Board to pursue in 2000. But in 2006, it decided not to proceed and handed it back to the Singapore Land Authority. Last year, it was finally declared a conservation area.

Sadly, over the years, nobody seemed either to own the project or to care all that much about it.

So, pardon me, but I could not help being more than a little sceptical when I read a report earlier this month which talked of fresh plans for the Capitol Theatre and the structures around it - Capitol Building, Capitol Centre and Stamford House.

The report raised as many questions as it answered: Just what do the authorities now envisage for the site, which they say will be sold as an 'integrated one' next year? So far, officials have said only that the area has not been 'fully maximised to its development potential' - indeed! - and the 'timing and details' of their plans 'are being finalised'.

Why has it taken decades for any progress to be made on conserving this area? What is the cost of leaving Capitol idle all these years, allowing it to crumble away to a dusty death? And just who will ensure that the plans are realised this time?

These are legitimate questions, not least since the buildings concerned are very much part of Singapore's architectural heritage.

Capitol Theatre turns 80 next year. The neo-classical style building was built in 1929 by M.A. Namazie, an early Singapore pioneer of Persian origin. The accompanying four-storey building, where the popular Magnolia Snack Bar once stood, was completed in 1933 and called the Namazie Mansions back then.

The cinema was Singapore's very first, where the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks performed to promote their silent movies. In the 1960s, the Capitol hosted variety shows featuring performers like Sakura Teng and Rita Chao.

The adjacent Stamford House has an even longer history. It was designed for commercial use in 1904 by R.A.J. Bidwell, the man behind other outstanding buildings such as the Raffles Hotel and Goodwood Park Hotel.

Few seem to recall the furious debate that broke out in 1991 over whether Stamford House should be saved instead of Eu Court, built in the 1930s, across the street.

Then National Development minister S. Dhanabalan declared that Stamford House would be preserved as it had a 'more outstanding architectural style'.

I was prepared then to give the minister the benefit of the doubt, and wait to see if the ramshackle Stamford House of those days would indeed be transformed into the conservation gem he envisioned.

So, when the Victorian facade of the building was unveiled three years and $13 million later, I had to concede that it did look splendid, as the minister had said.

But sadly, it never quite lived up to his promise of becoming 'an active and successful commercial centre', given its motley collection of furniture shops, galleries and eateries, several of which came and went.

The wider issue here is this: Just how does Singapore go about conserving its architectural heritage, saving grand old buildings and giving new life to them?

Of course, given the space constraints on this tiny island, I have never believed in keeping buildings as museum pieces, or standing in the way of development.

But, in these days of globalisation and rapid change, a sense of place and continuity is needed if Singaporeans are to remain rooted to this country.

Indeed, at the moment, Singapore is undergoing another spurt of redevelopment. Just as in the 1980s and 1990s, when familiar sites like the modest C.K. Tang store or the huge open field where Ngee Ann City now stands gave way to skyscrapers, the Ion Orchard and Orchard Central are rising rapidly from the ground in Orchard Road. These, and the redevelopment of the Asia Hotel site in Scotts Road, as well as the new St Regis Hotel in Tanglin Road are transforming the face of the downtown area as we know it.

So how to ensure continuity in the face of such change?

Well, to be fair, there have been quite a few success stories in conservation over the years, such as the Fullerton Hotel, Raffles Hotel, the National Museum, the old Parliament House, and the old St Joseph's Institution building.

In these cases, the buildings' structures were painstakingly conserved, even as their interiors were retrofitted to allow for new uses, commercial or otherwise. Sure, the purists moaned, but the conservation purpose was served.

There have been some bad misses too. Orchard cinema and the National Library were both razed to the ground despite fervent public protests.

Or ponder this: Just what is the difference between the ghastly named Orchard Cineleisure and the supposedly conserved Cathay building?

Precious little, actually. The former was built after tearing the old cinema down completely, while the latter was simply erected around a sliver of the facade of what was Singapore's first skyscraper, as a sop to the conservationist lobby.

Clearly, there are lessons to be learnt from these hits and misses over the decades to help ensure that the re-development of the Capitol area turns out right.

To do so, the authorities need to:


Spell out their Capitol conservation plans in much greater detail.
While they are at it, they should consider redeveloping the SMRT HQ building across the street. Why a public transport operator needs such a large prime site, all walled up and uninviting, has always been a mystery to me.

There is much potential to liven up the entire area on both sides of Stamford Road, with an array of streetwalk dining, retail and entertainment options.


Engage the public, both to get ideas and foster a sense of ownership of this historic district.
Surely, Singaporeans should not wait until plans are announced to demolish an old building before taking an interest? Nor should they be left to bemoan conservation efforts gone awry after the fact.


Announce a timeline to make clear how and when the authorities will ensure that the area's 'development potential is fully maximised', at long last.
It would be a pity if Singaporeans have to wait another decade to read the next report on new plans 'being studied' for Capitol.


By Warren Fernandez, Deputy Editor

SMRT should move out. Anyway the old convent shouldn't had been (partially) demolished for it. I used to pass by there everyday and the building is very dead and cold. The signs which say "no loitering" and the high security and the unwelcoming image... The place should been put to better use.

SMRT should move out. Anyway the old convent shouldn't had been (partially) demolished for it. I used to pass by there everyday and the building is very dead and cold. The signs which say "no loitering" and the high security and the unwelcoming image... The place should been put to better use.

Agree...this building is a weak link...the only good thing is that it provides a generous sidewalk, which is very quiet all the time.

Since it would be a waste of funds to redevelop the building, it could at least allow other usages, as well as outdoor activities on the sidewalk to enliven the streetscape. More pedestrians will also be able to soak in the view of Stamford House & Capitol Building from across the street.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/stamfordgreen.jpg

Agree...this building is a weak link...the only good thing is that it provides a generous sidewalk, which is very quiet all the time.

Since it would be a waste of funds to redevelop the building, it could at least allow other usages, as well as outdoor activities on the sidewalk to enliven the streetscape. More pedestrians will also be able to soak in the view of Stamford House & Capitol Building from across the street.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/rotpics03/stamfordgreen.jpg

Yup, the building is like a black hole in the urban fabric, something so cold, in an otherwise 'lively' and historic area. The best way to introduce life into an area would be to open up shops on the round level. Or maybe have a covered walkway on the walkway (Stamford Canal is below).

There's a historic building within the SMRT grounds, was once part of the convent and housed St Nicholas Girls' Sch I think.

The design is so "postmodern neo classicism" cliche, like Stamford Court and the Sg Recreation Club. One way would be to reclad it, but that would bring no financial benefit to the tenant, SMRT. I might suggest to make the building more "open", and less cold.

The best way would be to move SMRT away and build something to compliment CHIJMES.

Yup, the building is like a black hole in the urban fabric, something so cold, in an otherwise 'lively' and historic area. The best way to introduce life into an area would be to open up shops on the round level. Or maybe have a covered walkway on the walkway (Stamford Canal is below).

There's a historic building within the SMRT grounds, was once part of the convent and housed St Nicholas Girls' Sch I think.

The design is so "postmodern neo classicism" cliche, like Stamford Court and the Sg Recreation Club. One way would be to reclad it, but that would bring no financial benefit to the tenant, SMRT. I might suggest to make the building more "open", and less cold.

The best way would be to move SMRT away and build something to compliment CHIJMES.

I looked at the Masterplan and part of the site is zoned Utility. Part is zoned Commercial.

Maybe there is sensitive equipment there. But if not, maybe the Govt may wanna cash in on this property. And yes, there is an old building within its grounds hidden from view.

I looked at the Masterplan and part of the site is zoned Utility. Part is zoned Commercial.

Maybe there is sensitive equipment there. But if not, maybe the Govt may wanna cash in on this property. And yes, there is an old building within its grounds hidden from view.

The suckiest thing is that I heard somewhere that SMRT HQ sits on very, very 'sensitive' land because of the tunnels that are directly under the building and something else...

If not, the SMRT we know and love to hate would have sold the HQ site for lots of money and moved to Bishan Depot or something...

The suckiest thing is that I heard somewhere that SMRT HQ sits on very, very 'sensitive' land because of the tunnels that are directly under the building and something else...

If not, the SMRT we know and love to hate would have sold the HQ site for lots of money and moved to Bishan Depot or something...

The suckiest thing is that I heard somewhere that SMRT HQ sits on very, very 'sensitive' land because of the tunnels that are directly under the building and something else...

If not, the SMRT we know and love to hate would have sold the HQ site for lots of money and moved to Bishan Depot or something...

whats wrong with selling off the building? u mean SMRT is protecting the site?

as long as it is not sold to some drilling machine warehouse company i think it should be ok rite? what can a harmless bar do to a sensitive tunnel below?:nuts:

The suckiest thing is that I heard somewhere that SMRT HQ sits on very, very 'sensitive' land because of the tunnels that are directly under the building and something else...

If not, the SMRT we know and love to hate would have sold the HQ site for lots of money and moved to Bishan Depot or something...

whats wrong with selling off the building? u mean SMRT is protecting the site?

as long as it is not sold to some drilling machine warehouse company i think it should be ok rite? what can a harmless bar do to a sensitive tunnel below?:nuts:

I'm not going to give misleading info... But there's a reason one...

I'm not going to give misleading info... But there's a reason one...

This pic by redstone does indeed show the security. I was once asked not to take pictures. Actually I wanted a pic of Swissotel. Anyway you can see the old St Nicholas School.

http://img49.exs.cx/img49/8535/c001re.jpg

This pic by redstone does indeed show the security. I was once asked not to take pictures. Actually I wanted a pic of Swissotel. Anyway you can see the old St Nicholas School.

http://img49.exs.cx/img49/8535/c001re.jpg

I've always been intrigued by SMRT HQ... also the Telecom building at Hill Street. So mysterious and high security

I've always been intrigued by SMRT HQ... also the Telecom building at Hill Street. So mysterious and high security

Apart from the MRT tunnels (which could easily be built around), surely any 'sensitive' use could be moved to another site, to a more appropriate location for such a thing. It seems silly to me for SMRT not to want to make the most of the prime real estate that their headquarters sits on.

Apart from the MRT tunnels (which could easily be built around), surely any 'sensitive' use could be moved to another site, to a more appropriate location for such a thing. It seems silly to me for SMRT not to want to make the most of the prime real estate that their headquarters sits on.

Plans for its restoration have been released:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2008/pr08-62.html

"The 1.45-ha North Bridge Road / Stamford Road site comprises the existing Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building, Stamford House and Capitol Centre. Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and Stamford House have been gazetted for conservation. The sale of the site will facilitate the restoration of the conserved buildings and add vibrancy to the area through the introduction of new entertainment, retail and hotel uses. The successful tenderer will have the flexibility to demolish Capitol Centre and erect new buildings on the site. A minimum quantum for hotel use will be stipulated for the site to meet the demand for hotel rooms. More details will be announced when the site is released for sale in December 2008."

Plans for its restoration have been released:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2008/pr08-62.html

"The 1.45-ha North Bridge Road / Stamford Road site comprises the existing Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building, Stamford House and Capitol Centre. Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and Stamford House have been gazetted for conservation. The sale of the site will facilitate the restoration of the conserved buildings and add vibrancy to the area through the introduction of new entertainment, retail and hotel uses. The successful tenderer will have the flexibility to demolish Capitol Centre and erect new buildings on the site. A minimum quantum for hotel use will be stipulated for the site to meet the demand for hotel rooms. More details will be announced when the site is released for sale in December 2008."

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :banana:

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :banana:

Yes finally we can hope for something, and for haters of the ugly Capitol Centre...its days are numbered :happy:

Yes finally we can hope for something, and for haters of the ugly Capitol Centre...its days are numbered :happy:

I believe Capitol Theatre and the Tanjong Pagar Station are the last 2 large colonial buildings untouched by makeovers.

I would love to see it as an "arts hotel", with the cinema behind operating as an artshouse cinema.

I believe Capitol Theatre and the Tanjong Pagar Station are the last 2 large colonial buildings untouched by makeovers.

I would love to see it as an "arts hotel", with the cinema behind operating as an artshouse cinema.

I'd like something tall to replace Capitol Centre, and a proper underground link to City Hall station from this new development. That Capitol/Peninsula/Funan section desperately needs a link to City Hall station to combat the adverse weather conditions...

I'd like something tall to replace Capitol Centre, and a proper underground link to City Hall station from this new development. That Capitol/Peninsula/Funan section desperately needs a link to City Hall station to combat the adverse weather conditions...

Capitol site and two new growth areas up for sale

20 June 08

By Joyce Teo, Property Correspondent

THE iconic Capitol Theatre, Singapore's first cinema, and nearby century-old Stamford House finally have a chance for a new lease of life.
The Government yesterday announced that it will sell the huge 1.45ha prime site housing these historic buildings in December. Any development must include a hotel.

It is also offering developers the first sites in the new growth areas of Jurong and Kallang as part of its half-yearly release of land for sale.

Altogether, 40 sites across Singapore will be offered in the second half of this year.

The North Bridge Road plot featuring the Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building, Stamford House and Capitol Centre is one of eight confirmed sites.

That means these sites go on sale while the rest, on a reserve list, do so subject to pre-sale interest from developers.


The Ministry of National Development said in a statement yesterday: 'The sale of the site will facilitate the restoration of the conserved buildings and add vibrancy to the area through the introduction of new entertainment, retail and hotel uses.'

The successful developer may demolish Capitol Centre but will have to keep the other three, which have all been gazetted for conservation.

The neo-classical-style Stamford House, boasting the same designer as Raffles Hotel, was built in 1904; Capitol Theatre in 1929; and Capitol Building, previously known as Shaw Building, in 1933.

As well as being Singapore's first cinema, the Capitol Theatre featured top-line cabaret performances over the years and was even a food depot in World War II.

The four buildings currently have about 250 retail and office tenants, most of whom will move out by next May.

The site, which can accommodate 600 hotel rooms, is arguably the choicest of those on offer, but the conservation requirements could lift costs, consultants said.

'Although this site may attract keen competition, the higher risk associated with undertaking such conservation projects may affect the tender bids,' said Colliers International's director of research and advisory Tay Huey Ying.

In line with recently announced plans to transform the Jurong Lake District and the Kallang Riverside, the Government is offering sites in these areas.

In Jurong East, it will release a new site in November to help kick-start the development of the commercial hub at Jurong Gateway.

A hotel site at Kallang River with a beachfront location will also be offered. Both are on the reserve list.

One unusual site is a confirmed hotel plot at Bukit Chermin Road, which comprises four black-and- white bungalows set in hilly terrain.

Property consultants highlighted the smaller number of confirmed sites, particularly residential ones.

There are 32 reserve-list sites and eight confirmed ones, compared with 26 reserve and 11 confirmed sites in the first half.

'This system would be preferred by developers as it would give a more accurate gauge of what true demand is,' said Jones Lang LaSalle's managing director (South-east Asia) Chris Fossick.

Capitol site and two new growth areas up for sale

20 June 08

By Joyce Teo, Property Correspondent

THE iconic Capitol Theatre, Singapore's first cinema, and nearby century-old Stamford House finally have a chance for a new lease of life.
The Government yesterday announced that it will sell the huge 1.45ha prime site housing these historic buildings in December. Any development must include a hotel.

It is also offering developers the first sites in the new growth areas of Jurong and Kallang as part of its half-yearly release of land for sale.

Altogether, 40 sites across Singapore will be offered in the second half of this year.

The North Bridge Road plot featuring the Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building, Stamford House and Capitol Centre is one of eight confirmed sites.

That means these sites go on sale while the rest, on a reserve list, do so subject to pre-sale interest from developers.


The Ministry of National Development said in a statement yesterday: 'The sale of the site will facilitate the restoration of the conserved buildings and add vibrancy to the area through the introduction of new entertainment, retail and hotel uses.'

The successful developer may demolish Capitol Centre but will have to keep the other three, which have all been gazetted for conservation.

The neo-classical-style Stamford House, boasting the same designer as Raffles Hotel, was built in 1904; Capitol Theatre in 1929; and Capitol Building, previously known as Shaw Building, in 1933.

As well as being Singapore's first cinema, the Capitol Theatre featured top-line cabaret performances over the years and was even a food depot in World War II.

The four buildings currently have about 250 retail and office tenants, most of whom will move out by next May.

The site, which can accommodate 600 hotel rooms, is arguably the choicest of those on offer, but the conservation requirements could lift costs, consultants said.

'Although this site may attract keen competition, the higher risk associated with undertaking such conservation projects may affect the tender bids,' said Colliers International's director of research and advisory Tay Huey Ying.

In line with recently announced plans to transform the Jurong Lake District and the Kallang Riverside, the Government is offering sites in these areas.

In Jurong East, it will release a new site in November to help kick-start the development of the commercial hub at Jurong Gateway.

A hotel site at Kallang River with a beachfront location will also be offered. Both are on the reserve list.

One unusual site is a confirmed hotel plot at Bukit Chermin Road, which comprises four black-and- white bungalows set in hilly terrain.

Property consultants highlighted the smaller number of confirmed sites, particularly residential ones.

There are 32 reserve-list sites and eight confirmed ones, compared with 26 reserve and 11 confirmed sites in the first half.

'This system would be preferred by developers as it would give a more accurate gauge of what true demand is,' said Jones Lang LaSalle's managing director (South-east Asia) Chris Fossick.

It's not a good idea to commercialise every single heritage building. In the USA, some buildings have individual not for profit bodies taking care of it. The building would open as a museum about itself.

It's not a good idea to commercialise every single heritage building. In the USA, some buildings have individual not for profit bodies taking care of it. The building would open as a museum about itself.

The site will now be taken off the Confirmed List and put on the Reserve List, and will now be on sale only if any developer is willing to come forth:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2008/pr08-109.html

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/capitol-1.jpg


Might be good news for existing tenants.

The site will now be taken off the Confirmed List and put on the Reserve List, and will now be on sale only if any developer is willing to come forth:

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2008/pr08-109.html

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/capitol-1.jpg


Might be good news for existing tenants.

URA announces the release of the sale site at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road on the reserve list

18 Dec 08

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) today released the detailed sales conditions for the Reserve List commercial site at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road and announced the deferment of the release of the hotel site at Kallang River.



Land Parcel at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road



The 1.46 ha Land Parcel located at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road is now available for sale on the Reserve List of the second half 2008 Government Land Sale (GLS) Programme.



The Land Parcel is prominently located fronting the key road junction at Stamford Road and North Bridge Road. Occupying a prime location in the heart of the city, the site is also strategically located along the commercial and mixed use corridor at North Bridge Road that extends through the Civic District. This corridor plays a vital role in providing a critical mass of retail, commercial and hotel uses that inject vibrancy into the area.



The Land Parcel also contains a cluster of three historically and architecturally significant buildings – Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and Stamford House – that are to be retained and restored for adaptive reuse. The Capitol Theatre, which was a purpose-built performance facility, is required to be restored into an arts or entertainment-related performance venue. The integration of a performance venue within the development will enhance the vibrancy and attractiveness of the project and strengthen the arts and cultural positioning for the Civic District and the nearby Bras Basah.Bugis area.



There are existing hotels such as Swissotel The Stamford, The Fairmount, Grand Plaza Park Hotel and Peninsula·Excelsior Hotel located in the vicinity. As such, development on the Land Parcel is to include a hotel component which will synergise with the existing hotels to strengthen the hotel cluster in the area.



In line with this objective, the developer of the Stamford Road / North Bridge Road site will be required to develop a minimum of 40% of the total gross floor area (GFA) for hotel use. The remaining GFA can be for more hotel use or other commercial uses such as retail, food & beverage, entertainment and other uses to add to the diversity of amenities and vibrancy of the surrounding area.



With a maximum permissible gross floor area of 51,359 sqm, the Land Parcel thus offers a unique opportunity to create a distinctive development that features a mix of conservation and new buildings. The vision is also for the Land Parcel to be developed into a high quality development that will contribute positively to the built environment and the lifestyle and entertainment offerings within the city. Please see Annex A -1 for an artist impression.



Concept and Price Revenue Tender System



In line with the vision to create a distinctive development that commensurates with the strategic location of the site, a Concept and Price revenue tender system will be adopted to evaluate the tenders for the site.



Under this system, tenderers are required to submit their concept proposals and tender prices in two separate envelopes. The concept proposals will be first evaluated against a set of criteria which include overall development concept and composition of uses as specified in the tender (as shown in Annex A-2). Only tenders that meet the criteria will be considered for award. At the second stage, the price envelopes of the proposals with acceptable concepts will be opened for consideration. The site will then be awarded to the tender with the highest price bid among those with acceptable concept proposals.



Sale via the Reserve List System



The Land Parcel at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road is a complex sale site that involves the restoration and adaptive reuse of three conservation buildings as well as a Concept and Price Revenue tender approach. As such, the site is released for sale through the Reserve List to provide potential investors more time to study the site and its detailed tender requirements.



The Reserve list is a market-led system whereby the government will only release a site for sale if an interested party submits an application with a minimum price that is acceptable to the government. As such, by placing the Stamford Road / North Bridge Road site on the Reserve List, potential investors will have more time to assess and respond to the current dynamic economic situation, and consider triggering the site for sale when the time is right.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/Stamford/MA/intro(MA).jpg

URA announces the release of the sale site at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road on the reserve list

18 Dec 08

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) today released the detailed sales conditions for the Reserve List commercial site at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road and announced the deferment of the release of the hotel site at Kallang River.



Land Parcel at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road



The 1.46 ha Land Parcel located at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road is now available for sale on the Reserve List of the second half 2008 Government Land Sale (GLS) Programme.



The Land Parcel is prominently located fronting the key road junction at Stamford Road and North Bridge Road. Occupying a prime location in the heart of the city, the site is also strategically located along the commercial and mixed use corridor at North Bridge Road that extends through the Civic District. This corridor plays a vital role in providing a critical mass of retail, commercial and hotel uses that inject vibrancy into the area.



The Land Parcel also contains a cluster of three historically and architecturally significant buildings – Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and Stamford House – that are to be retained and restored for adaptive reuse. The Capitol Theatre, which was a purpose-built performance facility, is required to be restored into an arts or entertainment-related performance venue. The integration of a performance venue within the development will enhance the vibrancy and attractiveness of the project and strengthen the arts and cultural positioning for the Civic District and the nearby Bras Basah.Bugis area.



There are existing hotels such as Swissotel The Stamford, The Fairmount, Grand Plaza Park Hotel and Peninsula·Excelsior Hotel located in the vicinity. As such, development on the Land Parcel is to include a hotel component which will synergise with the existing hotels to strengthen the hotel cluster in the area.



In line with this objective, the developer of the Stamford Road / North Bridge Road site will be required to develop a minimum of 40% of the total gross floor area (GFA) for hotel use. The remaining GFA can be for more hotel use or other commercial uses such as retail, food & beverage, entertainment and other uses to add to the diversity of amenities and vibrancy of the surrounding area.



With a maximum permissible gross floor area of 51,359 sqm, the Land Parcel thus offers a unique opportunity to create a distinctive development that features a mix of conservation and new buildings. The vision is also for the Land Parcel to be developed into a high quality development that will contribute positively to the built environment and the lifestyle and entertainment offerings within the city. Please see Annex A -1 for an artist impression.



Concept and Price Revenue Tender System



In line with the vision to create a distinctive development that commensurates with the strategic location of the site, a Concept and Price revenue tender system will be adopted to evaluate the tenders for the site.



Under this system, tenderers are required to submit their concept proposals and tender prices in two separate envelopes. The concept proposals will be first evaluated against a set of criteria which include overall development concept and composition of uses as specified in the tender (as shown in Annex A-2). Only tenders that meet the criteria will be considered for award. At the second stage, the price envelopes of the proposals with acceptable concepts will be opened for consideration. The site will then be awarded to the tender with the highest price bid among those with acceptable concept proposals.



Sale via the Reserve List System



The Land Parcel at Stamford Road / North Bridge Road is a complex sale site that involves the restoration and adaptive reuse of three conservation buildings as well as a Concept and Price Revenue tender approach. As such, the site is released for sale through the Reserve List to provide potential investors more time to study the site and its detailed tender requirements.



The Reserve list is a market-led system whereby the government will only release a site for sale if an interested party submits an application with a minimum price that is acceptable to the government. As such, by placing the Stamford Road / North Bridge Road site on the Reserve List, potential investors will have more time to assess and respond to the current dynamic economic situation, and consider triggering the site for sale when the time is right.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/Stamford/MA/intro(MA).jpg

Planned with a direct underground pedestrian connection below North Bridge Road to the adjacent City Hall MRT Interchange Station, the development will have direct and seamless access to the rail network as well as to the underground pedestrian network connecting to the nearby Marina Centre area and The Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay.

Served directly by major arterial roads within the city, the development is within easy reach of other key districts within the city, such as the Central Business District, Marina Bay and the internationally-renowned shopping, dining and entertainment belt along Orchard Road.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/Stamford/imagesothers/Illustive-plan.gif

Possible artist impression
http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/Stamford/imagesothers/perspective.jpg

Planned with a direct underground pedestrian connection below North Bridge Road to the adjacent City Hall MRT Interchange Station, the development will have direct and seamless access to the rail network as well as to the underground pedestrian network connecting to the nearby Marina Centre area and The Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay.

Served directly by major arterial roads within the city, the development is within easy reach of other key districts within the city, such as the Central Business District, Marina Bay and the internationally-renowned shopping, dining and entertainment belt along Orchard Road.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/Stamford/imagesothers/Illustive-plan.gif

Possible artist impression
http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/Stamford/imagesothers/perspective.jpg

No need to bid, just give it to Capitaland, that's the one that can afford now...also synergy with Raffles City at CityHall..... :lol:

How nice would it be if they actually restored Capitol Theatre by turning it into a.... theatre.

It could be a cinema or a stage for live performances although I believe the former would bring in more cash. We could have our own version of the Kodak Theatre or the Disney Theatre in Los Angeles...

Also, I hope that in the underground link to City Hall station, that they consider enlarging the station's ticket concourse. That place is getting abit too crowded, even on normal days.

lol, it reminds me of RADIOCITY in new york...

that'll be so cool.

y onli capitaland can afford now lei??

wow, seems like a promising development!

Sounds exciting. Maybe they should move SMRT out of their bldg across the street to somewhere else. It's pretty much dead there.

Sounds exciting. Maybe they should move SMRT out of their bldg across the street to somewhere else. It's pretty much dead there.

I agree on that, SMRT should move to a higher ground building and uses that space for something else. Those are just offices anyway, not a depot.

By the way the artist impression impressioin is bad. Is there a hight limit imposed anyway ?? Or a design restriction?

Rebuild the rest of the old convent.

Yea, theres a height limit over that site, so as no to overpower Capitol.

They should really take into consideration the style or model of Kodak theatre. It is a mall, a world class 136000 sqm theatre as well as it is beside a well known hotel. Doesn't that ring like the proposal. We could have our own oscars...http://bp0.blogger.com/_65jZImxNIfY/R8QlAuX89vI/AAAAAAAABog/-Z9mRqkIr-g/s400/Kodak+theatre.jpg
Of course, we should not have our hopês fly to high, remember what happened once. It could happen again. ( they had a proposal once )

Maybe they should have MGM or WYNN to set up there.....

I think SMRT should move their headquarters to Jurong East or one of the other regional centres and sell the site for redevelopment. It would really help to enliven the area.

Is the Capitol Theatre conserved?

thats an awesome idea

the civic city hall area is really in need of pedestrian buzz! a kodak theatre situation would be PERFECT.

the streets behind the supreme court seem to have the scale of bustling new york city streets that should be filled with tourists, shoppers and visitors.

a red carpet could then be laid over the road in front of the supreme court leading to the kodak theatre - so stars can be photographed against the skyline - PERFECT

we'll have the mtv ASIA awards, golden horse, golden melody, even the star awards - which has always needed a more glamorous red carpet

The Peninsular buildings need to shed their current image.

Peninsula Building need an extreme makeover inside and outside

Pen. Plaza, Pen. / Excelsior hotels are all so retro.

Retro is cool. Those buildings should not be demolished. Imagine the whole area in modern towers like dubai, the energy will be there but not the charm. Imagine, New York, Shanghai, Paris, London, Tokyo with their futuristic building and retro, baroque, art-deco neighbours............ they create a certain cultural aura.

^^ Exactly. Peninsula-Excelsior should be preserved. They add really a lot of atmosphere to the City Hall, together with low-key shopping malls like Peninsula Plaza.

Beside, I stayed there on my first trip to Singapore.. If they let it go.. :(

I feel Singapore isn't a nation which really bothers in terms of architectural conservation beyond the colonial era.

Anyway, I don't think Peninsula/Excelsior will be touched soon. Somehow, the government has laid hands off Little Manila (Lucky Plaza), Little Thailand (Golden Mile) and Little Burma (Peninsula). :)

i think singapore is one of the best preserved modern cities in the world; its just unfortunate we don't have more heritage than from 1800s.

ura is already taking care of those 70s buildings it can conserve. n is awarding icon status to important NEW buildings being built. no other city is that careful with its architectural heritage i think.

i really feel like we just don't have the architecture yet.

Yup. Maybe we just don't have enough of those type of buildings.

But on Peninsula/Excelsior, it is showing its age and I think it could do with a little sprucing up. It doesn't need to be major but some minor touches to keep it modern yet retaining its own unique character.

However, I think something needs to be done to SMRT's headquarters and CHIJMES to fully connect the Civic and Bugis areas together. The only problem I think there might be is the land underneath that is where the EWL and NSL tracks come together but I'm sure that problem can be overcome.

I like the retro shopping mall in Peninsula, if they leave it alone for a few more years and don't modernise it, I'm certain it'll wind up being conserved. I personally wich they had left Raffles City shopping mall with its original interior. From the pics I've seen it was a bit of a modernist classic, and I like that bridge across the middle of the atrium. The post modern style interior there is now is ok, but in my opinion nothing special.

^^ What bridge across the atrium?

There used to be a bridge across the atrium, as in the original design by Pei Cobb Fried. But it was removed.. And now theres a new structure wtih shops inside the atrium, to me it spoils the intention of having an atrium.

Oh. That bridge. Oh. Because Andrew had mentioned it as if it was still there.

Well, I guess functionality rules over aesthetics.

But on Peninsula/Excelsior, it is showing its age and I think it could do with a little sprucing up. It doesn't need to be major but some minor touches to keep it modern yet retaining its own unique character.


The Peninsula Hotel recently spruced up its facade or had a reclad. Not sure if that extended to the interior. In any case that area now has a definite Burmese flavour to it, but the argument in favour of keeping Peninsula Plaza is from an architectural viewpoint. I think its quite unique.

Is the Capitol Theatre conserved?

Yes, and also the 2 colonial buildings beside it.

Start-ups feel at home in Stamford House

29 Jul 09

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090729/b3-1.jpg

STAMFORD House might as well bill itself as The Entrepreneur Mall now.

About half of the 51 units in the historic three-storey building are rented to first-time business owners, drawn there by the low rents and short-term leases.

Last month, a company importing organic cosmetics set up its first retail store in the block; this weekend, a 20-year-old entrepreneur will debut her concept store, where members have the right to pick from a range of free product samples.

The block made its name as a 'go to' place for furniture in the late 1990s, with big tenants like Picket & Rail and Pennsylvania House.

But they started moving out because of low traffic arising from a lack of publicity, and a high tenant turnover due to the short-term leases. A clutch of local designers moved in next, only to start leaving for similar reasons.

Stamford House's short-term leases last up to a year, instead of the market practice of two or three years with a high chance of renewal thrown in, said Mr Colin Tan, director of research and consultancy at real estate consultancy Chesterton Suntec International.

The leases are short because the building is on the Reserve List of the Government Land Sales Programme, and could be redeveloped the moment a developer offers the minimum bid.

Mr Tan said few established retailers would accept such short leases; they do not find it worth their while to renovate the premises for only a short stay.

It is thus no surprise that the building has become popular with start-ups looking to fine-tune their businesses.

'It is located in the heart of town, with relatively low rents,' he said. 'The more start-ups keep costs down, the longer they will survive. This is critical in the first few years.'

He noted that rents at Stamford House are half, or even less than half, those in nearby malls like Raffles City.

The low rent and the short lease attracted Ms Elfanie Tan, who pays $7 per sq ft to run Fr3b, the concept store which will give away free product samples to its registered members. She said: 'The building has the feel of a hotel and rent is low. It made it possible to start. If the rent were higher, I might have been too scared to take it up.'

For home-grown designer Jo Soh, 33, a month's lease was enough time to find out how her creations under the Hansel label would fare in the market.

Now thinking of opening her first permanent store, she said: 'The response at Stamford was good. Now we know opening a store is an option.'

The Singapore Land Authority, the building's landlord, said the high tenant turnover has not dampened occupancy, now at more than 90 per cent.

Its spokesman said: 'We do not limit the trades allowed or specially source for tenants of a particular trade. The current trade mix evolved on its own based on market demand and supply.'

Some current tenants are, however, disgruntled with Stamford House's lack of identity. Make-up Forever manager Alicia Chong said of the short leases: 'I've put off renovating for many years. The landlord keeps saying rents might not be renewed, but then they are. It's frustrating not knowing what will happen next.'

http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_409419.html

ChannelNewsAsia.com - 13 Jan 10

An underground pedestrian walkway will link City Hall MRT station to the future development at the Capitol Theatre site, on the other side of North Bridge Road. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the underground link will be constructed by the developer of the site, as part of the site tender requirements under the Government Land Sales Programme. From the Capitol Theatre site, pedestrians will be able to use the existing network of covered walkways to reach the other buildings in the area.

Along North Bridge Road, the Land Transport Authority is also building a covered linkway to provide a sheltered connection from City Hall MRT Station to the two bus stops along North Bridge Road adjacent to St. Andrew's Cathedral.

Mr Mah said the Urban Redevelopment Authority will look into ways to expand the network of underground pedestrian links in the locality to connect more buildings seamlessly to the City Hall MRT Station. He said Singapore has been planned as a pedestrian-friendly city, with an extensive network of covered and underground walkways.

The Minister was replying to a parliamentary question from Nominated MP Teo Siong Seng.

Whoever win is equivalent to striking Gold



URA to launch commercial site at Stamford Road, North Bridge Road



SINGAPORE: The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said a developer has committed to bidding at least S$100 million for a land parcel at the corner of Stamford Road and North Bridge Road.

The site, which has a 99-year lease, includes three historical buildings - the Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and Stamford House.

The site has been on the reserve list since 2008 and is expected to be launched for sale by tender in two weeks.

There will be some conditions for the successful bidder.

The bidder will have to retain and restore the buildings for adaptive reuse, and must also set aside 25 per cent of the total gross floor area for hotel use.

The land parcel has an area of about 1.43 hectares and will be sold together with a subterranean parcel that connects City Hall MRT and the CityLink Mall with Marina Centre.

URA said a concept and price revenue tender system will be adopted to choose the winning bidder.

Consultants CB Richard Ellis said it expects the site to fetch bids of between S$400 and S$500 per square foot, based on the maximum permissible gross floor area.

This will translate to an estimated bid of between S$220 million and S$270 million

I guess FEO kicks start this ?

Sand IR and Circle lines kicking in this month, so this land is GOLD now !

Potential bidder, winners - FEO or Capitaland.

FEO will like it as similar conservation hotel, f&b concept like Fullerton and Clifford Pier...

Capitaland will want to connect this to RafflesCity !

I do hope they retain capitol theatre into a theatre and not a cinema cum shopping centre..

Likely bidders:- Capitaland, Far East (may be sister company:- Sinoland HK), Park Hotel HK, Shaw organisation (historical link)

Unlikely : CityDev (now handful with South Beach project)

Definitely:- Win (Govt get at least$220m) - Win (Developer strikes gold) - Win (Old beauties get new lease of Life) - Win (Country as a whole) situation.




由于首都戏院等地段采用“双信封”制度，而且又有许多限制，市场人士一般相信，最终进场的发展商人数应该不多。

　　他们虽然对这几栋历史性建筑物终于找到“归宿”感到高兴，不过一些人也对这幅地段被“勾”出的时机有点意外。

　　资深房地产顾问麦俊荣说：“这幅地段的限制相当多，并不是最容易发展的一幅地段。”

　　戴德梁行研究部主管蔡楚芬也相信，最终出手的发展商不会太多，因为发展商必须同时具备发展和管理购物商场和酒店的经验，而且还必须有能力处理建筑物的修葺、保留和其他问题。

　　因具备上述条件而被点名可能出手的发展商，包括：嘉德置地、远东机构、城市发展、香港的百乐酒店集团。

　　邵氏机构近年鲜少在投标会上露面，不过由于首都戏院以前是邵氏机构的物业，直到1987年才被政府征用，所以市场人士也不排除它因为“历史情愫”而出手的可能性。

　　昨天受访的市场人士认为，这幅地段的标价可能会出现相当大的差距，这主要看发展商能够多有效地使用现有的建筑物。另外一个变数也在于它们如何估计修葺费用，由于首都戏院被丢空多年，内部的损害程度难以估计。

　　不过，世邦魏理仕执行董事李晓和猜测，如果这个历史性地标建筑物以购物商店为主，那么土地价格可能介于每平方英尺400元至500元，这意味最终的投标价格可能介于2亿2000万元至2亿7000万元。“在双信封制度下产生的，很可能是一个有趣的综合性项目，集购物商场、休闲娱乐，以及酒店因素与一体。”

首都戏院的历史
首都戏院是由富商纳马兹(Namazie)在1929年兴建的，原本用来经营歌舞厅，后来才在1946年转为放映电影。1987年，政府征用首都戏院，作“市区重建”用途，不过却迟迟没有展开任何重建工作，反而将它以短期租约租回给邵氏机构经营戏院，一直到11年后，也就是1998年12月29日首都戏院放映了最后一场电影后才正式落幕。
　　随后，旅游局建议将这栋建筑物用来作为长期的艺术表演场地，以推动艺术旅游业，它在2000年受委管理这栋建筑物，为期10年。不过，它在接手首都戏院后，才发现装修费高达950万元，比原本估计的350万元高出许多，所以不得不放弃计划，并于2002年3月尝试将戏院还给土管局。

　　不过，由于租约未到，土管局一直到2007年5月，才正式接手这栋建筑物。首都戏院被丢空多年，引来审计长的炮轰，指旅游局在管理首都戏院的七年内，花了151万元来展开可行性研究及维修照料。但这还不包括过去10年来流失的租金收入，据估计，每年的“择机代价”超过28万元，10年就是280万元。

　　2008年6月，国家发展部宣布将首都戏院和毗邻的首都大厦等“捆绑”在一起，重新发展为综合项目，并计划于当年12月推出市场招标。不料，由于市道迅速陷入不景气，政府于该年12月将该地段被拨回备售名单，一直到现在才终于被发展商“勾”了出来

I do hope they retain capitol theatre into a theatre and not a cinema cum shopping centre..
The City Hall area IMHO, NEEDS a cinema... I think if Raffles City somehow had a cinema in addition to what it has, and will have, it'd be perfect.

But I agree, it would be great if they could retain the theatre, perhaps to supplement the Esplanade, MBS and RWS theatres.

There is a Cinema in the Marina Square (Golden Village), Suntec City (Engwah), Picturehouse (Cathay), Bugis Junction (Shaw) and Iluma (Avantgarde). These are all around the raffles city area. What is lack are cinema in the CBD area, cause the only ones there are the adult oriented cinema in old and dilapidated rooms.

There is a Cinema in the Marina Square (Golden Village), Suntec City (Engwah), Picturehouse (Cathay), Bugis Junction (Shaw) and Iluma (Avantgarde). These are all around the raffles city area. What is lack are cinema in the CBD area, cause the only ones there are adult oriented cinema in old and dilapidated rooms.

The entire area - Marina Centre and Bugis are still part of CBD. I assume u mean the Raffles Place - Shenton Way - Tanjong Pagar.

They would eventually build cinema someday...

You mean Pearl centre ? That is Outrum. I believe the cinema already closed....no more RA show posters hanging up there anymore.

What is lack are cinema in the CBD area, cause the only ones there are the adult oriented cinema in old and dilapidated rooms.

The entire area - Marina Centre and Bugis are still part of CBD. I assume u mean the Raffles Place - Shenton Way - Tanjong Pagar.

They would eventually build cinema someday...

No developer will want a cinema at Capitol theatre, the return is simply too low.
Will probably get a KTV, huge PUB or even a night club.

14 bids received for commercial site at Stamford Rd/North Bridge Rd




SINGAPORE : The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has received a total of 14 bids for the closely-watched commercial site at Stamford Road and North Bridge Road.

Many bidders have submitted multiple concept proposals for the 1.43-hectare site.

Among them, Perennial Trust, Real Estate and Chesham Properties jointly put in two bids, while Far East Organization submitted three.

Wing Tai Group also submitted two bids for the for the 99-year-leasehold site.

URA said the bids received will be evaluated via a concept and price tender system.

This means it will first evaluate the concept proposals. And among those with acceptable concepts, the URA will award the tender to the highest bidder.

The price must also meet the government's minimum reserves price of S$100 million.

The site is slated for commercial use with a hotel component and a maximum permissible gross floor area of 50,389 square metres.

Of that space, a minimum of 25 per cent is to be set aside for hotel use.

URA said that the award of the tender will be announced on a later date

PARTICULARS OF TENDERS SUBMITTED FOR COMMERCIAL LAND PARCEL AT STAMFORD
ROAD/ NORTH BRIDGE ROAD

DATE TENDER CLOSED : 18 Aug 2010
S/N NAME OF TENDERER

1 CAPITOL RETAIL MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD. (as trustee-manager of CAPITOL RETAIL
TRUST), CAPITOL HOTEL MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD. (as trustee-manager of CAPITOL
HOTEL TRUST) & CAPITOL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PTE. LTD.

2 CAPITOL RETAIL MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD. (as trustee-manager of CAPITOL RETAIL
TRUST), CAPITOL HOTEL MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD. (as trustee-manager of CAPITOL
HOTEL TRUST)

3 FCCNET PTE LTD & FICA NOMINEES PTE LTD

4 FUSION TRUSTEE PTE. LTD. (in its capacity as trustee of FUSION HOTEL TRUST) &
FUSION TRUSTEE PTE. LTD. (in its capacity as trustee of FUSION MALL TRUST)

5 GRAND PLAZA PARK PROPERTY PTE LTD

6 ORCHARD MALL PTE. LTD.**

7 ORCHARD MALL PTE. LTD.**

8 ORCHARD MALL PTE. LTD.**

9 SIN HENG CHAN (1960) PTE LTD, STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS PTE. LTD. & TAKENAKA
SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.

10 UNITED ENGINEERS DEVELOPMENTS PTE LTD

11 VALPARAISO SINGAPORE PTE LTD, YIELDSTAR SINGAPORE PTE LTD & MEGA FIELD
SINGAPORE PTE LTD

12 WINTIME INVESTMENT PTE. LTD., WINSHOW INVESTMENT PTE. LTD. & WINGROWTH
INVESTMENT PTE. LTD.*

13 WINTIME INVESTMENT PTE. LTD., WINSHOW INVESTMENT PTE. LTD. & WINGROWTH
INVESTMENT PTE. LTD.*

14 YTL LAND & DEVELOPMENT BHD

* Tenderer has submitted two separate tenders with different concept proposals, and each with the requisite
tender documents and tender deposit.
** Tenderer has submitted three separate tenders with different concept proposals, and each with the requisite
tender documents and tender deposit.

^^So when will we know the results?

^^So when will we know the results?


Presentation to Concept Evaluation Committee (CEC) will be held on
23 / 24 Sept 2010

Guess the winner will be annouced in Nov 2010.

Below is the pre-tender presentation by URA:-

http://www.ura.gov.sg/sales/Stamford/Launch/Capitol_Briefing%20to%20Tenderers_20100520.pdf

Any renderings on all of the design submitted? If only the public have a say in the renderings submitted..

Far East has the deepest pocket, aggressive in bidding and have the best track records in restoring old beauties (Fullerton Heritage, Clifford Pier and Fullerton Hotel)

They are best company for this job & should win.

This new capitol development is identical to Fullerton Heritage development.

i didnt see gaw investment in the list, apparently herzog de meuron was engaged by them to take part in this bid as well...

Another shot at glory for Capitol site
Winning group plans to build iconic hotel, theatre, retail and residential development at landmark site



(SINGAPORE) The landmark site that includes Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and Stamford House is ready for a makeover. It has been awarded to a partnership comprising a syndicate of investors arranged by Pua Seck Guan's Perennial Real Estate, Kwee Liong Seen's Chesham Properties, and Sukmawati Widjaja's Top Global group for $250 million or $460.93 per square foot per plot ratio.




The winning bid was the highest price offered among three tenderers whose concept proposals were shortlisted from the initial list of 14 submitted to the Urban Redevelopment Authority on Aug 18.

The group that won the tender is expected to invest about $700 million in total (including land price) to transform the site into an iconic hotel, theatre, retail and residential development. The group is allocating about half of the 542,382 sq ft maximum gross floor area to retail and entertainment use, with 25 per cent each for hotel and residential use.

'The project, including the hotel, will retain the name Capitol, as it has a lot of history and can rival The Raffles Hotel,' said Perennial CEO Mr Pua. 'We intend to restore the glory of Capitol - a brand name familiar to many Singaporeans. Historically, the location was famous for Capitol Theatre; but there was also a vibrant retail trade along High Street and there were city apartments.'

US-based architectural firm Richard Meier & Partners will work with Architects 61 of Singapore to design the project.

Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and Stamford House will be conserved and restored while Capitol Centre will be torn down to make way for a new 15-storey building that will also have four basements. Basements 3 and 4 will be for car parking while Basements 2 to Level 2 will be for retail. Above that will be about 80 apartments of about 1,066 sq ft to 2,368 sq ft, which will be sold to help part finance the development.

A five-star hotel with over 200 rooms will be housed on the second to fourth levels of the four-storey Capitol Building and Stamford House.

Capitol Theatre will be transformed into a single-screen cinema with the largest seating capacity in Singapore (some 800 to 1,000 seats) to be operated by Golden Village for most of the year. The building will also alternate as a performance venue for in-residence theatre groups for the rest of the time.

It will be a choice venue for red carpet movie premiers and film festivals.

There will be concept retail stores for international brands on the ground level of Capitol Building while the ground level of Stamford House will feature signature restaurants related to the hotel operator.

The existing street between Capitol Theatre and Stamford House/Capitol Building will be transformed into a pedestrianised, glass-covered galleria lined with F&B outlets. The galleria and the sheltered civic plaza will provide pedestrian connectivity throughout the Capitol site and with the surroundings. There will be an underground link to City Hall MRT Station

'We've some names in mind for the hotel operator. Our partners also own hotels managed by external parties,' Mr Pua said, referring to Mr Kwee, who is one of the four brothers who control the Pontiac Group in Singapore, which owns luxury hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, and The Regent Singapore.

Ms Widjaja, sister of tycoon Oei Hong Leong, also owns hotels in Indonesia and China.

'We intend to complete the project in about three to four years,' Mr Pua said. URA has given the group up to eight years to complete the project.

URA said that the concept proposal from the successful tenderer offers a high quality development with an attractive mix of uses and 'befitting of its prominent location within the Civic District and its rich architectural heritage'.

Under the dual-envelope tender system for the sale of this site, the 14 tenderers were required to submit their concept proposals and tender prices in two separate envelopes. At the first stage, only the concept proposals were evaluated against a set of pre-stated criteria. Those who met the mark proceeded to the second stage, where the price envelopes of the short-listed bidders were opened and the site awarded to the tenderer with the highest bid price among them.

The other two short-listed tenderers were CapitaMalls Asia and its parent CapitaLand (with a bid of $238.2 million) and a consortium that included private equity group GAW Capital Partners ($130.1 million).

BT understands that the winning bid of $250 million was not the highest price among the 14 submissions.

The top price offer is believed to have crossed the $400 million mark and market watchers say the scheme would probably have involved a more substantial residential component for sale

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/local/picturepopup/0,4661,151813-260000,00.html?

great project, so it will be a golden v cinema, and a 5 star hotel operator yet to be confirmed.

Hopefully, they will preserve not just the exterior, but the Capitol Building and Stamford House interior as well. Also hope the new and old design can blend well!

I also hope for more makeovers in the area, like the peninsular hotel and plaza etc. :cheers:

Cool project, I was hoping for something taller, but this should fit well.

IMO, the area next to St Andrew's Cathedral deserves a revamp. The pavement on the sidewalk outside the MRT entrance is terrible and the place right across the street from Swissotel just doesn't feel like a city center. A small square or a proper park would make a massive difference.

I like that they've kept the theatre as a theatre but beyond that, it looks boring... and honestly, was there a need for a residential building?

I like that they've kept the theatre as a theatre but beyond that, it looks boring... and honestly, was there a need for a residential building?

There are many restrictions if you see what they can do in terms of design, height and usage of the area. Thanks to the URA. Anyway, its great that they make it as a single screen theatre that not only does cinema but also red carpet events and theatre. Its time to bring it back to its glory days. The interior is worth keeping as it is more beautiful that the interior of Raffles theatre.
The residential building only raises the capital of the company. I would guess that it would served more like a service apartment that is being co-joined by the hotel. Such as the Ritz residence and st regis residence. With Richard Meir as the Architect, we can expect more clean line with the likes of Camden Medical Centre. Great usage of space and simple colours. Although, if we look at his project, there is not much conservation that is being done. So in my own opinion, it will be a challenge for him. The rederings in Business Times looks great, the open plaza and a linkage direct to the other end of Stamford Road, MPH building.... Lets just cross for more good news..

now the place full of FW. where will they go?? :(

Press release (http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/2011/pr11-15a.pdf) issued by the developers, and available on URA website.

Capitol Site – Singapore’s Heritage Lifestyle Precinct in the Civic and Cultural District in the Making

Singapore, 1 February 2011 –

Singapore’s Civic and Cultural District will soon see a new landmark that will not only anchor the area with its unique offerings, but drastically change the landscape with its timeless and outstanding architecture. The Capitol Site (“Capitol”) Building Agreement was signed today between the Government of Singapore and the consortium of partners comprising Chesham Properties Pte. Ltd., Perennial Real Estate Pte. Ltd. and Top Global Limited. Earlier on 27 October 2010, the tender of Capitol was awarded to the consortium of partners at a price of S$250.0 million under the Concept and Price Revenue Tender system, first on the basis of concept followed by price, so as to meet the high standards expected in terms of use, concept, quality of architecture, and sensitive adaptive reuse of the conserved buildings.

The Capitol, strategically sited at the junction of Stamford Road and North Bridge Road and comprising Capitol Theatre, Stamford House, Capitol Building and Capitol Centre, will collectively be re-energised, adapted and conserved to become a part of Singapore’s heritage. The event was graced by Mr Ng Lang, Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and attended by over 100 guests including government officials, arts and theatre groups, media community, consultants and business associates.

Under the proposed redevelopment plans, Capitol Building and Stamford House will be restored into a new luxury hotel with approximately 200 rooms. Capitol Centre will be demolished and in its place, a new 15 storey ultra-luxurious residential podium set atop a four storey shopping mall will be constructed. The former Capitol Theatre will also be refurbished and transformed into Singapore’s largest single screen seating with approximately 800 seats. Furthermore, the addition of a public plaza, which will provide a great sheltered outdoor living room for the community, is expected to become the platform for social bonding and creative spaces for the public at large. Together, they will form a juxtaposition of conserved and new buildings that will link the past and the present through an artful integration of memories and modernity, to create an iconic development that will articulate and celebrate the Singapore spirit.

The entire Capitol project is expected to complete in the third and fourth quarter of 2014 with a total investment sum of S$750.0 million (including the tender price of S$250.0 million).

Said Mr Michael Palladino of Richard Meier & Partners Architects, the appointed architect for this project, “This is an opportunity for us to create a unique civic centre that will reflect the city’s past through the existing historic structures and celebrate the future with new and contemporary additions that reflect the craft and technology of our time.”


Hotel Component

A luxurious boutique hotel will sit atop the ground level shop fronts of Stamford House and Capitol Building. Facilities will include private lounges, bar and dining restaurant as well as a ballroom.

As Mr Kwee Liong Seen, Director of Chesham Properties Pte Ltd, puts it, “The history and character of the buildings provide an opportunity to create a unique luxury hotel. Because it is only 200 rooms, guests will experience a high level of customised service. The architectural features of the buildings, its high ceiling, beautiful interior details, together with all the modern amenities, will create a strong sense of place that is Singapore.”


Retail Component


A myriad of street level specialty retail stores and a selection of top notch Food and Beverage (“F&B”) choices are expected to line the street fronts and sheltered pedestrianised Galleria. In addition, the new four storey retail podium beneath the residential units, aims to provide a diverse selection of international and local retail mix. A new subterranean pedestrian mall at basement two will link the entire development to the City Hall Mass Rapid Transit (“MRT”) station, creating a network of sheltered public circulation links amidst the various components.


Capitol Theatre

This will be one of the largest single-screen cinemas in Singapore with approximately 800 seats. Ground level access will enable the hosting of a wide array of activities from first run screenings, to red carpet movie premieres, to in-house theatre and dance productions. Capitol Theatre is expected to dedicate half the season to hosting some local in-house theatre and dance groups, with Golden Village as the cinema operator utilising the theatre for the remaining half. A total of six dance and theatre companies have been identified and we are working in partnership with them to present a primarily Singaporean and Asian repertoire.

Said Mr Pua Seck Guan, Chief Executive Officer of Perennial Real Estate Pte. Ltd., “The Capitol Site provides an exclusive opportunity for us to create a distinctive product which will appeal to both locals and tourists. We aim to move away from the ubiquitous global mall landscape and expect to offer approximately eight flagship retail stores and 30 F&B stores, and at least 40.0% new to market brands. With its excellent location set right in the heart of the city, good connectivity to one of Singapore’s busiest MRT interchange stations, highly visible street store frontage, myriad of retail, F&B and entertainment choices, coupled with the presence of the Capitol Theatre, we have the potential to present an interesting and vibrant lifestyle, retail and entertainment precinct situated within a deep historical and cultural setting.”


Residential Component


Rising above the historic architecture of the surrounds is the 15-storey residential podium. The ultra-luxe units located within this integrated development boasts remarkable views of the Marina Bay area and beyond, as well as a Residents’ Garden on level three that will feature facilities including a clubhouse and swimming pool that will form part and parcel of the city-resort lifestyle. Flanking the residential podium are buildings steeped in civic, culture and tradition; the St Andrews Cathedral, the restored Capitol Building and Stamford House all make for an interesting yet convenient lifestyle and entertainment concept. The residential units are expected to range from 1,200 to over 2,000 square feet, with designer fittings and lavish interior design to complement.

Mr Hano Maeloa, Chief Executive Officer of Top Global Limited further expounds, “Special care was taken during the architectural planning stage to ensure that each and every unit within the development enjoys an unobstructed view of the surrounds. Upper levels promise spectacular views of the Marina Bay area and beyond as well as excellent frontal views of the historical and cultural buildings in the vicinity. With its proximity to the interchange train station, and the retail mall, theatre and hotel just at your doorstep, we are looking forward to create a truly distinctive lifestyle and entertainment destination for the discerning.”


Sustainability Strategy

In line with the Singapore Government’s push for sustainable buildings, many state-of-the art features are being incorporated as part of a comprehensive sustainable strategy for Capitol. Photovoltiacs for energy production and integrated sun control systems are built into the glass canopy above the Galleria, whilst shade sails suspended below the glass roof manages the solar heat. Day-lighting and natural ventilation will also form an integral part of this sustainable approach for the entire development.

In our efforts to bring a new breath of life and energy into this arts and cultural district, the design of the new Capitol aims to engage the historic architecture with a new architectural focal point, providing an attractive destination for both “stay” and “play”.

Source:http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_630620.html

Feb 1, 2011
Capitol Theatre to get $750m makeover
By Esther Teo

A RESTORATION that will reflect both the new and the old will see the Capitol site restored to its former glory as further details of the site's redevelopment was unveiled on Tuesday.

The $750 million makeover - inclusive of land cost - of the well-loved Capitol site will see at least $30 million dedicated to the conservation of Capitol Theatre.

The winning consortium - led by Mr Pua Seck Guan's Perennial Real Estate together with Top Global and Mr Kwee Liong Seen's Chesham Properties - also revealed more details of the site's various components at the building agreement signing ceremony on Tuesday.

A 15-storey development with shops, eateries and apartments will rise above the site's conservation heritage buildings - Stamford House, Capitol Building and Capitol Theatre - while Capitol Centre will be demolished. In the place of Capitol Centre, a new 15-storey luxury residential podium will be set atop a four storey shopping mall.

These homes are expected to go for between $2,500 to $3,000 per sq ft (psf), although Top Global's chief executive Hano Maeloa said that depending on prevailing market conditions, a higher price bracket might be targeted.

He revealed, however, that the initial target price was in the $3,000 psf to $3,500 psf range until the recent Jan 13 property cooling measures led the firm to take a more conservative stance.

^^ Saw it in the news. It looks like quite nice. Hopefully, the buildings nearby would also upgrade its exterior. :)

^^ Saw it on the news too. I agree looks really nice.

We also have a thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=369235&page=6) on that project in the Heritage Buildings forum. Which one shall we use for the follow-up ?

^^ I would think we should follow this thread since the site is undergoing redevelopment.:)

I love URA's idea of creating a plaza at the corner of Capitol Theatre, hence making it more visible to everyone. A central activity zone.

Hope it would be an arts centre showing arts films.

Press release (http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/graphics/2011/pr11-15a.pdf) issued by the developers, and available on URA website.

Capitol Site – Singapore’s Heritage Lifestyle Precinct in the Civic and Cultural District in the Making

Singapore, 1 February 2011 –

Singapore’s Civic and Cultural District will soon see a new landmark that will not only anchor the area with its unique offerings, but drastically change the landscape with its timeless and outstanding architecture. The Capitol Site (“Capitol”) Building Agreement was signed today between the Government of Singapore and the consortium of partners comprising Chesham Properties Pte. Ltd., Perennial Real Estate Pte. Ltd. and Top Global Limited. Earlier on 27 October 2010, the tender of Capitol was awarded to the consortium of partners at a price of S$250.0 million under the Concept and Price Revenue Tender system, first on the basis of concept followed by price, so as to meet the high standards expected in terms of use, concept, quality of architecture, and sensitive adaptive reuse of the conserved buildings.

The Capitol, strategically sited at the junction of Stamford Road and North Bridge Road and comprising Capitol Theatre, Stamford House, Capitol Building and Capitol Centre, will collectively be re-energised, adapted and conserved to become a part of Singapore’s heritage. The event was graced by Mr Ng Lang, Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and attended by over 100 guests including government officials, arts and theatre groups, media community, consultants and business associates.

Under the proposed redevelopment plans, Capitol Building and Stamford House will be restored into a new luxury hotel with approximately 200 rooms. Capitol Centre will be demolished and in its place, a new 15 storey ultra-luxurious residential podium set atop a four storey shopping mall will be constructed. The former Capitol Theatre will also be refurbished and transformed into Singapore’s largest single screen seating with approximately 800 seats. Furthermore, the addition of a public plaza, which will provide a great sheltered outdoor living room for the community, is expected to become the platform for social bonding and creative spaces for the public at large. Together, they will form a juxtaposition of conserved and new buildings that will link the past and the present through an artful integration of memories and modernity, to create an iconic development that will articulate and celebrate the Singapore spirit.

The entire Capitol project is expected to complete in the third and fourth quarter of 2014 with a total investment sum of S$750.0 million (including the tender price of S$250.0 million).

Said Mr Michael Palladino of Richard Meier & Partners Architects, the appointed architect for this project, “This is an opportunity for us to create a unique civic centre that will reflect the city’s past through the existing historic structures and celebrate the future with new and contemporary additions that reflect the craft and technology of our time.”


Hotel Component

A luxurious boutique hotel will sit atop the ground level shop fronts of Stamford House and Capitol Building. Facilities will include private lounges, bar and dining restaurant as well as a ballroom.

As Mr Kwee Liong Seen, Director of Chesham Properties Pte Ltd, puts it, “The history and character of the buildings provide an opportunity to create a unique luxury hotel. Because it is only 200 rooms, guests will experience a high level of customised service. The architectural features of the buildings, its high ceiling, beautiful interior details, together with all the modern amenities, will create a strong sense of place that is Singapore.”


Retail Component


A myriad of street level specialty retail stores and a selection of top notch Food and Beverage (“F&B”) choices are expected to line the street fronts and sheltered pedestrianised Galleria. In addition, the new four storey retail podium beneath the residential units, aims to provide a diverse selection of international and local retail mix. A new subterranean pedestrian mall at basement two will link the entire development to the City Hall Mass Rapid Transit (“MRT”) station, creating a network of sheltered public circulation links amidst the various components.


Capitol Theatre

This will be one of the largest single-screen cinemas in Singapore with approximately 800 seats. Ground level access will enable the hosting of a wide array of activities from first run screenings, to red carpet movie premieres, to in-house theatre and dance productions. Capitol Theatre is expected to dedicate half the season to hosting some local in-house theatre and dance groups, with Golden Village as the cinema operator utilising the theatre for the remaining half. A total of six dance and theatre companies have been identified and we are working in partnership with them to present a primarily Singaporean and Asian repertoire.

Said Mr Pua Seck Guan, Chief Executive Officer of Perennial Real Estate Pte. Ltd., “The Capitol Site provides an exclusive opportunity for us to create a distinctive product which will appeal to both locals and tourists. We aim to move away from the ubiquitous global mall landscape and expect to offer approximately eight flagship retail stores and 30 F&B stores, and at least 40.0% new to market brands. With its excellent location set right in the heart of the city, good connectivity to one of Singapore’s busiest MRT interchange stations, highly visible street store frontage, myriad of retail, F&B and entertainment choices, coupled with the presence of the Capitol Theatre, we have the potential to present an interesting and vibrant lifestyle, retail and entertainment precinct situated within a deep historical and cultural setting.”


Residential Component


Rising above the historic architecture of the surrounds is the 15-storey residential podium. The ultra-luxe units located within this integrated development boasts remarkable views of the Marina Bay area and beyond, as well as a Residents’ Garden on level three that will feature facilities including a clubhouse and swimming pool that will form part and parcel of the city-resort lifestyle. Flanking the residential podium are buildings steeped in civic, culture and tradition; the St Andrews Cathedral, the restored Capitol Building and Stamford House all make for an interesting yet convenient lifestyle and entertainment concept. The residential units are expected to range from 1,200 to over 2,000 square feet, with designer fittings and lavish interior design to complement.

Mr Hano Maeloa, Chief Executive Officer of Top Global Limited further expounds, “Special care was taken during the architectural planning stage to ensure that each and every unit within the development enjoys an unobstructed view of the surrounds. Upper levels promise spectacular views of the Marina Bay area and beyond as well as excellent frontal views of the historical and cultural buildings in the vicinity. With its proximity to the interchange train station, and the retail mall, theatre and hotel just at your doorstep, we are looking forward to create a truly distinctive lifestyle and entertainment destination for the discerning.”


Sustainability Strategy

In line with the Singapore Government’s push for sustainable buildings, many state-of-the art features are being incorporated as part of a comprehensive sustainable strategy for Capitol. Photovoltiacs for energy production and integrated sun control systems are built into the glass canopy above the Galleria, whilst shade sails suspended below the glass roof manages the solar heat. Day-lighting and natural ventilation will also form an integral part of this sustainable approach for the entire development.

In our efforts to bring a new breath of life and energy into this arts and cultural district, the design of the new Capitol aims to engage the historic architecture with a new architectural focal point, providing an attractive destination for both “stay” and “play”.

It was designed by Richard Meier http://www.richardmeier.com/www/# so i'm hoping it will turn out as the render shows.

I've read about the planned redevelopment of the Capitol site and I'm very excited as the buildings hold many fond memories. Top of the list is of course Capitol Theatre where I watched many movies in my younger days. I remember exiting the theatre via the spiral staircases after a movie. Then there was the Magnolia Cafe. It's where I had my vanilla milk shakes before & after movies. I wish the developers will sound out people like you & me with nostalgic memories of the area before finally deciding on how to redevelop this site.

^^ I hope the same thing too. It would be quite interesting to see how this would help revitalise the area. Seriously that area has been rather dull so this would make things look interesting. :)

^^ I agree. That part of the city looks pretty boring and dull. There's nothing much to do there also. I hope this development will influence it's neighbors to redevelop also.:)

The much-loved Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and Stamford House will be transformed into a new lifestyle destination in the Civic District, to be completed by 2014. Skyline goes behind the scenes to look at the process involved in selecting the winning scheme for this strategic sale site.

http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline11/skyline11-03/skylineimages/02-01.jpg
http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline11/skyline11-03/skylineimages/02-02.jpg

The Capitol Sale Site occupies a prime location in the heart of the city, directly opposite St. Andrew's Cathedral and Raffles City Shopping Centre. The 1.43 ha site has a prominent frontage facing Stamford Road and North Bridge Road, and includes three historically and architecturally significant conservation buildings, popular among Singaporeans – the Capitol Theatre, the Capitol Building and Stamford House.

URA's vision for development of the site is to build on its illustrious history and transform it into a new lifestyle destination within the city with a complementary mix of hotel, retail and F&B uses. The former Capitol Theatre will be refurbished into an exciting and vibrant arts or entertainment-related performance venue, to add to the flourishing arts and cultural Civic District and the nearby Bras Basah.Bugis precinct.

Concept and Price Revenue tender system

To realise the vision for the site, a Concept and Price Revenue tender system was adopted for its sale to ensure that the future development meets the high standards expected in terms of the overall placement of uses, concept, and quality of architecture together with the sensitive adaptive reuse of the conserved buildings.

While most Government land sale sites are sold through the competitive price-only tender system, the Government has been using innovative tender systems, such as the Concept and Price Revenue and Fixed-Price Request-for-Proposal tenders for selected strategic sites to raise the standards of architectural designs and encourage more unique business concepts. The results are more distinctive developments that will add value to our city, enhance its character and contribute to more attractive offerings.

Since 2005, four Government sale sites have been sold through the Concept and Price Revenue tender system. They are the Urban Entertainment Centre sale site (Iluma), the Collyer Quay sale site (Fullerton Heritage), the Beach Road sale site (South Beach) and the subject Capitol site at Stamford Road/North Bridge Road.

These Concept and Price Revenue tenders have attracted good quality tender submissions from both local and overseas developers and consultants. The winning proposals for these sale sites had also substantially satisfied the evaluation criteria and contributed positively to the quality of our built environment.

A total of 14 tenders were received from 10 tenderers. Three concept proposals were shortlisted to proceed to the second stage of tender evaluation. These were submitted by Capitol Investment Holdings Pte Ltd, CapitaLand and CapitaMall Asia and Gaw Capital Partners. The tender was awarded to a consortium comprising joint venture partners Chesham Properties Pte Ltd, Perennial Real Estate Pte Ltd and Top Global Ltd (Capitol Investment Holdings Pte Ltd), in October 2010. All 14 concept proposals were shown in a public exhibition at The URA Centre from 31 March to 20 April 2011 as part of URA's continuous efforts to raise understanding and appreciation of good architecture and urban design excellence in Singapore. Close to 10,000 visited the three week exhibition.


http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline11/skyline11-03/article-02.html

I don't really see much of the characteristics of Meier's design.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtemujin/5634924216/in/set-72157626406835401

This is a great design

I hope they will link it to the City Hall Station. There's a strong need for an exit on that side of North Bridge Rd.

^^

There will be underground connection to City Hall...i think this project makes great improvements to the pedestrian feel of the area with the link and plaza.