60ha site earmarked for 'waterfront-garden living'; design contest seeks fresh ideas
THE Government yesterday earmarked a giant 60ha site right on the coast at Marina South for what it bills as 'waterfront-garden living' in the heart of the city.
The site, not far from the upcoming Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, is already being touted as Singapore's future No.1 residential hot spot by property analysts.
The Marina South Residential District has spectacular sea views in one direction and lush greenery in the other, as it is right next to the upcoming Garden at Marina South.
Up to 11,000 homes are expected to be built in the district, which will also boast shopping malls, hotels, parks and schools.
The site will have roughly the same number of units as District 11, which covers Newton, Novena and Thomson.
To garner fresh, innovative ideas as inspiration for its development, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Singapore Institute of Architects yesterday launched a design competition for the site.
This is a first in the planning for residential districts, said URA yesterday. The competition calls on budding student and professional architects alike - local and foreign - to design a mini-city based on the experience of living in a waterfront garden.
It must also be distinctive, eco-friendly, and promote a strong sense of community.
The institute's president Tai Lee Siang, one of the judges, told The Straits Times that 'now is the perfect time to explore...ideas that have never been seen or tested here before'.
Yesterday's announcement also marks a new chapter for Marina South.
The site is now home to SuperBowl Marina South and Victor's Superbowl, along with seafood restaurants and wide open spaces.
These buildings will eventually have to make way for the new residential district.
Guidelines from the competition brief, available on the institute's website www.sia.org.sg gives the project's gross floor area as 1.5 million sq m and a gross plot ratio of five.
This sets the scene for high-rise, high-density housing, typical of the 50-storey public housing at the Pinnacle@Duxton and the 70-storey apartments at The Sail@Marina Bay, said property analysts.
It will cater to Singaporeans' growing appetite for high-rise apartments with stunning views. Property analysts anticipate that demand for the site will be red-hot, if the economy remains robust.
'This has all the makings to be Singapore's number one residential hot spot,' said Colliers International's director for research and consultancy Tay Huey Ying.
When asked if any public housing will be built in the district, URA said detailed plans have not been finalised - but property consultants said this was very unlikely.
URA added that the project's implementation will be decided when plans are finalised. It expects the district to be developed over a 15- to 20-year period.
The closing date for the competition is Nov 12. Up to 10 of the best ideas will be selected to share a cash prize of $50,000. The winning entries will be announced during the Singapore Design Festival 2007 in November.
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