Wednesday, December 5, 2007

South Beach Area To Be Developed, Ready By 2012

Source : The Straits Times, Dec 4, 2007

TWO major international investors have, for the first time, tied up with a Singapore company to develop a Government land sale site here.

The design of the upcoming South Beach architecture featured distinctive tower forms with sun-shading louvres, glass facade treatments and extensive sky gardens. -- PHOTO: CITY DEVELOPMENTS

City Developments Limited, along with Istithmar and Elad Group, signed a building agreement on Tuesday to build up the South Beach area in Beach Road.

The site is one of the most prestigious sites that have been offered for sale in recent years. The winning consortium submitted a bid of $1.69 billion.

South Beach occupies a prime and highly strategic location in downtown Singapore, surrounded by two distinctive districts - Marina Centre and the Civic district.

The Marina Centre is Singapore's key convention and hotel hub while the Civic district is home to many of the island's historic buildings and places.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of State for National Development, Grace Fu said this landmark development of South Beach will be a first glimpse into the exciting plans ahead for the Ophir Road/Rochor Road corridor.

She said the area will be remade and developed as a mixed-use corridor featuring offices, hotels and other supporting uses.

It will also connect the established commercial node at Marina Centre to the Bugis area, injecting vibrancy and activities into the city area.

Giving a sneak peek into the upcoming South Beach architecture, Ms Fu said the design featured distinctive tower forms with sun-shading louvres, glass facade treatments and extensive sky gardens.

A key feature is the large 'environmental filter' canopy that covers the open spaces and ties together the new and conservation buildings within the site.

The concept proposal also provides an attractive first storey layout which is open and welcoming.

It contains a series of internal streets - inspired by the street network at the nearby Seah Street and Purvis Street area - sunken courtyards and tiered gardens lined with shops and cafes.

Ms Fu added that the Government also intends to build up the land parcels along Beach Road and at the Ophir Road/Rochor Road corridor - offering opportunities for the development of office buildings with large floor plate.

More details on this will be released early next year.

The 3.5-hectare South Beach area is an entire streetblock bounded by Beach Road, Bras Basah Road, Nicoll Highway and Middle Road.

It includes four conservation buildings along Beach Road - the former NCO Club building and several blocks of the former Beach Road Camp - which are to be restored for adaptive re-use.

Video Link - http://tinyurl.com/22yhuy
Behold the next property hotspot - South Beach, S'pore

The Beach Road/Bugis area is set for another facelift with the development of a new commercial node featuring offices, hotels, retail and food and beverage outlets.
Called the Ophir Road/Rochor Road Corridor, the idea is to connect the area with Marina Centre and the Sands Integrated Resort.

Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu announced the initiative today at a signing ceremony for the upcoming South Beach Project, which will transform the Beach Road area into a zone of premium residential and commercial space.

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