Property Developers Celebrate Tower One Topping Out

Source : The Business Times, July 30 2009

Standard Chartered, an anchor tenant, will take up 500,000 sq ft.

KEPPEL Land, Cheung Kong (Holdings) and Hongkong Land jointly celebrated the topping out of Tower One at Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) yesterday. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan was guest of honour at the event.

Popping the confetti: Standard Chartered is an anchor tenant and will be taking up 500,000 sq ft. The building will obtain temporary occupation permit next year

Tower One achieved a 100 per cent pre-commitment rate when it was launched in 2007. Standard Chartered Bank is an anchor tenant and will be taking up 500,000 sq ft of office space. The 33-storey building will obtain its temporary occupation permit next year.

Towers Two and Three have secured pre-commitment rates of around 45 per cent and 55 per cent respectively. This translates to a pre-commitment rate of 61 per cent for the first two phases of MBFC.

Together, the three office towers will offer about three million sq ft of prime Grade A office space. MBFC also comprises retail space and two residential towers.

There has been an increase in leasing enquiries for space at MBFC in the past few months, said Raffles Quay Asset Management general manager Wilson Kwong.

Marina Bay has attracted investments of more than $27.5 billion from both the private and public sectors so far.

Raising The Sail

Source : The Straits Times, June 1, 2009

The Sail@Marina Bay, Singapore's tallest residential building, recently won the Building and Construction Authority's Design and Engineering Safety Excellence Award.

The unprecedented challenges of this unique project were overcome through pioneering features in the design and construction. The Straits Times takes a look at how these were achieved.

滨海舫获优秀设计和工程安全奖

Source :《联合早报》May 26, 2009

本地最高的公寓滨海舫（The Sail@Marina Bay）以风帆型设计闻名，但纤长的设计也意味建筑更容易被强风摇晃。

为加强公寓的结构安全，防震设计成为它的一大特色，既为抗强风，也确保它可以承受中等强度的地震。

去年底竣工的滨海舫因采用独特设计和工程技术，获得建设局今年颁发的优秀设计和工程安全奖（Design and Engineering Safety Excellence Award），成为8座得奖建筑之一。

去年底竣工的滨海舫因采用独特设计和工程技术，获得建设局今年颁发的优秀设计和工程安全奖（Design and Engineering Safety Excellence Award），成为8座得奖建筑之一。

滨海舫以70层楼的高度独占鳌头，然而其又扁又高的风帆型建筑设计会让住户更容易感受到建筑物的摇晃。为克服这个挑战，工程师团队使用多个钢筋混凝土梁及支架，加强建筑的结构及支撑力，让它具防震能力。

我国不处地震区，建筑物无需有防震能力，因此滨海舫是少数拥有防震设计的本地建筑。

负责工程设计的Meinhardt（新加坡）公司执行董事那森说，滨海舫的建造工作面对许多前所未有的挑战，所幸工程师、设计师和建筑师同心协力以富有创意的方式克服挑战。

滨海舫建于土质较松软的填土地区，要在这样的基础上竖立高楼大厦已不容易，附近的地铁站及其他建筑更为挖掘工作增加难度。莱佛士转换站近在咫尺，公寓与地铁隧道的最近距离只有23至40公尺。

为避免挖掘工程影响附近的地铁隧道，工程师使用混凝土连续墙环绕整个工地。连续墙以三个环环相扣的圆圈组成，类似“花生”形状，可使得挖掘力度互相制衡，避免周围建筑受影响。

滨海舫也使用更高等级的混凝土，这样屋内支柱的面积能缩小，住户可更自由设计屋内格局，窗外景色也不会被庞大支柱遮挡。　　

除了滨海舫，其他获得优秀设计和工程安全奖的建筑包括亨德申波浪桥（Henderson Waves）和加冷巴耶利峇高速公路（第423合约）。两项工程都面对艰巨的技术挑战，前者高高横跨亨德申路，后者低低穿越芽笼河底下，建造难度可想而知。

获得优异奖的5座建筑是私人共管公寓Parc Emily、樟宜机场的皇冠假日酒店、瑞吉酒店和瑞吉居、滨海南码头和地铁环线第一阶段工程。

New Heart Of City Takes Shape

Source : The Straits Times, April 22, 2009

MORE than $22 billion of investments have been pumped into transforming Marina Bay and the vision of a prime waterfront location for living, working and playing is steadily taking shape.

'In one or two years' time, this bay will be alive with people, with activities, festivities and it's a testimony to the foresight of the people who started developing this area many, many years ago,' said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan after touring key sites yesterday.

The immediate vicinity of Marina Bay will be ready 'for people to enjoy in a couple of years' time', he added.

The development of the entire Marina Bay area - Singapore's most ambitious urban transformation project - is expected to be completed in 10 to 15 years.

Yet the groundwork for the expansion of the existing Central Business District started back in the late 1960s. The new downtown comprises 360ha, which was reclaimed in phases from 1969 to 1992.

Plans started in earnest about 10 years ago when the area was first developed. The first site was put up for sale in 2004.

The transformation of Marina Bay into Singapore's new downtown is part of a bigger plan to remake the city and turn it into an exciting, liveable global city.

Mr Mah reiterated that the plans are going ahead in spite of the economic crisis. 'As a Government, we must be able to look farther ahead and we must be willing to invest,' he said.

While local and international investors have injected $16.5 billion into the bay area, the Government has invested $5.7 billion and will put in more than $1 billion in additional infrastructure. Key projects such as the Double Helix Bridge, Art Park and The Fullerton Heritage at Collyer Quay will be completed by year's end.

The Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort will be ready in phases from the end of this year, while the first phase of the Marina Bay Financial Centre will be finished by the middle of next year.

Marina Bay Sucks In $22b Of Investments

Source : The Business Times, April 22, 2009

More sites are available in the area but govt is in no hurry to release them

Marina Bay has attracted investments of more than $22 billion and while the area still has sites for development, the government has no plans to sell them at the moment.

'We are in no hurry to release these sites,' said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan yesterday. He was speaking to the media after a tour of several projects taking shape along Marina Bay, such as the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, the double helix bridge and the Fullerton heritage area.



























According to Mr Mah, some investors are looking at specific sites and have approached the government, but 'we will pause for a while', he said. Of the 360 ha of land set aside for Marina Bay's development, around 24 ha have been sold, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said.

The agency has not put up any more sites at Marina Bay for sale through the Government Land Sales Programme. The timing and number of sites to be released 'will depend on the economic conditions and market demand and subject to more detailed planning later on,' URA added.

For now, 'the timing is not right,' Mr Mah explained. 'We also want to be sure that the infrastructure is in place and the other developments are up. Then we'll see what else we want to have that will add to the attractiveness of the bay.'

Of the more than $22 billion pumped into Marina Bay's development, close to $5.7 billion was the government's investment in infrastructure. Another $16.5 billion came from private investors both in Singapore and abroad.

The US$4.5 billion Marina Bay Sands integrated resort is one of the most significant projects in the area. In 2006, the consortium behind the Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) also said that they would spend $2 billion on the first phase of the development.

Over the next 10 to 15 years, the government will continue to pump more than $1 billion into infrastructural works to support Marina Bay's growth and to enhance connectivity within the city.

'What we have seen today shows that the progress of Marina Bay is very much on schedule and on track,' Mr Mah noted.

One important project is the construction of the double helix bridge, which will allow pedestrians to cross from Marina Centre to the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort in just three to four minutes when it is completed at the end of the year. The bridge, together with an adjacent vehicular bridge and the nearby art park, cost $82.9 million.

The double helix bridge will be part of a 3.5 km long waterfront loop linking key developments along Marina Bay, such as the upcoming MBFC and 50 Collyer Quay. 'In one or two years' time, this bay will be alive with people and activities,' Mr Mah said.

There will also be an extensive underground pedestrian network linked to MRT stations and retail shops. Phase one of MBFC for instance, will have around 93,000 sq ft of retail space both above and below ground level.

MBFC manager Raffles Quay Asset Management may start marketing the retail mall in H2 2009. 'The exact timing depends on how best we could finalise our plans once all the necessary authorities' approvals are in place as well as market conditions,' said its general manager Wilson Kwong.

As for the MBFC, space across its three towers is 61 per cent pre-committed.

'Given the uncertainty and business volatility, it is inevitable and understandable that interested prospects would take a longer time before making any long-term pre-commitments,' Mr Kwong said. Nevertheless, MBFC still receives a 'healthy level' of leasing enquiries.

According to property consultant Cushman & Wakefield, 1.97 million sq ft of new office space could come onstream this year even as the property market softens. But Mr Mah was not unduly worried by such numbers.

'While we need to be mindful of the current economic downturn . . . we must also not forget that we have to prepare ourselves for when the economy recovers,' he said. 'When it does, we will be ready.'

Marina Bay Taking Shape

Source : The Straits Times, April 21, 2009

MORE than $22 billion of investments have been pumped into transforming Marina Bay and the vision of a prime waterfront location for living, working and playing is steadily taking shape.

The transformation of the Marina Bay area is progressing on schedule. --PHOTO: ZAOBAO

'In one or two years' time, this bay will be alive with people, with activities, festivities and it's a testimony to the foresight of the people who started developing this area many, many years ago,' said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan after touring key sites on Tuesday.

The immediate vicinity of Marina Bay will be ready 'for people to enjoy in a couple of years' time', he added.

The development of the entire Marina Bay area - Singapore's most ambitious urban transformation project - is expected to be completed in 10 to 15 years.

Yet the groundwork for the expansion of the existing Central Business District started back in the late 1960s. The new downtown comprises 360ha, which was reclaimed in phases from 1969 to 1992.

Plans started in earnest about 10 years ago when the area was first developed. The first site was put up for sale in 2004.

The transformation of Marina Bay into Singapore's new downtown is part of a bigger plan to remake the city and turn it into an exciting, liveable global city.

Mr Mah reiterated that the plans are going ahead in spite of the economic crisis. 'As a Government, we must be able to look farther ahead and we must be willing to invest,' he said.

Read the full report in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.

Marina Barrage, An Engineering Feat, Finally Opens

Source : The Business Times, November 1, 2008

AFTER decades of planning and years of design and construction, the Marina Barrage was finally opened yesterday.

WAVE WATCHING
Due to poor soil conditions, piling at the site is one of the deepest in Singapore. The pivot blocks supporting the 70-tonne crest gates had to be positioned to within an accuracy of 2 millimetres

Marking an important milestone in Singapore's water story, the barrage creates a reservoir that collects rainwater from the largest catchment in Singapore in the most densely built up part of the island. The water collected can then be treated to drinking water standards using advance membrane technology. It can also check flooding in the city through its 5-metre high crest gates controlled by computers.

At the opening ceremony yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called the project an engineering feat. Due to poor soil conditions, piling at the site is one of the deepest in Singapore. The pivot blocks supporting the 70-tonne crest gates had to be positioned to within an accuracy of 2 millimetres.

While lauding Singapore's effective water management, he also called for Singaporeans to take ownership of the environment. He said that Singaporeans have to share the passion to keep the environment clean and green if the island is to maintain its sustainable living state.

Marina Bay All Set To Sparkle

Source : The Straits Times, Sep 17, 2008

Plans for two promenades unveiled which will complete waterfront loop, linking bay attractions

PLANS for the last two links of the Marina Bay chain have been laid down, completing a 3.5km waterfront loop joining up the necklace of attractions in the bay area.

They are:

# An 800m water-misted stretch along Bayfront, adjacent to Bayfront Avenue.

# A 400m shady walk through pavilions under large solar-powered fans along Marina Boulevard.














The links were announced by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) yesterday.

The uninterrupted waterfront promenade designed by Australian architects Cox Group in collaboration with local firm Architects 61, will cost $35 million to build.

When ready around the end of next year, visitors will be able to walk a loop linking the Merlion Park, Esplanade Theatres, the ArtScience museum and integrated resort (IR), Marina Bay Financial Centre and The Fullerton Heritage.

Ultimately, the plan is to create a vibrant waterfront area, drawing visitors to shop, eat, play or simply take in the view of the bay from any spot on the promenade.

The Bayfront stretch will be a two-tier promenade with a granite-paved upper-level and a lower-level timber boardwalk to allow visitors to go right down to the water's edge.

The main attraction is a 300m-long stainless steel tube-like structure, which can be as high as 10m, equipped with audio speakers, night-lighting and spray misters to bring temperatures down a notch.

The promenade will widen at the southern corner of the Bay into an open space with water features such as dancing water jets. Next to that will be a visitor centre showing developments in the area, a cafe and an information booth.

The lively, pumping ambience of the Bayfront stretch will give way to a shadier, more tranquil gander along Marina Boulevard.

There, visitors can rest their feet and sit on the seawall among flowering shrubs and shady trees, and be cooled by solar-powered fans.

The announcement for the final two links has come 18 months after URA unveiled its plans for the first, a double-helix bridge linking the IR site with the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel. The Flyer opened officially in March, and the bridge will be up around the end of next year.

Said URA's chief planner Koh-Lim Wen Gin: 'These constructions help us to take full advantage of the waterfront. It allows people to enjoy this reservoir in the heart of our city and allows lots of events to take place next to and on the water.'

The URA is now calling for tenders for the promenades' construction.

The Marina Bay loop will be part of a longer 11.7km waterfront route around the Marina Reservoir, linking the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Barrage and the new Sports Hub. These are in the midst of construction.

The designer, renowned Australian architect Philip Cox, hailed the Marina Bay area as the 'new focus of the city' and a way for Singapore to become 'the most successful maritime city in the world'.

He said: 'Every part of Singapore offers a different experience. This one will lead to a

refocus, a shift of the centre of the city to this area and away from Orchard Road.'

$35m For Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade

Source : The Business Times, September 17, 2008

THE government will spend $35 million to complete the 3.5 km waterfront promenade around Marina Bay, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

On the boardwalk: The Marina Bay Sands stretch will have a two-tier promenade. The lower level will have water-taxi landing points and berthing points for boats

To date, stretches along The Esplanade are already accessible to the public with work underway at One Fullerton to make the promenade there more pedestrian-friendly.

The URA said development will now turn to the waterfront promenade along Marina Bay Sands, Marina Bay Financial Centre, and the Central Promontory site. Completion is targeted for around end-2009.

The design, by Australia's Cox Group, will include a new eco-friendly visitor centre.

The Cox Group also designed the double helix pedestrian bridge linking Bayfront to Marina Centre where the Art Park is also sited.

At a press briefing held yesterday, URA revealed details of the promenade design and this includes plans for the Central Promontory site to be used as an interim event space and public space during national events such as the Marina Bay Countdown.

Currently, it is hosting the Singapore Biennale's Containart Pavilion, designed by Shigeru Ban.

URA also said it will continue to work with other agencies and stakeholders to programme activities on the site.

Another design feature of the Cox Group scheme is a two-tier promenade along the Marina Bay Sands stretch. This part of the promenade will have a granite-paved upper level promenade and a lower level timber boardwalk with water-taxi landing points and berthing points for boats incorporated.

The lower level boardwalk will include tiered seating and steps that will go down to the water's edge and double as seats for watching events at the bay.

Other design features include interactive misters programmed using a system of sensors that monitor ambient temperature, humidity and movement.

There will also be water jets and specially designed 'breeze shelters' that will feature solar-powered fans.

When completed, the 3.5 km waterfront promenade will form part of the longer 11.7 km waterfront route around Marina Reservoir, which will link the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Barrage and the new Sports Hub.

To date, the government has pumped in more than $4.5 billion to facilitate development of Marina Bay. This includes building the common services tunnel as well as the Marina Barrage.

New Promenade At Marina

Source : The Straits Times, Sep 16, 2008

BY END of next year year, visitors to Marina Bay will be able to enjoy an uninterrupted stroll along the 3.5km promenade, linking up the necklace of attractions around the bay.

Attractions that will form part of the $35 million waterfront promenade include a 300-m long steel structure, water features and a shaded tropical walk.

When completed, the 3.5km waterfront promenade will form part of the longer 11.7km waterfront route around Marina Reservoir, which will link up the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Barrage and the new Sports Hub. -- PHOTO: URA

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Tuesday announced the new waterfront features which will link up the Marina Centre, Collyer Quay and Bayfront areas.

The promenade is designed by an international design team led by Australian architects, The Cox Group, in collaboration with local firm Architects 61.

Among the attractions visitors can look forward to is the Bayfront promenade, which stretches in front of the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort development.

It is planned as a two-tier promenade comprising a granite-paved upper-level promenade and a lower-level timber boardwalk.

The upper level includes lushly landscaped shady areas and paved areas for people to stroll or jog, as well as for the3 staging of events.

The lower-level timber boardwalk will incorporate water-taxi landing points and berthing points for boats. It will also be an extension of the Event Plaza and provide direct access to the two floating Crystal Pavilions that form part of the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.

This stretch will boast a number of unique design features, including a 300m-long sculptural, tubular stainless steel structure. It includes night lighting, power points and audio speakers, providing an integrated light-and-sound experience, as well as fine spray misters.

The lower-level boardwalk will include a generous expanse of tiered-seating and steps that allow visitors to go right down to the water's edge, and double up as seats for watching events and activities taking place within the Bay.

At the southern corner of the Bay, the promenade will widen to create a family-oriented public open space, with a series of linear water features, that will include dancing water jets.

The stretch of the waterfront promenade along Marina Boulevard will be a shaded tropical walk with flowering shrubs and shade trees to create a lush and delightful experience.

Continuous Loop
The Marina Boulevard stretch will connect to the stretch along Collyer Quay, which is being constructed as part of the new Fullerton Heritage development.

It will include parts of the historic pier structures at the Former Clifford Pier and Customs Harbour Branch buildings, as well as new decks over the water.

It will connect to the existing promenade at One Fullerton - currently being refurbished with a wider pedestrian walkway, water features and al fresco dining areas - and on to the Merlion Park.

At the other end, the promenade will connect to the new double-helix pedestrian bridge linking visitors from Bayfront to Marina Centre, thus completing an uninterrupted walking route around the Bay.

When completed, the 3.5km waterfront promenade will form part of the longer 11.7km waterfront route around Marina Reservoir, which will link up the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Barrage and the new Sports Hub.

Major Remaking Of Collyer Quay

Source : The Straits Times, Apr 26, 2008

Waterfront area around Marina Bay to be transformed over next few years

TALL wooden hoardings now block off both ends of the once-bustling thoroughfare of Change Alley.

The moneychangers after whom it was named are long gone. All is eerily quiet at the glass-framed bridge linking Collyer Quay and Raffles Place.

However, the 32-year-old landmark will be reborn in 2010 as a shopping arcade with 12 retail shops, as part of a multimillion-dollar makeover now taking place at historic Collyer Quay.

It's just one of many changes in the waterfront area of Marina Bay that are set to create a buzz.

The eight-year-old One Fullerton, a three-storey entertainment complex occupying a prime spot along the quay, will be relaunched in August with four new eateries.

Business owners there are racing to open new restaurants and bars in time to cash in on the three-day Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix that is expected to draw 240,000 spectators in September.

The new eateries include Forlino, a 5,000 sq ft traditional Italian restaurant to be helmed by Michelin-star chef Osvaldo Forlino from Italy. It is run by Mr Beppe de Vito, who owns the Il Lido Italian restaurant at Sentosa Golf Club.





















Hotelier Loh Lik Peng, who owns the hip New Majestic and 1929 hotels, will open an upscale 80-seat Cantonese restaurant on the ground floor.

Even the space under the Esplanade Bridge next to One Fullerton has been transformed. A $500,000 Spanish-themed bar, The Tapas Tree, which can seat 120 people, will open there.

These will add to One Fullerton's current crop of 10 food and office tenants, some of which are undergoing renovations.

The changes come as the entire Fullerton strip waterfront area gears up to cater to F1 crowds, office workers in the vicinity, and the tourist throngs expected to be drawn to the rejuvenated Marina Bay, once it is completed.

Next to One Fullerton, the newly refurbished Clifford Pier will reopen with a restaurant and bar by September.

Both One Fullerton and Clifford Pier are part of an area being transformed by developer Sino Group into a waterfront development called The Fullerton Heritage. It will feature a new 98-room Fullerton Bay Hotel and a dining zone in the old double-storey Customs House, both of which will open next year.

And in 2010, diners can look forward to a rooftop restaurant overlooking Marina Bay at the new 50, Collyer Quay office building on the site of the former Overseas Union House.

The 18-storey block is being developed at a cost of $257 million by Clifford Development, a wholly owned subsidiary of Overseas Union Enterprise.

Next to it, the Change Alley Aerial Plaza Tower, a 39m-tall tower that once housed the popular Red Lantern Restaurant, will be upgraded from September. In 2010, it will reopen with two Chinese eateries on the fourth and fifth levels.

Urban Redevelopment Authority director for urban planning and design Fun Siew Leng says the developments, together with international events such as the F1 and Singapore Biennale 2008, will contribute to its vision of Marina Bay as an exciting and vibrant waterfront destination.

Diners such as administration manager Celeste Lim, 27, cannot wait for the revamped Collyer Quay. 'With the new eateries and bars, it will be the next hot spot. Also, the view at the waterfront will be spectacular, as it overlooks the Singapore Flyer and upcoming Marina Sands integrated resort.'

Bromeliads For Gardens At Marina South Arrive In Singapore

Source : Channel NewsAsia, 31 March 2008

Some 50,000 bromeliads have arrived in Singapore all the way from Florida to be part of the Gardens at Marina South.

Similar to the pineapple plant, about 35 percent of more than 3,475 species of bromeliads are rare. These plants can remove water pollutants and play an important role in energy conservation.

Artist impression of part of Gardens at Marina South

One of the species of bromeliads is the Tillandsia. It does not need soil or water because it takes what it needs from the air by converting nitrogen into nitrates.

Another bromeliad species is the Billbergia Strawberry, which blooms for just one week every year.

Related Video : -http://tinyurl.com/yo4e8s

These species are native to North and South America and they are known for their unique features.

Anton van der Schans, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Gardens by the Bay, said: "One of the things we are trying to do is to introduce more colour. Not just because it looks more attractive, it also helps to capture people's attention and imagination, and hopefully that will encourage them to learn more about the environmental messages which are behind the collection as well."

These messages include how some bromeliads are endangered species because of deforestation and climate change.

To help these plants, the experts have erected artificial trees known as 'super trees'. These trees, some of which are up to 50 metres tall, not only support the plants but are also ecologically friendly.

Kenneth Er, General Manager, Gardens by the Bay, said: "The super trees, like real trees, would also photosynthesise using photovoltaic cells - converting solar energy into electricity... We are also exploring the possibility of the trees collecting rain water."

Another environmentally friendly feature is a conservatory which will use cooling technologies that can save up to 40 percent of the amount of energy used.

"Typically, some of these species require cooler temperatures for best foliage colour and flowering, so that's where our cool glass houses come in, to help provide the conditions to really display them at their best," said Mr van der Schans.

These plants will also absorb pollutants by cleaning the water that flows into three freshwater lakes – Kallang Basin, Marina Bay and Marina Channel. When combined, the three lakes will be Singapore's 15th reservoir, which will supply 10 percent of the country's drinking water.

Another 150,000 bromeliads will be coming to Singapore over the next two years. In all, the plants cost S$2 million. They will be available for public viewing by 2011.

The Gardens at Marina South – situated right beside the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort – will open 24 hours daily.

Together with Gardens at Marina East and Gardens at Marina Central, they form Gardens by the Bay, spanning over 155 football fields. - CNA/so

Realising The Marina Bay Vision

Source : The Business Times, March 22, 2008

CHING TUAN YEE and BENJAMIN NG reflect on the planning of Singapore's most ambitious urban project and highlight the exciting developments in store for Singaporeans and visitors alike

THE vision for Marina Bay is that of a high-quality, 24/7 live-work-play environment, one that encapsulates the essence of the global city Singapore is envisaged to be.

Something for everyone: Set by the water's edge and with the city skyline as a backdrop, Marina Bay is envisioned to be a Garden City by the Bay, a 24/7 destination that presents an array of opportunities for people to explore new lifestyle options, exchange new ideas and information for business, and be entertained by rich leisure and cultural experiences

Waterfront business districts such as Canary Wharf in London and Pudong in Shanghai have come, in recent years, to signify urban progress and prosperity. They have raised the international profile of their respective cities while spurring growth and investment.

The Singapore example is in Marina Bay. A seamless extension of Singapore's flourishing central business district spanning 360 hectares of prime land for development, Marina Bay is our city's most exciting and ambitious urban project that will support our continuing growth as a major business and financial hub in Asia.

Set by the water's edge and with our signature city skyline as a backdrop, Marina Bay is envisioned to be a Garden City by the Bay, a 24/7 destination presenting an exciting array of opportunities for people to explore new living and lifestyle options, exchange new ideas and information for business, and be entertained by rich leisure and cultural experiences in a distinctive environment.

The groundwork for the expansion of the existing CBD (Central Business District) and its transformation into a waterfront business district focused around Marina Bay had been laid as early as the late 1960s. Land adjacent to the CBD was reclaimed in phases between 1969 and 1992.

The Master Plan for Marina Bay focuses on encouraging a mix of uses (commercial, residential, hotel and entertainment) to ensure that the area remains vibrant around the clock.

The concept of 'white' site zoning also gives developers more flexibility to decide on the mix of uses for each site, including housing, offices, shops, hotels, recreational facilities and public spaces.

To cater for good connectivity and seamless extension, the development parcels at Marina Bay were planned based on a grid urban pattern which extends from the existing road network within the CBD. This grid creates a flexible framework with a series of land parcels that can be amalgamated or sub-divided to meet different requirements as well as changing demands and allow the phasing of developments.

Creating signature districts

In the planning of Marina Bay, specific attention was paid to creating value. The land parcels are located within a series of distinctive districts, each focusing around attractive public open spaces and tree-lined boulevards which will provide signature address locations for developments.

Along the waterfront and fronting key open spaces, building heights are kept low. This maximises views to and from individual developments further away from the waterfront, enhancing their attractiveness and creating a dynamic 'stepped-up' skyline profile as well as more pedestrian scaled areas.

The successful development of Marina Bay is supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure. To date, the government has pumped in more than $4.5 billion to facilitate development of the area.

A Common Services Tunnel housing electrical and telecommunication cables and other utility services underground is being built, making repeated road diggings a thing of the past. An extensive road and rail network has also been planned, with three MRT stations to be built in the area as part of the new Downtown rail line.

Chain event: A 280m pedestrian bridge - the longest in Singapore - will, together with a new waterfront promenade, create a continuous walking loop connecting all the attractions and open spaces around the Bay

A new vehicular and pedestrian bridge will link Bayfront to Marina Centre. The 280m pedestrian linkway - the longest in Singapore - will sport a dynamic double helix structure. Together with a new waterfront promenade, this will create a continuous walking loop connecting up the necklace of attractions and open spaces around the Bay.

Another key infrastructural project is the Marina Barrage. When officially opened in 2009, it will turn the existing water body into Singapore's first reservoir in the city. This will serve as a new source of fresh water for Singapore and a new lifestyle attraction allowing for a variety of water-based activities and events to take place. It will also house Singapore's tallest fountain project.

The softer touch

Having provided for much of the 'hardware' for the new business district, it became clear that URA had to go beyond its traditional roles of urban planning and land sales management. To this end, the Marina Bay Development Agency was set up within URA to focus on the 'software' for developing the area. Since then, URA has embarked on a full spectrum of marketing, promotion and place management activities to showcase the uniqueness of this new destination.

To generate more buzz, a calendar of events and activities for public spaces and water bodies has been put in place in partnership with various agencies and the private sector. Signature events, like the Marina Bay Singapore New Year's Eve Countdown, have become a new urban tradition. Marina Bay has also become the definitive venue for a host of sporting events like the F1 Powerboat Race, the Oakley City Duathlon and the Great Eastern Women's 10km run.

The shape of things to come

While it will take more than a decade for the entire area at Marina Bay to be fully developed, a host of projects that will offer people from all walks of life exciting and attractive options to live, work and play are already taking shape. These upcoming developments have contributed significantly towards enhancing the area's reputation as a location that offers something for everyone: a tropical living environment among lush greenery; a bustling global business hub and a lifestyle locale presenting a kaleidoscope of entertainment and leisure choices.

LIVE - by the Bay. Marina Bay has fast become one of the city's most popular and prestigious residential addresses, with a number of outstanding projects already under construction.

The Sail @ Marina Bay will be the tallest residential development in Singapore at 245 metres when it is completed in 2009. It boasts two towers - one at 70 storeys and the other at 63 storeys. Meanwhile, the Marina Bay Financial Centre incorporates the 55-storey Marina Bay Residences, comprising 428 luxury apartments, and the Marina Bay Suites, a 66-storey development offering 221 exclusive bayside units.

WORK - by the Bay. With its prime location in the heart of Singapore's future downtown, Marina Bay continues to be a magnet to global investors and tenants seeking premium office space in a prime location.

The development of Marina Bay will help to further position Singapore as one of Asia's leading financial centres, doubling the size of the existing financial district. The new growth area set aside for the seamless extension of the existing financial district is more than twice the size of London's Canary Wharf and will provide some 2.82 million square metres of office space, equivalent to the office space within Hong Kong's main business district, Central.

Already, a nucleus of office developments is forming with the development of One Raffles Quay, the soon-to-be-completed Marina Bay Financial Centre, and the two recently sold sites at Marina View. Several global banks and multinational corporations, including UBS, Deutsche Bank, DBS and Standard Chartered, are already located or will be locating in these developments.

PLAY - by the Bay. The 'fun' factor at Marina Bay is expected to be raised to a new high when the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort opens its doors in 2009. With its impressive design featuring a sky park and three soaring 50-storey hotel blocks with landscaped balconies, the area's most anticipated project will add a new dimension to our city skyline.

The Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort will house, among other things, a casino, 110,000 sq metres of meeting and convention facilities, and an ArtScience Museum (above)

The integrated resort is poised to be a world-class development that will house a casino, two theatres, 110,000 sq metres of meeting and convention facilities, as well as about 2,500 hotel rooms. Other attractions at the integrated resort include restaurants in the form of two floating crystal pavilions and an ArtScience Museum, the rooftop of which becomes an amphitheatre with tiered seating.

Coming attractions: Building on Singapore's green legacy, three world-class waterfront gardens (above) of about 100 hectares are planned for the area.

Building on Singapore's green legacy, three world-class waterfront gardens of about 100 hectares have been planned for the area. With the first phase of the project slated for completion in 2010, the Gardens at Marina Bay will be another unique destination attraction for those visiting Singapore and a green sanctuary for people living and working in the city.

Each garden will feature a distinctive design and character. All three gardens will also be interconnected via a series of pedestrian bridges to form a larger loop along the whole waterfront and linked to surrounding developments, open public spaces, transport nodes and attractions.

Focal point for the community

Marina Bay is a prime example of a visionary masterplan that is not only well on its way to becoming a new focal point for the local community, but it has also drawn worldwide attention and interest. Testament to this is its achievement in attracting close to $16.5 billion worth of private investments to date from international investors and developers from the US, Hong Kong, Australia, Europe as well as the Middle East.

Moving forward, Marina Bay will continue to be the centrepiece of Singapore's urban transformation, providing the city with the opportunity to attract new investments, visitors and talents.

The URA, as the Development Agency for Marina Bay, is committed to our long-term and strategic plans to meet the area's future development needs. We will continue to adopt a holistic and integrated approach in designing the area with people in mind, work with partners and communities to implement key infrastructure, and carry out active promotion and place management activities. We will also engage investors to garner more interesting business concepts and ideas. This will take us closer to our vision of making Marina Bay a choice destination for all, one that promises Singaporeans and visitors alike a brand-new, live-work-play experience.

Ching Tuan Yee is Executive Architect, Urban Planning Section, Urban Redevelopment Authority, while Benjamin Ng is Place Manager, Marina Bay Development Agency, Urban Redevelopment Authority

MGPA将再投50亿元 发展滨海景两幅地段

《联合早报》Mar 19, 2007

尽管有外国资金开始撤出本地房地产市场，麦格理环球房地产咨询公司(Macquarie Global Property Advisors, MGPA)依然对本地办公楼、零售商店和私宅市场信心十足，并有计划继续增加在本地的投资。

过去15个月，这家由澳大利亚麦格理银行持有49％股权的私营房地产投资公司，在我国投资了45亿新元。MGPA集团在环球负责管理100亿美元的资金，新加坡与日本是集团投资组合内的主要市场。集团在去年更是本地最大的房地产投资者。

滨海景两座商业大厦的构想图。

接下来，MGPA集团预计将另外耗资50亿元（包括土地价格在内)，发展位于滨海景（Marina View）的两幅地段。集团去年第一次参与本地政府售地计划，于9月和12月分别以20亿2000万元和9亿5000万元标下毗邻的A和B地段。

MGPA集团昨天在滨海景B地段的建筑协议书签署仪式上宣布，将在两幅地段上兴建两座楼高43或44层，拥有约20万平方米办公楼的大厦，预计在2011年或2012年建成。A地段将为办公楼和零售用途，B地段上则将兴建综合五星级豪华酒店兼办公楼的商业大厦。

除了优质办公楼外，B地段的建筑将拥有超过220个酒店客房，第一和二层将为零售和餐饮场所，是滨海弯一带首个这一类的建筑。

两座地标性建筑由澳大利亚建筑师Denton Corker Marshall操刀，建成后将形成一体，设计目前有待当局批准。

集团希望吸引国际金融机构成为租户，并计划与国际顶级酒店联名经营该酒店，目前正和多方洽谈。

MPGA集团亚洲投资总裁西门特蕾斯（Simon Treacy）昨天受访时表示，看好本地办公楼、零售商店和私宅市场，尤其是办公楼，预计办公楼租金中期内还会继续增长，今年内将取得10％至25％的增幅。

同时是集团股东之一的他说：“我们对亚洲市场的胃口非常大，尤其是新加坡和吉隆坡。新加坡的经济基础强稳，可说是亚洲这个皇冠上的闪亮宝石。尽管过去两年来市场已上涨了不少，但还有些价廉物美的投资，相信在6至9个月后，能以更好的价格购买，目前没有必要着急。我们未来还会在新加坡加码投资，目前正耐心地等待理想的时机，找到好地点，并能够推出独特的产品时就会行动。”

对于本地办公楼市场，西门特蕾斯并不同意市场的看法，认为即使到了2010年，大量新办公楼项目陆续完工以后，供应吃紧的情况还会持续一段事件。

他说，新加坡已转换了跑道，经济比过去更繁荣，但市场之前却低估了办公楼市场的需求，未来的新加坡办公楼市场预计将见证类似2003年在东京以及目前在香港发生的情况。

MGPA不排除收购澳大利亚房地产或投资信托公司

正积极拓展投资组合的MGPA集团，不排除收购澳大利亚房地产或投资信托公司。

在美国次贷风暴拖累下，由于当地房地产市场一片凄风苦雨，澳大利亚多家房地产信托公司，包括Centro房地产集团、古曼集团(Goodman Group)、麦格理全国信托(Macquarie Country Wide Trust)等都纷纷脱售物业来削减债务，以加强投资者对它们的债务状况的信心。

古曼集团上个星期表示，有意把它在腾飞信托(A-REIT)的股份，卖给新加坡的合作伙伴——腾飞(Ascendas)私人有限公司，以筹集资金来减少债务。

MGPA集团亚洲投资总裁西门特蕾斯表示，公司在亚洲市场扎根15年，在8个城市设有办事处，聘请150名员工，负债比例一直维持在60％的适度水平，在本区域各个市场获得当地银行的大力支持，并没有资金周转或债务方面的问题。

被问及是否有意购买这些公司的资产时，西门特蕾斯笑说：“我是澳大利亚人，当然会买澳大利亚啦！”

虽然MGPA集团的资产组合主要分布亚洲和欧洲，西门特蕾斯指出，集团一直在寻找投资机会，如果有合适的投资商机，不管是购买土地兴建建筑，买下现有房产进行改建，或购买房地产关联公司都是个可能性。

Aussie Firm Inks $5b Marina Bay Contract

Source : The Straits Times, Mar 19, 2008

AUSTRALIAN company Macquarie Global Property Advisers (MGPA) is investing $5 billion in an integrated commercial development in Marina Bay and looking for more investments in Singapore and the region.

MGPA’s chief executive for Asia developments, Mr Michael Wilkinson, said at the development’s signing ceremony yesterday that the company is optimistic about Singapore property .

Mr Simon Treacy, who heads the firm’s Asia investments unit, agreed, saying: ‘Fundamentals are great in the medium to long term.’ He added that MGPA is keen to invest in Singapore’s residential, retail and office sectors.

The $5 billion investment will be the private equity fund management firm’s largest in South-east Asia although it has invested $4.5 billion in Singapore over the past 18 months.

‘MGPA’s participation is a demonstration of the growing interest from foreign real estate investors in Singapore,’ said Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu at yesterday’s signing ceremony for the project.

Ms Fu, the guest of honour, said the Government is committed to supplying adequate land for prime office developments. The new area at Marina Bay will provide about 2.82 million sq m of office space - more than twice the size of London’s Canary Wharf, she said.

MGPA’s Marina View development alone will yield about 200,000 sq m of space.

It had successfully tendered for the first 1.02ha Marina View site with a $2.02 billion bid last September.

The Australia-based firm then won the second 0.9ha site last November at a $950 million bid.

The first office building will be completed in 2011, and the second - which will boast a luxury hotel with at least 220 rooms - will be ready a year later.

STRONG OPTIMISM

‘Fundamentals are great in the medium to long term.’

MR SIMON TREACY, who heads MGPA’s Asia investments unit, explaining the firm’s confidence in Singapore property . He says the firm is keen to invest in the residential, retail and office sectors.

MGPA’s Marina View Project To Cost $5b

Source : The Business Times, March 19, 2008

Devt to have over 2.6m sq ft in two towers of more than 40 storeys each.

MACQUARIE Global Property Advisors (MGPA) will spend about $2 billion building a commercial complex on two development sites at Marina View that it clinched last year.

On the drawing board: Artist's impression of MGPA's Marina View project which will have a 250-room hotel

With the sites having cost close to $3 billion, the total investment will be around $5 billion.

MGPA bid for the two sites at separate public tenders just three months apart. It paid $1,409 per square foot per plot ratio (ppr) for the first parcel in September 2007 and $952.90 psf ppr for the second in November that year.

The second parcel does come with a requirement to provide a hotel component.

Speaking at the building agreement signing ceremony yesterday, MGPA CEO (Asia Investments) Simon Treacy said that there could be more bargains in the offing here.

‘The next six to nine months will have even better pricing available,’ he said.

Mr Treacy did not give details of future acquisitions here but was bullish on the office sector, where he believes rents can rise between 10 and 25 per cent this year.

MGPA’s Marina View development is expected to have a total gross floor area (GFA) of more than 2.6 million sq ft in two 40-storey-plus towers with a 20-metre-high podium.

According to the conditions of the tender, at least 70 per cent of the GFA of the first site must be developed as office space. The second site must have at least 60 per cent office space.

Also speaking at yesterday’s ceremony was MGPA CEO (Asia Developments) Michael Wilkinson, who revealed that there will be a 250-room luxury hotel. He also said that the retail podium is likely to have a significant number of F&B outlets to support the offices.

While a residential component is allowed, Mr Wilkinson said that this is not likely at the moment. However, he said that the design has not been finalised and MGPA is having ‘extensive discussions’ with the authorities to settle this.

MGPA has invested about $4.5 billion in Singapore over the last 15 months. Other major acquisitions include Temasek Tower, which it bought for $1.04 billion in March 2007.

Macquarie Global Property Unveils Plans For Marina View Land Parcels

Source : Channel NewsAsia, 18 March 2008

Macquarie Global Property Advisors (MGPA) says it expects office rentals in Singapore to remain hot, jumping by 10 to 25 percent this year.

The Australian private equity real estate fund management firm is converting two plots of land at Marina View into twin office blocks. The two towers, expected to be completed in 2012, will also house a luxury five-star hotel.

These land parcels drew top dollars from Macquarie Global Property last year. Costing a total of S$3 billion, the sites will soon enjoy a S$5 billion makeover.

Site B, which Macquarie won last December for just under S$953 million, and Site A, for S$2 billion in September - are both on a 99-year lease.

Formerly known as Marina View Parcels A and B, the two-hectare site will be transformed into twin luxury office buildings, one of which will also house a 220-room five-star hotel.

Macquarie expects to announce in the next 3 to 4 months who they will be working with on the hotel.

It says the towers, due to be completed between 2011 and 2012, are well-timed to catch the growing demand for office space.

Simon Treacy, CEO, Asia Investments, MGPA, said: "I think around Asia, we are extremely busy - we see good value emerging around the region. In Singapore, we also think that there will be increased demand in the office sector - rents are likely to grow 10 to 25 percent this year.

"I think over the medium term, people will be surprised because they've underestimated the demand in Singapore for modern international grade office space.

"And we've seen that in Japan for 2003 and this year in Hong Kong. And, I think it's a reflection of the solid economy of Singapore and the ongoing growth in a lot of the financial service sectors and wealth management in particular."

The towers will be more than 40 storeys high and designed by Australian architect Denton Corker Marshall, who also designed the Melbourne Museum and the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

About 60 percent of both buildings will be set aside for office use: Tower A will house 130,000 square metres, and Tower B, 113,580 square metres.

Besides this project, Macquarie Global Property says it is looking out for other bargains.

Mr Treacy said: "I think over the last two years, a lot of investors have probably overlooked and undervalued Southeast Asia. I think now people are seeing very good fundamentals down here, and I think our timing was very good in making a number of acquisitions. We still think there is a very good value in buying... over the next 6-9 months."

Office rentals in Singapore have been surging because of growing demand and a lack of supply. But more office space is expected to enter the market.

The government is targeting to double office space in the Central Business District to an estimated 2.82 million square metres. - CNA/ch

Marina Bay Prime Office Space Equal To HK Business Site

Source : The Straits Times, Feb 29, 2008

It'll be a 'seamless extension' of CBD, to rival London's and Hong Kong's

THE new Marina Bay growth area will be a 'seamless extension' of the Central Business District (CBD) and will offer a significant amount of office space, said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan yesterday.

LIVELY WATERFRONT: Fifteen years from now, the new Marina Bay financial district will provide premium office space, pedestrian-friendly covered walkways and an extensive underground network. -- PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Adjacent to Raffles Place and Shenton Way, it will be more than twice the size of London's Canary Wharf and provide as much premium office space as Hong Kong's Central district.

Mr Mah was responding to a question by Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) on plans to rejuvenate the CBD and develop Marina Bay.

Mr Mah said: 'Marina Bay remains the centrepiece of our efforts. It will be a seamless extension of Raffles Place, and will offer high-quality office spaces along a lively waterfront.'

The district will have a land area of 85ha, more than double the size of London's bustling financial and shopping hub, Canary Wharf.

It will also offer an estimated 2.82 million sq m of office space, the equivalent of Hong Kong's main business district.

Mr Mah also revealed that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will release more sites in this area over the next five to six years.

Once built, these projects will provide more than 1.1 million of office space - the total amount of office space in Raffles Place.

The new Marina Bay financial district is expected to take more than 15 years to materialise, he added.

Mr Mah also said the URA will release land around Tanjong Pagar and 'redevelop the Ophir-Rochor corridor into a vibrant office cluster'.

Mr Mah also addressed a query from Mr Zainudin Nordin (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) on having more underground connections between buildings in the downtown area.

He said Marina Bay will be a pedestrian-friendly area, with covered walkways on the ground and an extensive underground network linking developments to MRT stations.

He added that the Government is working to ease the office space crunch in both the short and long term.

In the short term, the Government has released land for transitional office sites and vacant state properties, which will yield 150,000 sq m of space. These spaces will be available within a year.

The Government has also temporarily disallowed the conversion of office space to other uses in the central area.

Over the long term, about 1.4 million sq m of office space, equal to about five years of supply, will be completed mostly in 2010 and beyond.

Mr Mah said: 'These measures are going to take some time to filter through to the market. I will suggest that in the meantime, tenants can look at alternative locations outside the central area.'

Marina Bay To Provide 1.1m Sq M Of Office Space

Source : The Business Times, February 29, 2008

YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT

It will become a seamless extension of Raffles Place, says Mah

THE upcoming financial district at Marina Bay will be twice the size of London's Canary Wharf and will provide as much Grade A office space as Hong Kong's Central.
















Revealing more plans for Singapore's new financial hub, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan told Parliament yesterday that Marina Bay remains the centrepiece of the government's efforts to provide more office space.

'URA (the Urban Redevelopment Authority) will make available more sites for development in this area over the next five to six years, in line with market demand,' he said. 'When completed, these new developments will provide more than 1.1 million sq m of office space, to match the total amount of office space at Raffles Place today.'

The area will become a seamless extension of Raffles Place, Mr Mah said. It is expected to take more than 15 years to materialise, depending on market demand.

The existing central business district will not be neglected, he said. URA will release land around the Tanjong Pagar precinct as well as redevelop the Ophir/Rochor corridor into an office cluster.

Mr Mah also touched on plans for Orchard Road, saying that URA plans to work with the private sector to build a pedestrian network with underground links, walkways at street level and second-storey links between buildings.

The Ministry of National Development will set out its land use plans for the next 10-15 years in the next few months in its Master Plan 2008. The plans have been developed with three key objectives in mind - to ensure that Singapore has sufficient land to support economic growth; to reduce commuting by bringing jobs closer to home; and to provide greater greenery and leisure options.

Addressing a now-hot topic, Mr Mah said that sustainable development will continue to be a priority.

To encourage environmentally friendly practices, the government will look at a range of measures including public education, research and development, and possibly legislation, he said.

More Office Space With New Extension In Marina Bay

Source : Channel NewsAsia, 28 February 2008

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said in Parliament on Thursday that the government has set aside a new growth area in Marina Bay. This will yield an estimated 2.8 million sqm of gross floor area for office use.

The future vision of Marina Bay - URA Photo

Marina Bay – a centrepiece of efforts to ensure there is sufficient office space to meet future needs – will be a seamless extension of the current Central Business District at Raffles Place.

At 85 hectares, the new growth area will be more than twice the size of Raffles Place, which now spans 31 hectares.

About 40 percent of the available office space has already been taken up by developments such as One Raffles Quay, the Marina Bay Financial Centre and white sites at Marina View.

Mr Mah said: "To give you an idea of its eventual scale, the amount of space that will be generated within the area located immediately adjacent to the existing financial district at Raffles Place and Shenton Way will be equivalent to two Canary Wharfs in London.

"It will provide as much Grade A office space as Hong Kong's Central. URA will make available more sites for development in this area over the next five to six years, in line with market demand."

More land will also be released around Tanjong Pagar, as well as redevelopment plans for the Ophir and Rochor area to transform it into a vibrant office cluster.

Mr Mah said the office market will remain tight until 2009. But some 1.4 million sqm of office space should become available in 2010 and beyond.

To ease the supply crunch, the government will continue to release land for transitional office sites.

The office developments at Scotts and Anthony Roads – two parcels on short-term leases of 15 years – could be completed by mid-2009.

These transitional office land parcels will join three others awarded previously at Scotts Road, Tampines Avenue 5 and Mountbatten Road. - CNA/so