Going, going, gone
Modern buildings of Singapore as an emerging nation deserve closer look before they go under the wrecker’s ball or replaced quietly EVERY now and then, a middle-aged man shuffles into the Boys’ Brigade headquarters in Ganges Avenue, off Zion Road, taking pensive looks at its wooden windows, sunny corridors and tiny canteen fitted with a … Read more
Endangered landmarks
TAN HUI YEE looks at some special buildings and structures currently not protected Pandan Valley condominium Ulu Pandan Road Then: Built in 1978, this was one of Singapore’s first condominiums. The pioneering design by Archurban Architects Planners made use of the natural contours of the valley to create a spacious condominium with terraced gardens. The … Read more
Building conservation: French lessons
A SEMINAL post-war housing project in France could provide some ideas for building owners seeking viable ways to conserve their property. Designed by French architect Le Corbusier, Unite d’Habitation in the city of Marseille is an 18-storey slab block that can house up to 1,600 people. It comes with an internal ’shopping street’, a gymnasium … Read more
Asia Insurance Building: Saved… but it’s a numbers game
Once the tallest building in S-E Asia, the old Asia Insurance Building was saved when its new owners were granted an extra 14 per cent in floor area IT WAS the first modern high-rise building in the Collyer Quay area and once the tallest building in Southeast Asia. Yet the groundbreaking Asia Insurance Building faced … Read more
Nassim Park Residences: Wee family goes condo-shopping
Its members pick up three units in Nassim Park Residences for $40m MEMBERS of the Wee family have bought three units at Nassim Park Residences near Botanic Gardens for a total of nearly $40 million, a filing by UOL Group to Singapore Exchange (SGX) on Wednesday shows. Wee Ee Cheong, CEO of United Overseas Bank … Read more
Emerging markets weather property bust in the West
Urbanisation, rising incomes fuelling demand in Brazil, Russia, India, China WESTERN housing bust or not, real estate in emerging markets continues to be hot property. The global credit crunch sent property prices skidding in developed markets from the United States to Spain, but it seemed to have done little to slow the real estate sector … Read more
Steel contractor snags $83m of IR sub-contracts
STEEL contractor Yongnam Holdings has clinched two integrated resort (IR) sub-contracts worth a total of $83.35 million. One deal calls on the Singapore-listed firm to fabricate and erect structural steelworks for the ArtScience museum to be built by Penta-Ocean Construction at the Marina Bay Sands IR. The deal is worth $41.35 million. The second sub-contract, … Read more
Indian property trust’s $263m from IPO less than hoped for
INDIABULLS Properties Investment Trust has raised a total of $262.5 million from an initial public offer (IPO), below the maximum $288.8 million it sought. The Indian real estate trust yesterday said it sold 262.5 million shares at $1 apiece, at the bottom of an indicated band of between $1 and $1.10. The lower pricing came … Read more
Raffles Hotels to bring its brand to Moscow
RAFFLES Hotels will leave its mark in the Russian capital with a new namesake luxury hotel set to open here in 2011. It inked a management agreement here yesterday with Russian firm ALT Corporation, which is bringing the Raffles brand to Russia. Raffles Moscow will be owned by ALT Corporation and managed by Singapore’s Raffles … Read more
Raffles Hotels makes its mark in Moscow
RAFFLES Hotels & Resorts yesterday signed a management contract to stamp its brand on a 130-room luxury hotel a stone’s throw from Red Square and the Kremlin. Opening in 2011, Raffles Moscow will be housed in a mid-17th century building – and is likely the oldest heritage building in Raffles’ portfolio of 22 hotels. Located … Read more
