New Singapore apartments go to great heights
Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Singapore
The Singapore skyline has changed markedly over the years, and more is in store as its planners look to the skies -- and the sea -- for inspiration.
For many people, the Merlion, the fanciful creature with a lion's head and fish tail, is what characterizes Singapore. The city- state's mascot appears on all manner of objects, from key chains, T-shirts, ashtrays and all manner of other typical accessories.
Singapore postcards have another favorite object to depict: the beautiful skyline of the modern office complexes on the southern coast of the island.
On the reclaimed land facing Marina Bay, tall buildings meet chic restaurants, work and leisure collide, and art comes to life in the bright Esplanade theater -- or the "durian" compound, as some prefer to call it.
However, in five years, these postcards will be deemed obsolete, an image of the way things were.
A high-rise complex of apartment buildings -- the first in the area -- will forever change the Singapore skyline. The Sail @ Marina Bay, as the icon is called, is set to be the tallest residential development in Singapore and the 10th tallest in the world.
The two towers will comprise 70 storey and 63 storey of luxurious apartments, with the highest tip soaring at 245 meters above water.
"It was important to create an innovative building design not seen before," Peter Pran, the principal designer contracted by a joint venture of Singapore-based City Developments Limited (CDL) and AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp.
"We hope that this building will be a new image that redefines the city."
Located in the downtown Central Business District area, the apartment building is part of the government's plan to transform its city center into a global waterfront hub.
"Some 65 percent of the tenants will have the spectacular view of the water," said Peter. "In a big city, the best sites deserve to be used by many people, and in my opinion, this is the best site of Singapore."
With 1,111 units, offering from one to four bedrooms as well as penthouses, there will be plenty of tenants to indulge in idyllic sunsets or cozy afternoons there. Even without the spectacular view of the water, they will be able enjoy the central park, planned to be developed next to the complex.
The Sail's dynamic exterior curves are complemented by the sleek interior, designed to fully address the need of Singaporeans to use the space both as a place to work and to relax.
The bedrooms use an aluminum frame with clear glass doors that give a sense of separate rooms yet also make the apartments look more spacious. Sliding panels can also use tinted glass for tenants in need of more privacy.
This design is especially useful for the studio apartments from 55 square meters (sq m) to 64 sq m. For the bathroom, tenants can opt choose between a tub or a shower cubicle. There is also a small walk-in closet next to the bathroom.
A bomb shelter, as required by Singapore law, is provided for two-bedroom units and larger ones. The space can be used for storage or as a small wine cellar.
Large windows facing in all directions make sure that no one misses the breathtaking view of the waterfront.
The three and four bedroom units are complemented with spacious dining and living rooms. In order to create a sleek, contemporary and futuristic look, materials including metal, wood, marble and glass were used.
Timber flooring in the bedroom, study and living room in the apartment units create a more relaxed atmosphere. Marble tiles are used for the penthouses for a luxurious ambience.
The developers are confident that market, not only local but overseas, will welcome the new establishment.
"I have already received some queries from friends in Indonesia for the Sail," CDL executive chairman Kwek Leng Beng said during the launching event in Singapore in late October.
And the waterfront in Singapore is certainly more beautiful than Jakarta. "Have you seen the water in Jakarta?" he said jokingly.
With prices starting at about S$450,000 for a studio apartment, prospective buyers seem be quite enthusiastic. The first 250 units released have already been snapped up.
Two hundred more units, at a slightly higher price, were released on Nov. 11 to meet the increasing demand. The developers have since then conducted road shows in Jakarta and Hong Kong, and plans to go to Dubai, Taipei, and London.
On the net: www.cdl.com.sg