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Thread: Pearl Bank Apartments sold: What makes the development so iconic?

  1. #1
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    Default Pearl Bank Apartments sold: What makes the development so iconic?

    http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...ent-so-iconic?

    Pearl Bank Apartments sold: What makes the development so iconic?

    Pearl Bank Apartments is a 99-year leasehold development built on a 82,376 sq ft triangular site atop Pearl's Hill.


    Pearl Bank Apartments is a 99-year leasehold development built on a 82,376 sq ft triangular site atop Pearl's Hill.PHOTO: ST FILE

    Ng Huiwen
    13/02/18


    The iconic Pearl Bank Apartments in Outram was sold to developer CapitaLand on Tuesday (Feb 13) for $728 million, in its fourth collective sale attempt over the past decade.

    CapitaLand plans to redevelop the site into a high-rise residential development comprising around 800 units with "social, shared facilities".

    Here are six reasons why the development is so iconic:

    1. Govt's first land-sales site launched exclusively for residential development

    Pearl Bank Apartments is a 99-year leasehold development built on a 82,376 sq ft triangular site atop Pearl's Hill, near the Central Business District.

    Located at 1, Pearl Bank, this was the Government's first land-sales site launched exclusively for residential development in 1969.

    2. It was among the pioneers of high-rise, high-density living in Singapore

    When Pearl Bank Apartments was completed in 1976, the 37-storey development became the tallest residential building in Singapore at the time at 113m tall.

    With 280 units, it had the highest density of apartments for a private residential development.


    Great thought also went into the layout at Pearl Bank Apartments. PHOTO: ST FILE

    There are eight penthouses and 272 split-level units that are either two-, three- or four-bedroom apartments, with eight units to a floor.

    In addition, it was also one of the first condominium buildings here to offer communal amenities such as swimming pools and clubhouses.

    The development includes eight commercial units. Its gross plot ratio is 7.4479.

    3. Plenty of thought went into its unique horse-shoe design

    The building was designed by local architect Tan Cheng Siong of Archurban Architects Planners. While he was tasked to fit the maximum number of apartments within the site, he also ensured that its unique horse-shoe design fulfilled a purpose.

    The block's horse-shoe opening faces west, shading the building from the afternoon sun.


    Pearl Bank Apartments’ shorter inner facade is for access and services. ST PHOTO: CALVIN LOW

    In an interview with Straits Times in 2012, Mr Tan said that he was influenced by French architect Le Corbusier, a pioneer of Modern architecture.

    The bold design was a statement of nationhood, he added.

    "This was the new Singapore. We wanted to show that it has what it takes to survive," he said.

    4. It offers great city views

    Great thought also went into the layout at Pearl Bank Apartments. The living rooms and bedrooms are at the front, giving unobstructed city views.

    At the 37th floor, one gets a bird's eye view of the southern part of Singapore, with a view of the sea on a clear day.

    Utilities and service areas are situated at the rear, overlooking a courtyard.

    5. It was first put up for an en bloc sale a decade ago

    Pearl Bank Apartments was first put up for collective sale in 2007, before two more attempts in 2008 and 2011.

    This rallied a small group of residents to save the landmark building, led by American architect Ed Poole. He hired a lawyer and even started a website pearlbankapartments.com to raise awareness of its architectural importance.

    In a 2014 Straits Times report, Mr Poole, who lives in a penthouse unit, said: "Pearl Bank is irreplaceable.

    "There is no way you can find another apartment like Pearl Bank in Singapore."

    6. Plans to gazette Pearl Bank for conservation failed

    In 2015, the owners sought a conservation order for the building and at the same time applied to increase its gross floor area.

    As part of their vision, they hoped to sell this extra development quantum to a developer, who could then build a second apartment block on top of their five-storey carpark.


    A view of Pearl Bank Apartments, Pearls Centre and People's Park Complex, on Nov 21, 2014. PHOTO: ST FILE

    With the proceeds, the owners will then retrofit the existing building.

    However, plans to gazette it for conservation did not materialise as the liaison committee failed to obtain the required 100 per cent approval from the owners.

    About 90 per cent of residents had backed the proposal.

  2. #2
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    Pearl Bank may not be spared the wrecking ball

    Pearl Bank Apartments will likely not be conserved despite the wishes of heritage lovers and the Singapore architect who designed it.

    Feb 18, 2018

    Iconic condo's sale deal does not mention conservation plans, but buyer CapitaLand to look into blending heritage elements

    Janice Tai
    Social Affairs Correspondent


    It was once Singapore's tallest residential building and remains a landmark four decades down the road, but the horseshoe-shaped Pearl Bank Apartments could well fall victim to a demolition crew.

    The building - sold to developer CapitaLand in a collective sale last Tuesday - will likely not be conserved despite the wishes of heritage lovers and the Singapore architect who designed it.

    Pearl Bank Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) chairman Cecilia Seet and Ms Tang Wei Leng, managing director of marketing agent Colliers International, told The Sunday Times that there are no plans to conserve Pearl Bank.

    However, CapitaLand promised to "look into blending the heritage elements with modern aesthetics" in the new building to "reflect the rich, multifaceted culture of Chinatown".

    Ms Seet said more than 80 per cent of owners signed the collective sale agreement (CSA) to sell Pearl Bank. "There is no conservation mentioned in the CSA. Majority of the owners are in favour of redevelopment and hence their agreement to the collective sale. We have no proposed plans for conservation," she added.

    Pearl Bank Apartments was sold to CapitaLand for $728 million, making it fourth time lucky for the condominium in Outram Park.

    Owners of the 288 apartments, which range in size from 1,323 sq ft to 3,993 sq ft, stand to receive between $1.8 million and $4.9 million.

    The owners of the eight commercial units, which vary from 700 sq ft to 5,630 sq ft, could reap between $1.2 million and $6.9 million.

    Pearl Bank's architect, Mr Tan Cheng Siong, 81, told The Straits Times on the day the deal was announced that it is his "hope and desire" that the new owner will conserve the tower.

    Pearl Bank's architect, Mr Tan Cheng Siong, called for Pearl Bank Apartments to be conserved. PHOTO: ST FILE

    "The redevelopment formula does not have to comprise only tearing down a structure, especially if the original building has high architectural and heritage value," he added.

    Other architects also called for the condo to be conserved, citing its unique architecture and design, as well as its historical significance.

    After all, the building was among the pioneers of high-rise, high-density living here.

    The Urban Redevelopment Authority had said previously that there are merits in Pearl Bank's conservation, given that the building set standards for later condo developments on provision of communal amenities such as common areas, clubhouses and shops.

    However, the owners do not share such sentiments.

    "While Pearl Bank Apartments - completed in 1976 - has been a visible landmark in Outram, the ageing building no longer adequately meets the residents' needs, and the costs involved to upkeep the premises are high," Ms Seet added.

    She noted that it costs about $2.5 million to maintain and repair key facilities every two years.

    As MCST chairman, she has had to deal with numerous complaints from residents over leaking pipes that caused flooding and sparked quarrels among neighbours.

    There were 84 cases of pipe leaks last year and more than $20,000 was spent on lift maintenance.

    There are also no barrier-free access features in the building, making it an unfriendly environment for some elderly residents.

    These were some of the reasons most owners had agreed to a collective sale as early as 2007, said Ms Seet. Owners had attempted three sales - in 2007, 2008 and 2011 - that failed, possibly due to poor market timing.

    Ms Seet said those failed attempts and the reality of an ageing property in need of repairs likely prompted more than 90 per cent of the owners to back a proposal to conserve the building in 2015.

    Back then, the owners had wanted to increase its gross floor area and sell this extra space so a developer could build a second apartment block on top of their five-storey carpark. The proceeds would have allowed the owners to retrofit the existing building, but there was not enough backing for the proposal.

    Unit owner Edward Phang said some owners were not keen on the conservation plan as they would have had to live with the noise and dust from the construction of the new building and the decrepit state of the old one.

    Mrs Phang bought the unit about a decade ago and has rented it out. It used to fetch $6,000 a month but now it gets only about $2,000.

    "There are a lot of repairs needed and I have received six to seven complaints on water seepage. It is everyone's prayers for the en bloc to go through," said the retired doctor.

    Ms Tang said it is difficult to know when residents will have to vacate. Typically, it takes about six months to get various regulatory approvals. Once these have been obtained, the parties have three months to complete the transaction. Then residents have six months to vacate.

    CapitaLand said it plans to redevelop the site into a high-rise project of around 800 units, with a finish date in early 2023.

    Mrs Phang noted: "I like the exterior design of the building and I admire the architect's talent. But the discussion about fighting for heritage is from observers, and we owners have to bear the financial and ill-health costs that come with any construction, which is unsustainable.

    "I think the best way out is for the new building to be redeveloped in a way that preserves the essence of the architect's design - its circular structure - and allows new units to have the existing great views."

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