trip to the bank
Is Singapore destined to be devoid of architectural heritage, save for dolled- up shophouses and caricatures of our colonial past? Can we do anything to prevent this monument from en bloc sale to souless real estate developers who only value the building in terms of unmaximized GFA and it prime city site?
I don't know, I can only hope for the best.
Save Pearlbank!
I don't know, I can only hope for the best.
Save Pearlbank!
posted by kit @ 2:03 AM
9 Comments:
how could you manage to get inside?
bribed someone? haha
honkit the burglar... sneaked in at 2am...
The owner of the 37th floor penthouse 1 graciously hosted Rojak07, an art sharing session.
But unfortunately, the building may be put up for en bloc sale by mercenary owners to unscrupulous developers. The future of the building is looking rather dim.
You can now call up to arrange a visit to the penthouse. check out, http://www.poole-associates.com/ . Go while you still can.
Did the public say anything about it? any organization trying to rise up the issue and project it?
btw. i am really amused by the stairs.
nah, singaporeans couldn't care less about architecture, moreover, most non-architects thinks that the building is ugly.
You should come to singapore to see it before it gets torn down!
Kit,
can you please revise your blog. The GFA for pearlbank is 100% utilized. If a developer were to re-build, the current GFA is actually lower than in 1976, and with the 99 year lease running down, something like 54 million would need to be paid for a lease top-up.
visit www.pearlbankapartements.com for current news about the building. at 23rd Feb 2007 only 46% have signed for enblock. Let's hope that all the commotion from Rojak will wake more people up to the gem that is Pearlbank. And yes, if anyone out there wants to view Penthosue One, just call us at 6536 3928. the doors will be opened about once a month. Visit www.poole-associates.com for date and time.
Interesting fact that you brought up. I'll be very interested if you could tell me where i can find the actual figures for the GFA regulations.
I'm no expert in real estate but I can see great potential in reclaiming the "wasted" GFA that are currently accounted for by the generous corridors and the numerous staircases. Further GFA (up to 10% above the planning cap) can be reaped by constructing open balconies, a strategy which will easily be approved by URA due to its location beside Pearl Hill. Perhaps even more GFA can be squeezed out if the site qualifies for the city lighting scheme.
Furthermore, the fantastic city site adjacent to a park and within walking distance of an MRT station allows the developer to market the new project as premium residential development ;and charge significantly more than what pearlbank apartments currently sell for, which is rather low for its location.
The multiple attempts at enbloc sale show that there is money to be made from the site.
Anyway, great to hear that the en bloc sale did not go through.
hi, i think that conserving the apartment is much of a sentimental value. i love pearl bank to bit personally. however, as a home owner in pearl bank apt, having the apt conserved will cause me (and other home owners in the apt) great financial lost comparing to having it enbloc... and i cant support sentimental value if my financial status is threatened.
should there be a special compensation then for home owners if the building is so much of architectural value?
hey hon kit!
i surfed by thru re:act, thru hann's.. just dropping by to say hi and that i really appreciate the pearl bank too =) nice pictures you've put up as well!
cheers
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