South Beach Mixed Development

Development Overview:
South Beach is a mixed-use development, strategically located on Beach Rd bordering Singapore’s CBD. A joint venture between CDL and IOI, the development seamlessly blends 4 historic buildings on site (formerly military buildings &NCO Club of the old Beach Road Camp) with 2 new 45- and 34-storey towers. The integrated development comprises approx 500,000 sq ft Grade A office space, 190 luxury residences, a 654 rm designer hotel, around 37,000 sq ft of retail space & an approx 29,000 sq ft club. The development’s convenient location directly links it to the Esplanade MRT station & City Hall MRT Interchange. Through an extensive network of arterial roads & expressways, Singapore’s prime business hub – com- prising Raffles Place & the Marina Bay Financial Centre – can be reached in a mere 5 mins, while Orchard Rd and Changi Airport are under 15 mins away. With a distinctive design including a state-of the-art environmental canopy, South Beach has already won 2 Green Mark Platinum awards & is set to be the new defining structure in Singapore’s vibrant skyline.

The path to the vision – Project Brief & Background:
From the beginning, it was clear the Beach Road Camp was a unique site on several counts: its strategic location on the cusp of the emerging new city centre & bordering the Civic District; the easy access to several major arterial roads, expressways & MRT stations; & a unique history synonymous with the dramatic rise of modern Singapore from its days as a British colonial outpost. The development would not only make a strong architectural statement in terms of design & use of green technology but also act as a catalyst for regeneration of the immediate surroundings. The winning bid that was awarded by URA in Sep 2007 to a consortium led by CDL ticked all the right boxes: impact on the city skyline; provision of ample public spaces; quality of design & architecture; etc.

A significant aspect of the design is the Integration of heritage with ecological design: it cleverly amalgamates the 4 historical buildings with 2 modern towers. The old buildings are restored & given a new lease of life complimenting the mixed uses on this site. South Beach’s most striking feature will be an undulating alum & steel canopy that rises & dips in waves over the heritage buildings & links them with the 2 soaring highrises. Apart from coalescing the architecturally disparate buildings into a seamless whole, the canopy draws in natural light & provide shade against the sun & rain. The canopy soars upwards onto the east-facade of 1 tower & west side of the other, shielding them from the sun & directing wind flow into the ground spaces. At ground level a pedestrian walkway, embellished with lush, landscaping, tiered gardens & sunken courtyards, links up with the MRT station. Restaurants, cafés & shops along the walkway provide a welcome diversion & bring the bustling street life into the area. Ecological design meeting stunning Architecture!!