Singaporeans Bid Farewell To ‘Little Thailand’
Golden Mile Complex Tenants To Move Out By May 2023 Following Successful En Bloc Sale
Known for its Thai eateries, supermarkets, and night establishments, Golden Mile Complex has a special place in many Singaporeans’ hearts, especially for those who frequently head down for their late-night mookata fix.
But with the S$700-million en bloc sale finalised earlier this year, some feared that ‘Little Thailand’ may soon be no more. Recent developments have now proven this to be true. On 10 Aug, Edmund Tie & Company, the real estate firm in charge of the sale, announced that the building would be vacated and handed over to the developers by May 2023.
In other words, the renowned Thai establishments in the complex will soon have to move out of the iconic mall. While some stall owners plan on retiring, others plan on relocating. Regardless of their decisions, most of them will leave the iconic mall with feelings of nostalgia. Some Golden Mile Complex tenants mull retirement while others relocate.
End of 'Little Thailand': Tenants to move out of Golden Mile Complex before May 2023
Tenants of Golden Mile Complex will have to vacate the premises before the building is handed over to the developers come May 2023, following a successful en bloc sale.
Edmund Tie & Company, the real estate consultancy managing the sale, announced on Aug. 10 that a sale order has been obtained from the Strata Titles Board for the en bloc sale of Golden Mile Complex. It was obtained on Aug. 3, the announcement said. With it, the en bloc sale will proceed. Legal completion of the sale is expected by November 2022. The commercial area in the building has amassed a majority of Thai eateries, grocery stores, and bars, among other businesses. It has become a community over time, attracting Thai folks in Singapore who either work at or frequent the shops, as well as locals who enjoy patronising the businesses there.
Over the years, these added to the character of Golden Mile Complex, christened "Little Thailand" by patrons. With the coming redevelopment of the building, tenants and patrons alike expressed sadness at the loss of a rare communal gem, Shin Min Daily News reported. Some businesses plan to move, others close for good.
An ode to Golden Mile Complex: Singapore's architectural wonder & cultural icon
The handover in May 2023 will mark the end of an era for Golden Mile Complex
Golden Mile Complex, the iconic building that stands along Beach Road, will soon herald a new era. This building holds a special place to many who once lived, worked and played here.
Although the building's facade will be conserved, its essence can only live on in our memories. Before the grand dame takes her final bow, here is an ode to our cultural icon — from architectural wonder to Little Thailand and underground music playground. With its striking Brutalist architecture, Golden Mile Complex was set to be an icon along Beach Road and Nicoll Highway, where the "Golden Mile" of offices, hotels, shops, and upscale residences were slated to be. For that reason, it pioneered the concept of mixed-use developments, incorporating residences, offices, retail, and entertainment all into one. The generous balconies and panoramic views offered by its stepped terrace made the spot hugely popular for residences among the wealthy.
Even though plans for the area had changed, Golden Mile Complex continued to flourish in the 1980s. Its central location was a favourite destination for tour buses from Thailand and Malaysia, and in turn attracted many Thai businesses. Soon, it became an enclave bringing together Thai cuisines, products, and lifestyles in Singapore. It also became a popular spot for music and nightlife that brought in a diverse crowd — even its rooftop became a destination for flea markets and music festivals.
related:
SOUND ONLY || Little Thailand: Sunday 3pm, March 2023: Golden Mile Complex, Singapore
The iconic Golden Mile Complex, Little Thailand in Singapore will be en-blocked, and all the business and residents need to move out by May 2023.
When I visited in end of March, more than half of businesses seem to be already closed, that made me really sad. I came here to eat Thai food before or after movies at the projector. As soon as i stepped in, the smell and sounds I experience is like no other place and I loved it.
With this very unique architecture from the 70s’, this place was filled with everything of Thailand - fresh produce, dry goods, clothes, many many restaurants and karaoke bar and thai disco, you will be missed very dearly!
Golden Mile Complex gazetted as conserved building
The Golden Mile Complex was built in the 1970s and designed by local architects Gan Eng Oon, William Lim and Tay Kheng Soon. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
The iconic Golden Mile Complex, which resembles a typewriter with its terraced facade and towering columns, has been conserved.
Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on Friday (Oct 22) announced that the 16-storey building has been gazetted as a conserved building, one year after the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) had proposed to do so. To address concerns from building owners that conservation may affect the chances of a collective sale, the URA will offer a package of incentives to make development options for the site more attractive to potential buyers.
In a statement, URA added that the package was devised based on the site's attributes, including its "exceptional standing as a rare and iconic landmark from Singapore's initial years of post-war nation building". In its proposal last year, the URA said Singapore has thus far conserved more than 7,200 buildings, with most of them dating from the colonial period. With its conservation, Golden Mile Complex joins a handful of other post-independence heritage buildings like the Singapore Conference Hall and Jurong Town Hall to be legally protected.
related:
Farewell Golden Mile Complex? Residents open up about their love-hate relationship with the landmark
Golden Mile Complex gazetted as conserved building
Golden Mile Complex, which was built in 1973, was designed by DP Architects. (Photo: ET&Co)
The iconic Golden Mile Complex has been gazetted as a conserved building, a year after the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) had proposed to do so.
This makes it the first modern, large-scale, strata-titled development to be conserved in Singapore, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced on Friday (Oct 22).
Golden Mile Complex, located along Beach Road and Nicoll Highway, is recognisable by its signature step-terraced facade. Completed in 1973, the 16-storey building was one of the first high-rise, mixed-use developments in Singapore.
related:
Conserved building Golden Mile Complex sold en bloc for S$700 million to consortium
Built in 1973, Golden Mile Complex was gazetted as a conserved building in October 2021 in light of its historical and architectural significance
Golden Mile Complex has been sold for S$700 million to a consortium comprising Perennial Holdings, Sino Land, and Far East Organization, its sole marketing agent Edmund Tie said on Friday (May 6).
This comes after the agent received “overwhelming support” for the sale – garnering more than 80 per cent of owners’ consent in terms of both strata area and share value within a “record time of 15 days”, it said in a letter to owners in April. The sale of the landmark is subject to the approval by the Strata Titles Board.
Edmund Tie’s head of investment advisory, Ms Swee Shou Fern, said this marks Singapore’s first collective sale of a large strata-titled development as a conserved building. Built in 1973, the 16-storey building was gazetted as a conserved building in October last year in light of its historical and architectural significance.
related:
Singapore Iconic Buildings: Golden Mile Complex
Golden Mile used to be called Woh Hup Complex
Completed in 1973, this 16-storey building is a mish-mash of 400 shops, 220 offices and 70 apartments. Originally called Woh Hup Complex, it was designed by William Lim, Tay Kheng Soon and Gan Eng Oon, who were part of Design Partnership, now known as DP Architects. Located along Beach Road, the building, together with Golden Mile Tower next door and The Plaza, were intended to raise a ‘Golden Mile’ of modern skyscrapers.
First Stepped Terrace Building in Singapore - Golden Mile Complex was designed as a high-density, vertical ‘self-contained’ city. The building has a ‘stepped-back terrace’ form, the first of its kind in Singapore. On one side, it gave offices and apartments unobstructed views of the seafront, with terraces for small gardens, and on the other side, the reversed tiers meant that each floor shaded the floor below from the sun. The shallow, staggered profile also allowed for better ventilation and lighting. Scenic views of the sea are shaded from direct sun.
In August 2018, it was announced that the building is going en bloc as 724 owners of 550 units have signed the collective sale agreement – representing 80.83 per cent of the total share value of the development – and the required approval of 80 per cent has been met. In October 2021, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced that Golden Mile Complex has been gazetted as a conserved building. In May 2022, news broke that Golden Mile Complex was sold to a trio of Perennial Holdings, Sino Land, and Far East Organization for $700 million. Shop and business owners were also asked to move out by May 2023.
Golden Mile Complex
Golden Mile Complex in the 1970s (Photo credit: Urban Redevelopment Authority)
A prototypical module from an idealistic architectural vision, Golden Mile Complex could have been replicated along the entire coastline to form a theoretically rigorous ‘linear city’, a self-sufficient megastructure serviced by efficient transport links. Appropriated by the immigrant Thai population, the building is now an all-encompassing little Thailand, maximising its potential as a mixed-use development.
Formerly known as Woh Hup Complex, this 16-storey building was designed as a module in an idealistic vision for the urban development of Kallang basin in the form of a megastructure. Drawing influence from the “Linear City” proposals by renowned architects Le Corbusier and Soria y Mata, it was intended to be serviced by a Mass Rapid Transit Line and Pedestrian spine running parallel to Beach Road. Robust infrastructure was not the only convenience that the complex was intended to benefit from. A pioneering mixed use development (incorporating offices, shopping, entertainment and apartment living), proximities between live, work and play were to be significantly reduced. To accommodate the various functions, the building took on the form of highly articulated steps atop a podium, with the podium containing most of the public spaces while the terraces accommodated the apartment units, replete with generous balconies and a panoramic view of the sea and sky.
Despite this compact situation, the architects employed several clever manoeuvres to facilitate natural lighting and ventilation, such as in the use of multiple atria and the deliberate offset of one stepped section from the other. Over time, the podium portion of the complex has become synonymous with two types of businesses, bus tour operators and shops which serve the local Thai population. Together with the offices and apartments above, and foreigners arriving by bus, the building is a hodgepodge of cultures. The positive mixture of people within such a visionary design has led to global recognition of Golden Mile Complex’s success as a work of architecture.
Golden Mile Complex
The stepped terrace structure of Golden Mile Complex. The open-air swimming pool is pictured on the extreme right side of Golden Mile Complex
Golden Mile Complex, formerly known as Woh Hup complex, was opened in 1973 and built as part of the Singapore government’s urban renewal scheme. The complex cost a total of SGD$18 million to build. “Golden Mile” refers to the strip of land between Nicoll Highway and Beach Road. Golden Mile Complex is notable for being one of Singapore’s first mixed-use developments, with the complex being made up of shops, offices and residences. In 2019, Golden Mile Complex has been slated for en bloc sales and redevelopment purposes. Golden Mile Complex was designed by DP Architects, Gan Eng Oon, William Lim and Tay Kheng Soon. The complex followed a Brutalist style - a concept in architectural design that produced harsh, block-like buildings. The Brutalist style was popular from the 1950s to 1970s. Rising to a total of 16 stories, the first to ninth floors of the Golden Mile Complex had been allocated to commercial and business use. These floors have been occupied by a variety of vendors, ranging from Thai supermarkets and amulet stores to creative practices.
There are a total of 68 apartments that make up the tenth to sixteenth floors of Golden Mile Complex. The balconies of these apartments form the stepped-terrace design, ensuring that the tenants will have an uninterrupted view of the scenery from their balcony. From the balcony, tenants are able to have an unrestricted view of the coastline of Kallang Basin. Golden Mile Complex once had a functioning swimming pool for the residents, complete with barbeque pits built on the fifth level. The swimming pool was closed and emptied in 2003. Golden Mile Complex was included as a tour venue in the Singapore Architectural festival in 2007. The architecture of Golden Mile Complex has been recognised and praised by the international community. The design of the building was validated by famous Dutch architect, Rem Koolhaas, and Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, Fumihiko Maki, for the unique layout and interesting design.
Golden Mile Complex has a distinct Thai culture, and has been recognised in popular culture as “Little Thailand”. The name came about due to the large amount of That people, especially Thai construction workers, who visit the complex during the weekend. There are also a large number of shops selling Thai products, such as Thai restaurants, massage parlours and even a supermarket selling Thai products. A Thai buddhist temple, Phra Phrom Temple, is located right outside the complex. Golden Mile Complex also celebrates the Songkran festival, which is a traditional Thai festival. During the annual Songkran festival in April, residents, shop-owners and customers splash water and engage in water-gun fights with one another on the ground floor of the mall.
Golden Mile Complex
Golden Mile Complex (Chinese: 黄 金 坊; pinyin: Huángjīn fāng) is a high-rise commercial and residential building on Beach Road in Kallang, Singapore, within walking distance to Nicoll Highway MRT station. The building was formerly known as Woh Hup Complex. The complex contains 411 shops and 500 parking spaces. The building is largely an ethnic enclave for the Thai population in Singapore.
In 1966, the Urban Renewal Department of the Housing and Development Board was formed to facilitate greater flexibility and autonomy in comprehensive redevelopment of Singapore's Central Area. The Golden Mile Complex development was the result of the department's first Sales of Sites programme in 1967. The "Golden Mile" refers to the strip of land between Nicoll Highway and Beach Road. It was planned by the Singapore Government as a high-rise spine fronting Kallang Basin. The area used to be occupied by squatters and small marine industries. Built at a cost of S$18 million and completed in 1973, the 16-storey Golden Mile Complex is one of the early pioneers of integrating multiple operations into a single mixed-use development in Singapore. Today, the complex's shopping mall houses numerous Thai clubs, shops and eateries, as well as tourist and ticketing agencies for travellers going to Malaysia by bus or coach. A minor upgrading was carried out on the Golden Mile Complex building in 1983, when tinted glass was added to the Beach Road façade to achieve the desired overall thermal transfer value rating. In 1986, the whole building was redecorated.
In March 2006, the Golden Mile Complex was described as a "vertical slum", "terrible eyesore" and "national disgrace" by Singapore Nominated Member of Parliament Ivan Png: "Each individual owner acts selfishly, adding extensions, zinc sheets, patched floors, glass, all without any regard for other owners and without any regard for the national welfare." The residents have also done over their balconies to create an extra room. The Golden Mile Complex, which is located on a 99-year leasehold site starting from 1969, has been planned to be put up for an en bloc sale. On 11 August 2018, 80% of the owners signed an agreement agreeing to sell the complex in an en-block sale. On 22 October 2021, the Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced the gazetting of the Golden Mile Complex as a conserved building. The Urban Redevelopment Authority announced incentives for potential buyers, such as allowing them to build a new tower block next to the conserved building. In May 2022, the complex was sold to a consortium (Perennial Holdings Private Limited, Sino Land and Far East Organization) for $700 million.
Iconic Cathay Cineplex to close after Jun 26 2022 after 83 Years
Operating since before the Second World War, The Cathay is one building in Singapore that is close to our hearts.
Be it sneaking out to catch one of the Avengers movies or booking tickets with the family, we all have our unique memories of the iconic cinema. Unfortunately, The Cathay closed down on Sunday (26 Jun). Many were here to witness its last day, either to watch a screening or simply immortalise the classic signage at the front in photographs.
Here are some Singaporeans’ fondest memories of the cinema — and their opinions on the closure. The wistfulness of seeing one of Singapore’s few cinema halls go was certainly tangible that night. Moviegoers started thronging the area in front of The Cathay, taking one last shot of the striking vertical neon sign.
Jurong Bird Park to close 3 Jan 2023 after 52 years
Jurong Bird Park, one of Singapore's oldest and most iconic attractions, has announced that it will cease operations and shut its doors after more than 50 years.
However, there is some good news. The world-famous park -- home to some 3,500 birds including parrots, flamingos, penguins and eagles -- will join the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, as well as a new luxury Banyan Tree resort, to form an eco-tourism hub in northern Singapore. Jurong Bird Park's last day of operations at its current location will be January 3, 2023, 52 years to the day since opening in 1971. The upcoming Mandai eco hub is slated to open in 2023.
"There are many of us who joined the organization in its early days and have been here over the decades," the park's vice president Daisy Ling said in a statement on Tuesday, August 30, announcing the closure. Built at an initial cost of $2.5 million, the 20.2-hectare park draws about 850,000 visitors annually who flock to see its famed waterfall aviary, bird shows and exhibits. According to Singapore Tourism, it's the largest bird park in Asia. Since its 1971 opening, when there were just 1,000 birds from 60 species, the bird park's capacity has expanded greatly and is now believed to house birds from more than 400 species. Park officers have also been involved in several high profile rescues and rehabilitation efforts over the years.
The iconic People’s Park Complex 珍 珠 坊
For more than 40 years, the iconic People’s Park Complex stands proudly along Eu Tong Sen Street. At 31 storey high, the yellow-and-green building is easily noticeable from far.
The complex consists of a shopping center situated below its residential block, which was completed in 1970 and 1973 respectively. There are three gigantic Chinese characters on the side of the block that faces the main road. It reads “Zhen Zhu Fang” which literally means “Pearl’s Center”. The complex was designed by a local company called Design Partnership, spearheaded by chief architects Tay Kheng Soon and Koh Seow Chuan.
According to architectural experts, the design of residential block was injected with British Brutalist element, which was hugely popular in the sixties and seventies. Buildings with Brutalist concept usually expose large areas of concrete on their exterior. It resembles some of those residential blocks found in Hong Kong. The original colour of People’s Park Complex was brown and blue. It was given a complete makeover years ago, turning it into the yellow and green appearance that we see today.
Remembering Rochor Centre
A passerby taking snapshots of the iconic colourful blocks at Rochor Centre. These colourful blocks will be slated for demolition at the start of 2017.TNP FOTO: GARY GOH
While almost all of the residents have moved out, those left have until the end of this week to hand over the keys. TNP speaks to one resident, Mr Tan Chai Hock, who had lived there since it was built. He recalls how much it has changed in 40 years.
From only the 7th storey of the Rochor Centre, you could have a clear view of the sea. Hard to believe these days.
Back in the 70s, Mr Tan Chai Hock never thought that he could own a flat, let alone one in a prime area like the Rochor Centre.
Singapore's Iconic Buildings & Landmarks
Capitol Theatre, briefly Kyo-Ei Gekijo, is a historic cinema and theatre located in Singapore. It was adjoined to four-storey building known as the Capitol Building. The Capitol Theatre was considered one of Singapore's finest theatres in the 1930s during that time.
In 1929, Mirza Mohamed Ali Namazie, a Persian businessman of the Namazie family, commissioned the theatre to be built in Singapore, with S. A. H. Shirazee, an Indian-Muslim merchant and community leader, and the South African brothers Joe and Julius Fisher from First National Pictures, joined in to form Capitol Theatres Ltd as its operator. Namazie would serve as the theatre company's chairman with Shirazee as director, Joe Fisher as managing director and his brother Julius Fisher as the publicity manager. Architecture and equipments
Joe Fisher travelled overseas to acquire the materials for the theatre's furnishings, decorations and design. The Capitol Theatre was designed neoclassical architecture by British architects Keys and Dowdeswell, with its general plan, seating arrangements and lighting inspired from the Roxy Theatre in New York, United States. Builders Messrs Brossard and Mopin began construction of the foundation around July 1929. Messrs Sherwin-Williams Paint Co. in collaboration with local partner Messrs Lohmann and Co., designed the theatre's walls' and ceilings' detailing. Although installed with ventilation system, the theatre's roof was able to slide open which leave a 40-foot aperture for more ventilation.
The first layout of the theatre could accommodate at least 1,600 people, with 1,100 seated on the ground floor. Another 500 seats were available at the circle that could be accessed via lifts or staircases. The seats were a few inches wider than normal British cinema seats, and the upholstery was supplied by a New York company. The theatre had a large projection room located below the balcony and ran the length of the building instead of being traditionally sited in the rear. It housed the latest Simplex projector installed with fireproof protection shutters. The theatre's acoustics and soundproofing were said to be exceptional at that time. Special expensive sound installations costing at least 40,000 Straits dollars were imported from Western Electric Company. The theatre's stage was also designed for stage productions, with changing rooms and organ chambers built into the theatre. It was also the first to equip multihued lighting system using concealed lamps with a dimmer function, which was never used in other existing theatres in Singapore at that time. Besides having the floodlit main entrance at the junction of Stamford Road and North Bridge Road, there are also two side entrances from Stamford Road and North Bridge Road, with a parking lot to accommodate at least 200 cars. There were several food outlets at the theatre. The main café on the first floor had a dance floor where cabaret was held at the selected nights, and adjoining the café was a restaurant known as the Capitol Restaurant. A café lounge was located at the circle. A special cooling room for making French pastries was built in the kitchen on the ground floor. Its adjoined building known as Namazie Mansions, which was named after the Chairman Namazie, was completed in the early 1930.
National Monuments of Singapore
Our National Monuments are an integral part of Singapore’s built heritage, which the National Heritage Board (NHB) preserves and promotes for posterity. They are monuments and sites that are accorded the highest level of protection in Singapore.
