People’s Park Complex
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.
Iconic 70s Building With HK-Like Rooftop & SG’s First Flats Above A Shopping Centre
Built by Singaporeans in 1973 and gained international recognition
While driving by Eu Tong Sen Street, one particular bright yellow and green building is hard to miss. With its gigantic red letters that read “珍珠坊” (Pearl’s Centre) and looming facade, it immediately is clear that People’s Park Complex is not your usual Singaporean high-rise. Younger folks may know it as an IG spot perfect for an #OOTD, but a quick dive into its history will show there’s more to appreciate about the building than its aesthetics. Raging fires aren’t something that we normally see today – but as our parents often say “back in my time”, fires weren’t an uncommon occurrence.
The spot at which People’s Park Complex now stands was once a bustling market filled with plenty of makeshift shops selling everything from durians to textiles, until it burned down in 1966. After the fire caused millions of dollars worth of damage, the government gazetted the land up for sale in 1967 to private developers. Local architect firm Design Partnership (DP) won the tender. Keep in mind that this was 1967 – Singapore had just gained independence and technology and architecture weren’t what they are today. HDBs weren’t a “thing” yet, with most people still staying in shophouses and kampungs. You could say the idea of having high-rise buildings was up in the air. The Singaporean trio behind DP – William Lim, Tay Kheng Soon and Koh Seow Chuan – had the gargantuan task of bringing to life their pitch of a mixed-use development which would have both residential and commercial use. It would be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, much less one of the largest construction projects around at the time.
According to Koh’s blog on DP, many didn’t have faith in the project at first; the team pulled through eventually, completing the building in 1973. With 25 storeys of residential apartments built on top of a six-storey shopping centre, People’s Park Complex set the pattern for this mixed-use development style in Singapore. Within the iconic building was a large atrium, plenty of shops and giant chandeliers which drew in hordes of visitors. People dwelling nearby also came by to enjoy the A/C and public toilets. From the outside, it was a sight to behold as well. With the highest floor being the 31st storey, some coined the corridors of the apartment complex “streets in the air”. Others called it an “emblem of Asian Modernism” and even a “masterpiece of 1970s experimental architecture”.
People’s Park Complex: Built in 1973
This yellow and green building is such an icon in Chinatown that it is hard to imagine it not being there. The site where People’s Park Complex stands was formerly the People’s Park Market, which comprised makeshift stalls and single-storey shops. After a major fire broke out in 1966, the government reparcelled the site for sale to a private developer in 1967, under the Sales of Sites Programme. People’s Park Complex came as part of the Government’s first Land Sales Programme beginning in 1967 where land parcels were offered for sale with 99-year leases.
Occupying 1ha, People’s Park Complex was once the largest shopping complex in Singapore. It also featured the country’s first atrium in a shopping centre where a large number of shops and kiosks generated a bazaar-like atmosphere. The architects behind it are William Lim, Tay Kheng Soon and Koh Seow Chuan, of Design Partnership, now known as DP Architects. The 31-storey building, completed in 1973, is divided into two zones – a six-storey podium block for shops and offices, and a 25-storey slab block of apartments.
A three-storeyed atrium in the podium block with a sunken plaza was accessible from all sides of the building, with all shops visible at once. The public atrium was intended as “the people’s living room”, open at all hours for Chinatown residents to eat, shop and play. Residents in the high-rise block had a roof deck to mingle in. At the time, People’s Park Complex was the largest and tallest shopping-cum-residential complex ever built in Singapore and the atrium was the first in Asia. It was internationally hailed as a masterpiece of 1970s experimental architecture.
People’s Park Centre / Complex — 5 Cheap Reasons to Visit this Chinatown Icon While You Can
While you were busy grieving for iconic 90’s shopping malls like Queensway Shopping Centre and Sim Lim Square, you might have missed the news that People’s Park Complex and People’s Park Centre are on the chopping block too.
The two “People’s Parks”, which are both halfway into their 99-year leases, are on the market for en bloc sale now. Neither has been sold yet, but it’s really only a matter of time. Sometimes I hear people refer to “People’s Park” as a location, but actually there are at least 3 buildings with that name. They are all clustered together so it’s almost as good as one mega-complex. Nonetheless, there are key differences in what you’ll find at each one.
People’s Park Complex 珍珠坊: With its distinctive green-and-yellow architecture, People’s Park Complex is the building that has made it into a million hipster selfies. This old mall is filled mostly with travel agencies, but it has an entire floor of cheap massage parlours. People’s Park Centre 珍 珠 大 厦: A cavernous old shopping centre linked to People’s Park Complex. This air-conditioned mall has a food court in the basement and tons of stalls, making it one of the most popular lunchtime haunts among CBD workers. People’s Park Food Centre 珍 珠 百 貨 商 場: An old hawker centre (not up for en bloc sale) sandwiched in between the two “People’s Parks”. Plenty of cheap and good food, plus lots of amazing finds in the upper levels.
related:
People's Park Complex 珍 珠 坊
People’s Park Complex 珍 珠 坊 is a 31-storey 99 years leasehold mixed residential and commercial building.
The commercial part was built in 1970 whereas the residential block was built in 1973. It is situated in the heart of Chinatown at 1 Park Road Singapore 059108 in district 01.
The commercial space is primarily used for office, F&B and retails shops sale and rental.
People's Park Complex 珍 珠 坊
People’s Park Complex 珍 珠 坊 is a 31-storey 99 years leasehold mixed residential and commercial building. The commercial part was built in 1970 whereas the residential block was built in 1973. It is situated in the heart of Chinatown at 1 Park Road Singapore 059108 in district 01. The commercial space is primarily used for office, F&B and retails shops sale and rental.
It is located at the foot of Pearl’s Hill and previously this land used to be an open park. Later on there was the Pearl’s Market or People’s Market which had many outdoor stalls set up here. But it was destroyed by a fire in 1966.
People’s Park Complex is a commercial property that is strategically located at 1 Park Road, Singapore 059108 in District 01. The nearest Mrt station is Chinatown station which is 0.11 km away. Other nearby stations are Outram Park and Clarke Quay stations. There are also several bus services nearby. Major expressways like AYE, CTE and MCE allow you to get to many places effortlessly. Driving to Orchard Shopping District and Central Business District will take you about 10 minutes. It is seamlessly connected to the rest of Singapore saving commuters transport time.
People’s Park Complex, Golden Mile Tower and other post-independence landmarks may soon disappear
Four post-independence landmarks in Singapore – People’s Park Complex and People’s Park Centre in Chinatown, as well as Golden Mile Complex and Golden Mile Tower at Beach Road – may soon disappear from the city’s landscape, reported The Straits Times. This comes as collective sales committees have been formed for People’s Park Complex, People’s Park Centre and Golden Mile Complex, while Golden Mile Tower is in the process of forming one.
Experts widely recognize three of these structures, namely Golden Mile Complex, Golden Mile Tower and People’s Park Complex, as architecturally and historically significant. Representing Singapore’s post-independence architectural history, the three were inspired by the Brutalist-architectural movement, the style of which usually features monumental structures that were made of off-form concrete. They were also completed as part of the first Land Sales Programme of the government in 1967 when land parcels were sold with a 99-year leasehold tenure.
Reactions to the collective sales attempt of these developments have been mixed. While the structure is special, the owner of Golden Watch Gold and Jewellery at People’s Park Complex, who wanted to be known only as Mr Kea, revealed that he is willing to sell “if the price is right”. “Just like an aging person, an old building will have its issues. As long as the selling price is reasonable, it can move undecided owners,” said Mr Kea, while noting that sentiments among owners present during the extraordinary general meeting held on Mar 5 were split – those for and against the collective sale bid.
related:
People's Park Complex (Chinese: 珍 珠 坊; pinyin: Zhēnzhū fāng) is a high-rise commercial and residential building in Singapore, situated in Park Road off Eu Tong Sen Street in Outram, within People's Park and next to Chinatown MRT station.
The People's Park Complex was a commercial housing project undertaken by the newly formed Urban Renewal Department of the Housing and Development Board's Sale of Sites programme. The project was the subject of the programme's first sale in 1967. Located at the foot of Pearl's Hill, the site where the People's Park Complex currently stands was an open public park. It later became the People's Market or Pearl's Market with outdoor stalls which was destroyed by a fire in 1966.
With a height of 103 metres (338 feet), the 31-storey People's Park Complex building was the first shopping centre of its kind in Southeast Asia and set the pattern for later retail developments in Singapore. The shopping centre was completed in October 1970, while the residential block was completed in 1973. Occupying 1 hectare in the heart of Chinatown, the People's Park Complex was the largest shopping complex in the shopping commercial belt along Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road.
related: People's Park Centre
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 Golden Mile Complex - 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.
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.
