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New Business District Takes Shape as Lendlease’s First Commercial Office Tower Tops Out

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Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) by Lendlease marked a significant milestone today with the successful construction topping out of its first office tower structure at a ceremony graced by Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong. The S$3.2 billion mixed-use development, set to transform Paya Lebar into Singapore’s newest business hub, is well progressed, having secured strong pre-commitment for its office, residential and retail components.

 

 

Strong interest and demand for PLQ office, retail and residential
As the most centrally located business hub outside the core city centre, PLQ’s three office towers will provide close to one million square feet of Grade A prime office space. Currently, over 50 percent of this space is either leased, under final offer or in advanced negotiations. Prospective tenants include leading corporations from the financial services, infrastructure, real estate and co-working solutions sectors, as well as a premium gym. The office towers will be progressively completed and are on program to be occupied from September 2018.

With a projected annual footfall of close to 45 million, the new four-hectare PLQ office, residential, leisure and retail development will be one of the largest business and lifestyle precincts in Singapore. PLQ mall, which is due to be occupied from late 2018, is already over 40 percent pre-committed, including shops and restaurants leased or under final offer.

Over 400 new apartments are also being developed at PLQ providing a modern connected lifestyle with excellent facilities. The first phase was launched last March with all 210 allocated units sold in just one day and the second phase is now eagerly anticipated to be released in coming months.

Mr Tony Lombardo, CEO, Asia, Lendlease, commented: “The significant market demand Lendlease has received for PLQ signals a sustained market appetite in Singapore for quality integrated business and lifestyle precincts underpinned by excellent public realm, superb connectivity and designed with people foremost in mind. PLQ represents the best of inclusive urban spaces and workplace ecosystems for seamless and vibrant lifestyles, where people want to work, live, dine and shop.”

Singapore’s most centrally located commercial hub outside the city centre
Leveraging Lendlease’s expertise in urban regeneration, PLQ is a key catalyst to the plans to transform Paya Lebar into a bustling, pedestrian-friendly new city precinct and a dynamic business hub. It is 1 of 13 major urban regeneration projects across key international gateway cities undertaken by Lendlease, as part of its global development pipeline estimated at over S$50 billion as at 30 June 2017.

In alignment with the government’s drive to bring businesses and jobs closer to home, PLQ will deliver a complete ecosystem representing the best in placemaking by integrating Grade A workplaces with a diverse range of lifestyle, entertainment and recreational activities within an active, green and engaging environment.

Ms. Ng Hsueh Ling, Lendlease’s Managing Director for Singapore commented: “The workplace of the future is going to be more mobile, flexible and wellness-centric. To attract and retain the best talent, progressive companies will require sustainable modern workplaces which leverage technology to benefit its employees and enhance productivity.”

To address the growing demand for flexible spaces in Singapore, up to 15 percent of the available office space across PLQ’s three office towers is proposed to house co-working facilities designed to cater to both smaller space users like start-ups and established SMEs with larger headcount requirements.

Mr Richard Paine, PLQ Managing Director, Lendlease, commented: “This approach is designed to support the agility of businesses within a flexible co-working and business environment. Companies at PLQ will benefit not just from the superb transport connectivity here, but a complete ecosystem designed to support corporate, professional and lifestyle needs.”

To enable the projected 10,000-strong future workforce at PLQ’s three office towers to collaborate and connect beyond their office, employees will have access to approximately 100,000 square feet of public landscaped green spaces, which will be Wi-Fi-enabled. They will also enjoy convenient access to over 200 shops at PLQ mall with quality retail, entertainment and F&B options including a range of alfresco dining choices.

Additionally, PLQ will provide walking and cycling paths integrated into the wider Park Connector Network (PCN) and premier end-of-trip facilities including showers, towel service and secure lockers to enable employees to adopt healthier and more flexible commuting options.

Philips Launches Health Continuum Space to Enable Future Healthcare Innovations

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The Space has the capability to contextualise multiple health-medical scenarios at the same time.

The Space has the capability to contextualise multiple health-medical scenarios at the same time.

Royal Philips has launched the Health Continuum Space, developed to facilitate collaboration with governments, healthcare professionals and related stakeholders to design and co-create future healthcare facilities and hospitals. The launch was graced by the Guest of Honour Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Health.

Fully-equipped and built with flexibility in mind, the 1,028 square-meter Health Continuum Space housed in the Philips APAC Center in Singapore has the capability to contextualise multiple health- medical scenarios at the same time – from a hospital all the way to a patient’s home. The space, which houses various Philips healthcare solutions and equipment, enables prototyping and co- creation of new solutions that help make a meaningful difference in the future of patient care and clinical workflows.

“Philips is uniquely positioned to operate at the intersection of people, technology and healthcare systems. This position, together with our deep clinical knowledge, inspired us to create this facility with our design experts, with the integration of healthcare systems in mind. This space brings to life how healthcare technology is leveraged to enable different parts of health ecosystems to work together to deliver innovative solutions, eventually addressing complex healthcare issues such as rising medical costs, and the increasing burden of chronic diseases caused by an ageing population.” said Diederik Zeven, General Manager, Health Systems, Philips ASEAN Pacific.

Using the iterative co-create approach fundamental to Philips design, the fully-configurable facility brings together different environments and medical scenarios to help various stakeholders visualise the entire health continuum – including a home setting, ambulance, emergency room, CT room, catheterisation laboratory, ICU and even a recovery room – illustrating a patient’s experience from living healthily at home, to being diagnosed and treated for an illness.

The innovation facility illustrates today’s and tomorrow’s real-life scenarios with an objective to redefine the way healthcare professionals work collaboratively, which will in turn enhance the quality and efficiency of clinical diagnosis. It also features a futuristic Reading Room – an aspirational facility equipped with the latest technological system and interface that consolidates patient data, allowing clinicians of various specialties to review patient cases on one single platform.

“Customisation and simulation of clinical spaces is important for us healthcare professionals. The Health Continuum Space helps us make informed decisions earlier, and fosters collaboration, integration of care and communication between partners from various specialties to find plausible solutions to enhance hospital workflow efficiencies and bring to life the future of healthcare systems we are aiming to establish to enable better patient and clinical outcomes,” said Dr. Nikolas Wanahita, Medical Director, Gramercy Heart and Vascular Centre, Mount Elisabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore.

“With a focus on the health continuum and the role homes have in supporting prevention and healthy living, the Health Continuum Space also highlights personal health innovations and scenarios that can foster and support patient needs pre- or post-hospitalisation.

“To address the healthcare needs of our region, collaborations and partnerships between healthcare professionals and corporate enterprises are imperative to delivering innovative solutions across a patient’s healthcare journey. The consumer and healthcare worlds are quickly coming together, and so are our solutions. Apart from envisioning and co-creating spaces within the hospital with our partners, the Health Continuum Space goes one step further to showcase the growing need to be more aware of the home environment, where individuals can take better control of their own health and prevent themselves from falling sick,” added Mr. Srikanth Nott, General Manager, Personal Health, Philips ASEAN Pacific.

Through the simulation and contextualisation of different environments, Philips is able to demonstrate and test workflows that can be used to build future healthcare models with partners. The Health Continuum Space aims to bring to life and visualise the entire continuum of care – a core focus for Philips as the gap between the consumer and healthcare world narrows.

Northpoint City to Transform Singapore’s Yishun Precinct

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SINGAPORE – Frasers Centrepoint Limited (“FCL”) has awarded the main contract for the construction of Northpoint City to Lum Chang Building Contractors

 

(“LCBC”) and spadework will commence on 15 April 2015. When completed in 2018, Nee Soon’s most iconic integrated development will cap the landmark change envisioned for the precinct, one of the earliest townships developed in the late 1970s.

 

The transformation of Nee Soon involves close collaboration between the private and public sectors. FCL will be working towards amalgamating the development’s residential and retail components with the town’s main transportation network and community facilities.

 

With a gross floor area of about 1.33 million square feet, Northpoint City will include the 920-unit North Park Residences, the largest retail mall in the Northern region of Singapore with over 500 outlets, a first-of-its-kind Community Club within a shopping mall, a vibrant Town Plaza equivalent to the size of 10 basketball courts, as well as an integrated transport hub consisting of an air-conditioned bus interchange and shopping underpass to Yishun MRT Station.

 

“The partnership between the agencies and FCL will create a new Nee Soon. The changes will be exciting. Residents and businesses can look forward to a greener landscape. There will be integration of community and healthcare facilities, transport infrastructure, as well as attractive lifestyle offerings,” said Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Law and Member of Parliament for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency.

 

“The mature precinct’s proud heritage will be assimilated with the new, giving it a vibrancy that will be welcomed by both long-time and new residents,” added Mr Cheang Kok Kheong, CEO of Development and Property at FCL.

 

“We’ve been the developer and mall operator of Northpoint Shopping Centre for more than 22 years and we understand the needs and wants of Nee Soon residents. In our plans, we have been consistently guided by the spirit of community. Northpoint City’s transformation will celebrate and accentuate Nee Soon’s unique personality as a suburban hub with plenty of heart-ware.”

 

 

Making way for more greenery in Nee Soon

 

 

The roof-top Community Garden in the upcoming Northpoint City, which underpins this strong community focus, accordingly takes pride of place in FCL’s blueprint for the development.

 

The size of nearly three basketball courts and readily accessible to Nee Soon residents, the Community Garden will supplement the existing Town Garden and the needs of residents by providing them with an easily accessible green respite that also offers a host of recreational activities. The multi-purpose plaza set amid lush tree formations in the Community Garden offers residents with an expansive area under the cover of green canopy for various leisure activities such as morning strolls, outdoor exercises and picnics.

 

Northpoint City elevates the concept of an integrated development to a new level. Its retail underpasses and covered walkways will give commuters and shoppers comfortable and seamless access to the air-conditioned bus interchange and Yishun MRT Station. This integrated transport hub will bring residents within ‘doorstep’ distance in, around and beyond Nee Soon with seamless connectivity.

 

FCL and Lum Chang renew long-standing partnership

FCL has awarded the main contract for the construction of Northpoint City to LCBC. The award builds on FCL and LCBC’s established partnership. The contract is the third to be awarded by FCL to the local contractor, with the first being Tangerine Grove in 2007. This was followed by Esparina Residences in 2013 – also a joint development with LCBC. Currently, FCL and Lum Chang are also joint venture partners for Twin Fountains, an executive condominium development in Woodlands.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lum Chang Holdings Limited, LCBC has amassed a portfolio of construction projects worth over S$8 billion since 1970. These projects span healthcare facilities, key infrastructure amenities, institutional and commercial buildings, and residential developments for both public and private sectors, including the Ang Mo Kio Integrated Transport Hub.

 

Construction of the integrated development will commence on 15 April 2015, with the whole project slated for completion by 2018.

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts To Open First Luxury Hotel In Shenzhen’s Bao’an District

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Hong Kong, China – JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its luxury portfolio in China with the opening of the 356-room JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an offering magnificent views of Qianhai Bay and the Pearl River Delta. A stunning modern landmark designed by globally acclaimed architecture firm — John Portman & Associates and interior design company — HBA (Hirsch Bedner Associate), the hotel boasts elegant, contemporary interiors complemented by premium services and amenities for business and leisure guests.

Developed by OCT Group who has signed a long-term management agreement with JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, the JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an is the first international luxury hotel in Bao’an District and is conveniently located in Shenzhen’s booming Qianhai development zone. Its location being the nearest luxury hotel to Shenzhen International Airport provides easy and quick access for arriving guests.

“Shenzhen is a vibrant city that kick-started China’s opening its doors to the world so we are proud to introduce the ninth JW Marriott Hotel in China, and the second JW Marriott Hotel in Shenzhen,” said Henry Lee, Greater China Chief Operations Officer for Marriott International. “We look forward to providing the exceptional service and one-of-a-kind experiences that the JW Marriott brand is known for – both inChina and around the world.”

The magnificent interiors combine contemporary design with elegant cultural references and local artwork. The mythical Chinese phoenix is the inspiration for the hotel’s sleek, fluid curves and the pale blue guest room palette. Guests will be greeted in the lobby by an eye-catching artwork “Paradise of Materials” depicting the energy of the Shenzhen landscape by Chinese artist Zhan Wang.

The hotel offers 356 luxurious guest rooms and suites. Each room is designed in a chic, modern style featuring abundant natural light. Room amenities include high-speed Internet access, multi-media panel, mini bar, capsule coffee maker and organic herbal tea, and a 42-inch HDTV with satellite TV channels. Spacious bathrooms with a city or bay view feature Aromatherapy Associates bath products, and complimentary Nightly Refresh amenities will be provided in all guest rooms.

Guests are invited to explore two specialty restaurants and one lounge on property. Located on the top floor of the hotel, Bayview Restaurant treats diners to a fine selection of Chinese and Western cuisines with the superb panoramas of Qianhai Bay. A glass ceiling creates an exclusive, romantic private dining experience illuminated by the moon and stars. At the helm of Bayview Restaurant is Executive Chef Lim Chuan Seng. A revered Chinese master chef, Chef Lim previously worked at the Burj Al Arab Dubai and China World Summit Wing in Beijing, and was the winner of CCTV2’s Greatest Chef Cooking Show in 2013.

 

 

The Shenzhen Kitchen is a timeless yet contemporary all-day dining restaurant with an outdoor terrace, offering authentic specialties from China, India, Japan and Europe prepared in live open kitchens. The Lounge will be the perfect venue to meet friends or business contacts over a cup of tea, a glass of wine or a perfectly mixed cocktail accompanied by delicious local snacks. Afternoon tea will be served with live piano music accompaniment.

 

 

JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an promises to be a coveted destination for successful meetings, conferences, weddings and events. Ten multi-function venues offer 2,600sqm of cutting-edge meeting and banquet space. The highlight is the impressive 1,758sqm Grand Ballroom, which is the largest hotel ballroom in Shenzhen, featuring a striking ceiling with LED changing lighting, RCF line-array speakers, a private access elevator and spiral staircase, plus a specially designed lift capable of transporting cars and heavy props. The Grand Ballroom’s 500sqm Foyer with floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace with exquisite bay views make it the perfect venue for cocktail receptions and private functions. Seven other fully equipped spaces ranging from 75sqm to 315sqm provide flexible venues for meetings, incentive events, seminars, product launches and social gatherings.

 

 

The 4,000-sqm WATERFALL Spa & Wellness offers an unforgettable spa experience and holistic wellness journeys in nine private spa suites, each with private steam rain-shower, Jacuzzi and dressing room. Wellness services for pregnant women will be a unique specialty at JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an, including pre- and post-natal yoga classes, professional pregnancy exercise coaching and spa massage treatments.

The 300-sqm high-tech fitness center provided a full range of premium fitness equipment by PRECOR, a leading commercial fitness brand. Facilities include PRECOR’S revolutionary new PREVA health and fitness program; a hot yoga studio, a 40-metre heated indoor infinity pool and a landscaped outdoor pool and terrace affording scenic views.

 

 

“We are very excited about the opening of this new JW Marriott hotel in Shenzhen. With our superb location, excellent facilities plus a talented and dedicated team, JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an promises to provide business travelers and leisure guests with truly memorable experiences each time they stay,” said Mr. Nicholas Tse, General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an.

 

 

For more information, visit jwmarriottshenzhenbaoan.com.

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