Special Feature
Transforming cityscapes for more than six decades
By Lendlease
/ BROUGHT TO YOU BY LENDLEASE |
The success of PLQ and the transformation of the neighbourhood is a testament to Lendlease’s placemaking and urban regeneration capabilities (PICTURES: LENDLEASE)
Lendlease – Singapore’s partner in shaping the nation’s skyline since 1973
With 23 major urban regeneration projects underway globally and more than A$110 billion in its development pipeline, Lendlease creates multiple award-winning precincts and workplaces to the highest sustainability standards. EdgeProp Singapore looks at some of the firm’s biggest achievements and complex construction and engineering challenges overcome through state-of-the-art technology and innovation in Singapore.
In 1973, Lendlease made its first entry as a trusted developer in Singapore with the construction of blocks of HDB flats in Ghim Moh. Fast-forward to 2015, Lendlease was awarded the tender by the URA for a mixed-use site in Paya Lebar that heralded a major transformation for the precinct. The tender was part of a larger rejuvenation project for the Paya Lebar Central area aimed at reshaping it into a commercial hub in the city fringe.
Six years later, the site, now known as Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ), is a bustling centre of activity. PLQ Mall, situated next to the Paya Lebar MRT interchange, is home to almost 200 shops and eateries. The mall is connected to the fully sold Park Place Residences as well as the three office towers that are close to 100% occupancy.
In addition, the development boasts a 100% commitment for Csuites, its flexible workplace concept space that seems tailored for the Covid-19-shaped market, but in actuality was conceptualised years ahead of the pandemic.
Construction and engineering marvels
Needless to say, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to problems in the construction and development of precincts and buildings. “Over the years, there have been numerous engineering obstacles that require detailed planning and innovative in-house capabilities to successfully deliver projects that last. Lendlease has the integrated capabilities coupled with global expertise that enable us to chart ahead of the curve,” said Ng Hsueh Ling, Managing Director, Singapore, Lendlease and Chairman of Lendlease Global Commercial REIT.
A River Flows Beneath: In engineering, it is no easy feat to manage a complex site through which a river flows. Using digital solutions, Lendlease employed an innovative method to mitigate the complexity of reconstructing the canal in the most efficient and safe way.
PLQ, one of Lendlease’s largest projects till date, was successfully delivered to the highest standards, clinching many top accolades from government agencies. During the construction phase, the site presented challenges such as a canal that runs through the site, an operational MRT interchange with services running above and below ground, busy roads, and poor ground conditions, among other hurdles.
Lendlease never ceased to innovate, having formulated solutions and building in a way that allowed the original canal to be maintained and widened even as construction was ongoing.
Despite the congested roads bounding the site and MRT infrastructure interface, Lendlease was able to erect three major pedestrian bridges around the PLQ precinct by leveraging its in-house digital planning platforms.
Another logistically-complex project with significant challenges was 313@somerset, which required building around transport links, as well as over the Orchard Canal. Lendlease rose to the challenge to deliver the project, including successfully integrating three shopping malls by constructing the Discovery Walk over the canal.
Reimagining Interconnectivity: 313@somerset, another of Lendlease’s building marvels, makes interconnectivity central to placemaking. Lendlease delivered the project, while integrating three malls by constructing the Discovery Walk over the Orchard Canal.
Always raising the bar on delivering highquality, complex projects safely
Lendlease has delivered world-class facilities that demand highly-controlled environments built in accordance with stringent regulatory standards. Today, Lendlease is the indisputable market leader in the life sciences construction sector, having constructed more than 90% of the biotech facilities at Tuas Biomedical Park, while also building a majority of Singapore’s major pharmaceutical facilities.
A recent project saw the delivery of a facility located within a manufacturing plant, that continued to operate during the facility’s construction. Lendlease was able to accommodate the client’s request to deliver new process equipment, over 5,000m of piping, a cold room and a warehouse, within an operating manufacturing facility, without interrupting operations. Despite the delicate nature of the plant’s operating environment such that even a speck of dust would be detrimental, Lendlease was able to deliver the facility flawlessly.
Lendlease’s demonstrated ability to execute such projects catering to highly specific requirements is internationally recognised within the industry. In 2010, it was awarded the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering’s Facility of the Year Award (FOYA) for its work for a facility built for Genentech in Tuas.
As Lendlease continues to push boundaries in terms of engineering know-how, the company maintains a no-compromise stance when it comes to health and safety. At the crux of its operations is a commitment to put people first and to constantly raise the bar on safety.
Transforming cities since 1958
Lendlease was founded in Sydney in 1958. Over the last 60 years, the company has perfected the art of building thriving communities. Currently, Lendlease has 23 major urban regeneration projects underway across ten gateway cities around the world.
Underpinning this is a master developer mindset. By harnessing its placemaking expertise and leveraging fruitful partnerships with cities, governments and communities, Lendlease is able to create impactful developments with an emphasis on sustainability.
The strategy particularly shines in its urban rejuvenation projects, where Lendlease effectively executes complex integrated developments anchored around inclusive community spaces that are constructed responsibly.
One such project is Barangaroo South in Australia, one of Sydney’s largest urban regeneration projects. The A$9.9 billion ($9.8 billion) mixed-use development has been transformed from a disused container terminal into a bustling waterfront precinct with offices, retail, residences and public spaces. It is also Australia’s first carbon-neutral precinct.
More recently, Lendlease was appointed to manage the redevelopment of the iconic Shaw Tower in Singapore, a clear indication of its reputation for delivering catalytic transformations.
As Lendlease continues to reshape the cities of tomorrow with its unique expertise in placemaking, having the experience to manage complexities in the face of uncertainties becomes more important as buildings become smarter and greener. Even as requirements for building complex megastructures become more demanding, Lendlease continues to cement its leadership in delivering topnotch projects across the world.
This article appeared in The EdgeProp Pullout Issue 1011 (Nov 22, 2021) of The Edge Singapore.
Follow Us
Follow our channels to receive property news updates 24/7 round the clock.
EdgeProp Telegram
EdgeProp FacebookSubscribe to our newsletter
Search Articles