CPF Building explained

Former CPF Building
Map Type:Singapore
Alternate Names:Central Provident Fund Building
Status:Demolished
Building Type:Government offices
Commercial offices
Architectural Style:Brutalist
Location:Shenton Way, Downtown Core, Singapore
Address:79 Robinson Road, Singapore 068897
Location City:Downtown Core
Location Country:Singapore
Namesake:Central Provident Fund
Start Date:1976
Demolition Date:2017
Owner:CapitaLand
Roof:171m (561feet)
Floor Count:46
Architecture Firm:Public Works Department of Singapore
Unit Count:-->
References:[1]

The former CPF Building was a high-rise skyscraper located in the central business district of Singapore. The tower was located on 79 Robinson Road, in the Shenton Way and Tanjong Pagar zone. The building was near several other skyscrapers such as OUE Downtown, Robinson 77 and Capital Tower, which are all about 100 metres away from the building's former site.[2]

It housed the headquarters of the Central Provident Fund Board (CPF).[3]

History

The CPF Building was designed by the Public Works Department of Singapore. The building was completed by 1976. Other firms involved in the development includes Lalesse Gevelliften BV (KONE Lalesse Gevelliftinstallaties), and the CPF. The building was reclad in 2001.

Protests

On 12 August 2005, a rare demonstration by four people demanding greater transparency and accountability in Singapore's state-managed pension fund and other government-linked agencies. The two men and two women assembled at lunchtime outside the CPF building in the central business district, Robinson Road, Singapore. They claimed they did not need a permit and staged their protest for about an hour. However, soon a dozen anti-riot police wearing helmets and knee-high protective gear and carrying shields and batons forced them to disperse.[4]

Architecture

The CPF Building exhibited the International architectural style. Similar in design to DBS Building Tower One, the main materials used in its construction were aluminium reinforced concrete, glass and granite. The structural types applied in its development were cantilever, with a concrete core.

Demolition

In November 2015, the building was sold to Ascendas Land (now CapitaLand) for S$550 million.[5] The last tenant moved out on 20 February 2017.

The building was demolished and redeveloped into a 29-storey office tower called CapitaSky (formerly known as 79 Robinson Road),[6] [7] which was initially slated to be completed in 2020.[8]

While AXA Tower has since become the tallest building ever voluntarily demolished outside of New York City, CPF Building remains the tallest building ever voluntarily demolished and replaced by a shorter building.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Emporis building ID 106469 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307051028/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/106469 . dead . March 7, 2016 . Emporis.
  2. Web site: CPF Building is a place in Singapore on the Map of Singapore . SGPagenation. 2008-02-08.
  3. Web site: CPF Board moving to Novena Square. STProperty. 23 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051640/http://www.stproperty.sg/articles-property/singapore-property-news/cpf-board-moving-to-novena-square/a/163685. 4 March 2016. dead.
  4. Web site: Singapore: Riot police break up demonstration of four people . ThinkCentre . 2008-02-08 .
  5. Web site: CPF Building sold for S$550m to Ascendas Land company. Channel NewsAsia. 22 December 2015. 22 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222104343/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/cpf-building-sold-for-s/2295000.html. dead.
  6. News: Liew . Isabelle . 2022-01-14 . CapitaLand launches 79 Robinson Road office building with sustainability and smart features . 2024-01-29 . The Straits Times . en . 0585-3923.
  7. Web site: CapitaSky CapitaLand . 2024-01-29 . www.capitaland.com . en.
  8. Web site: Joint venture to redevelop former CPF Building in $1b project. October 5, 2016. The Straits Times.