SINGAPORE: The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) will launch tenders for 20 heritage properties along Admiralty Road East to support multi-generational co-living, Minister of State for Law Murali Pillai announced during the Ministry of Law’s budget debate on 4 March.
Murali stated that proposals focusing on intergenerational co-living, particularly those that promote independent senior living, will be favourably considered.
This initiative aligns with previous efforts to repurpose state properties for co-living spaces catering to Singapore’s ageing population.
Previously, SLA launched tenders for properties at 79 to 95 Hindoo Road, 26 Evans Road, and 98 Henderson Road to address the rising demand for independent living among older Singaporeans.
Building on the response, Murali said SLA is now expanding its efforts with the upcoming Admiralty Road East tender, set to be launched in the first quarter of this year.
Beyond co-living spaces, SLA is actively repurposing state properties to foster community engagement.
Murali cited the transformation of 30 Maxwell Road into a wellness and fitness hub as an example, achieved through the joint initiative with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) under the Reinventing Spaces into Vibrant Places programme.
Another example is the former Elections Department office at 11 Prinsep Street, which has been converted into a social impact hub named The Foundry, which began operations last year.
In addition, SLA is restoring and repurposing Block 1 East Coast Road into a space that provides recreational activities for all ages and support programmes for youth.
A tender was called in September 2024 for a multi-disciplinary team of consultants to provide services for additions and alterations (A&A) works, with completion estimated in 2028.
Murali emphasised that SLA will continue working with agencies to introduce more state properties for economic and social uses.
He noted that SLA ensures effective and imaginative land use by understanding social and community needs through proactive engagement.
For example, SLA collaborates with organisations such as the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre and community groups like New Hope to address challenges in securing suitable spaces.
Through these engagements, SLA identified emerging demands, such as silver co-living and the need for more community spaces.
“SLA will continue collaborating with agencies to introduce more State properties for economic and social uses. ”
“By launching more Price-Quality tenders, SLA will be able to better curate placemaking efforts to benefit the community, ” Murali added.
In 2023, Edwin Tong once suggested that SLA explore 30- to 60-year leaseholds to facilitate heritage buildings rejuvenation
Notably, in July 2023, a ministerial statement was delivered to address the rentals of black-and-white bungalows managed by the SLA.
The discussion centred on the properties at 26 and 31 Ridout Road, which were leased to Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan.
At the time, Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong defended SLA’s actions, asserting that the properties were leased out appropriately and that there was “every reasonable, commercial basis” for the transactions.
Tong emphasised that the terms of both leases were standard and did not deviate from usual processes. He also clarified that SLA’s valuation department was unaware that Mr Shanmugam was the prospective tenant for 26 Ridout Road during the valuation process.
Setting out SLA’s approach to heritage properties in its portfolio, Tong stated in Parliament that the authority adhered to internal processes and standards in the marketing, valuation, and leasing of the two colonial-era black-and-white bungalows.
He noted that tenants of such properties often have to undertake capital expenditure to upgrade the units to modern standards. However, conservation requirements impose constraints on how extensively tenants can retrofit these properties.
To provide greater flexibility, SLA has adjusted tenancy structures, offering 5+4-year leases instead of the standard 3+3+3 years for tenants who invest significantly in property upgrades.
He said this extended period allows tenants more time to recover their investment costs. The approach aims to maximise occupancy while ensuring properties are well-maintained and enhanced.
“In addition, SLA is also studying the feasibility of extending even longer leasehold periods (e.g., 30 or 60 years) in an estate en-bloc so that a private developer can come in as the master-leaseholder and rejuvenate the entire estate and be able to upkeep the properties in the meantime, as well as reap the benefits over the longer lease period.”
At the time, four ministerial statements were delivered to address concerns surrounding the rentals of 26 and 31 Ridout Road, particularly given that Shanmugam, as Minister for Law, oversees SLA, the agency managing these properties.
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