OUE Downtown

OUE Downtown Towers

OUE Downtown Towers Two taken in 2006
Former names DBS Building
Development Bank of Singapore Building
Alternative names 6 Shenton Way
General information
Status Complete
Type Commercial offices
Architectural style Modernism (Brutalist)
Location Shenton Way, Downtown Core, Singapore
Coordinates 1°16′38″N 103°50′54″E / 1.2771°N 103.8483°E / 1.2771; 103.8483Coordinates: 1°16′38″N 103°50′54″E / 1.2771°N 103.8483°E / 1.2771; 103.8483
Construction started 1972
Completed Tower 1: 1975
Tower 2: 1994
Cost $24.5 million
Owner Overseas Union Enterprise
Height
Roof Tower 1: 201 m (659 ft)
Tower 2: 150 m (490 ft)
Technical details
Floor count Tower 1: 50
Tower 2: 36
Design and construction
Architect Architects Team 3
Obayashi Gumi Corporation
Developer DBS Land Limited, Ohbayashi Gumi Corporation, Steen Consultants, Liu Cheng Consulting Engineers, Davis Langdon & Seah Philippines Inc., Mitsubishi Elevator and Escalator[1]
References
[2][3][4][5][6][7]

OUE Downtown or 6 Shenton Way, formerly DBS Building Towers[8][9] is a high-rise skyscraper complex at 6 Shenton Way in the central business district of Singapore. Tower 1 at 201 metres (659 ft) and 50-storeys was completed in 1975, and is one of Singapore's oldest. Tower Two was completed twenty years later in 1994 and is 150 m (490 ft) with 36 storeys. The former headquarters of DBS Bank was located in the complex.

History

The DBS Tower One was finished in 1975, together with a wave of brutalist-style buildings, that dominated the 1950s to 1970s period.[10] It was designed by Architects Team 3. Firms involved in the development of the building included DBS Land Limited, Ohbayashi-Gumi, Ltd., Steen Consultants Private Limited, Liu Cheng Consulting Engineers, Davis Langdon & Seah Philippines Inc., and Mitsubishi Elevator and Escalator.

Acquisition by Overseas Union Enterprise

The towers were sold to Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) for S$870.5 million in 2010.[11]

In July 2012, DBS moved out of the towers, to its new headquarters at Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) Tower 3. Various 'core support functions' were relocated to a nine-storey building at Changi Business Park near the Expo MRT Station in 2010. The Changi site has a permissible gross floor area of some 50,000 m2 (540,000 sq ft).[12]

Observers have said that OUE would have the chance to upgrade the property if some premises remain vacant. OUE said the acquisition is in line with its strategic goal of maximising investment opportunities from high-yield properties. Industry watchers said OUE could possibly divide the property into a commercial and residential development. This will reduce its exposure in the office portfolio and allow it to participate in the residential market, which could help lower borrowings and enhance cash flow for the company.[11]

Amenities and architecture

DBS Tower One is one of the first commercial buildings to incorporate a covered walkway around the whole city block. A series of roof gardens, viewing galleries and outdoor areas provide views and facilities for the enjoyment of its tenants.

Together with DBS Building Tower Two, DBS occupies about 56,000 to 70,000 m2 (600,000 to 750,000 sq ft) of office space in the central business district. The bank used to own the towers until it sold them to a Goldman Sachs real estate fund in late 2005 and leased back the space it occupied for an initial eight-year term with options for renewal.[13]

The towers are an example of brutalist architecture, and is constructed mainly out of concrete and granite. The architecture of DBS Tower One, together with that of buildings such as the Singapore Land Tower, Temasek Tower and OCBC Centre, dominates the architecture of singapore.[14]

DBS Tower One was the first anchor in the financial district of Shenton Way, and was the tallest building in Singapore when it was completed in 1975. It was designed to provide multiple facilities within a single building, and contains facilities like a conference hall, a small theatre and an exhibition centre within the podium. There is a Starbucks Coffee outlet located at the lobby.[15]

See also

References

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