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Singapore skyscrapers are known throughout the world for their large numbers. The city has over 4,300 skyscrapers. Many are located in the city’s business district and over 64 of these buildings reach higher than 459 ft.
Singapore skyscrapers began to develop in 1939, with the Cathay building. With 17 levels, this was the first Singapore tower and was the tallest building in South East Asia. The human passion for development didn’t end there, and a new Singapore building soon outshone the Cathay tower. The Asia Insurance building was completed in 1954 and stood at 285ft tall.
Development soared during the 1970s and 1980s, and the city’s business district began to transform. Singapore saw an industrial boom which continued into the 2000s. This was a time when tall buildings were continually constructed and this time period has had a significant effect on the Singapore skyline.
There are three Singapore towers which compete for the title of highest building. These Singapore skyscrapers are also the 128th tallest buildings in the world. There is a limit on Singapore buildings, however. As the business district is close to the Airbase at Paya Lebar, buildings can rise no higher than 919 feet.
Why did skyscrapers develop?
Although many skyscrapers were only developed fairly recently, they are a normal part of everyday life in most modern cities. Elevators have certainly helped when it comes to the development of skyscrapers. Without elevators, it would be very unlikely that buildings would be quite so tall.
The first elevator was invented in 1853 by Elisha Graves. This created safe transport between two floors. Once people could move between floors, it made sense for construction to move upwards. The first skyscrapers began to emerge in New York and Chicago, saving space and fighting urban sprawl.
Let’s have a look at some of Singapore’s tallest buildings
Let’s take a look at these Singapore skyscrapers
Tanjong Pagar center
This Singapore building is sometimes known as Guoco Tower. It one of the newest of the Singapore skyscrapers, and the only one to surpass the 280m building limit in the city. It is known as the tallest building in Singapore but has to share this title with three other buildings.
Tanjong Pagar Center is an award winning construction which won the World Architecture News Mixed-Use Award in the Future Projects category (the building was completed in 2016). It was also shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival Commercial Mixed-Use Award in the Future Projects category in 2015.
One Raffles Place
Once the tallest building in the world outside of America, One Raffles Place is 920 ft tall. It is one of the tallest Singapore skyscrapers, sharing this title with the Republic Plaza and the UOB Plaza. This Singapore tower is located in The middle of Raffles Place, and is architecturally striking. Two triangular structures have a small column between them. The building’s entrance is equally spectacular and has skylights places in a cutout which is 8 levels high.
Republic Plaza
Located in the Downtown Core of Singapore, Republic Plaza is 919 feet tall. It was completed in 1995 and is located in Raffles Place.
A lot of thought went into the construction of this building. Although it is now here near an earthquake zone, the building has been earthquake proofed. The structure is sturdy with a strong base and a tower with tapers gradually. The central core has emergency staircases as well as a number of elevators.
Although it is practical, this Singapore building is also very attractive. It has a large lobby made out of ceramics and granite. The lobby is 4 levels high. It also has 15 double decker lifts. There is a large retail area within this Singapore tower, as well as office spaces arranged around the center core.
United Overseas Bank Plaza One
The United Overseas Bank Plaza One (OUB Plaza 1) ties with three other buildings as the tallest of the Singapore skyscrapers. As one of the tallest buildings in Singapore, it makes the perfect headquarters for United Overseas Bank. The Singapore tower also houses the Si Chuan Dou Hua restaurant. A mosque is placed in the basement and the underground location has created some controversy within the Muslim world.
This Singapore tower linked by a 45-meter podium to a second building, the UOB Plaza Two. This is an older and shorter Singapore building.
Capital Tower
This Singapore building was constructed in Capital Tower is a 52-storey, 254 m (833 ft) skyscraper completed in 2000 in the Shenton Way-Tanjong Pagar, the commercial district. At 254 m, it rates 4th in height amongst the Singapore skyscrapers. Originally created as the headquarters for POS Bank, the building was acquired by Capital. It soon became the flagship building and this Singapore tower was named after the company. It has 52 floors and 5 stunning lifts which travel at 10m/s.
The building adds to the Singapore skyline at night when its logo stands out against the dark sky. The building blinks against the horizon, changing the colour of its lights every couple of seconds
The Marina bay financial center
The Financial Centre in Marina Bay, Singapore offers a number of skyscrapers to the Singapore skyline. This mixed development complex has three office towers and two residential towers. These Singapore buildings are complemented by a retail area.
The complex is situated between Marina Boulevard and Central Boulevard in the Marina Bay and construction was designed over two phases, with two office towers and a large residential tower built into the first phase of construction, along with some of the retail space. The final office, residential towers and retail spaces would be completed in Phase 2 of the development. These Singapore towers add significantly to the skyline.
The Sail at Marina Bay
The Sail was completed in 2008, and is a lifestyle condo constructed in Marina Bay. This is one of the tallest residential Singapore skyscrapers, with 70 floors and a 245m tower. Residents enjoy incredible views of both city and sea. No wonder they started moving in soon after the building was completed.
Apart from the incredible architecture and magnificent views, this Singapore building holds additional appeal because it lies close to attractions such as the Singapore River, Suntec City, Marina Bay Sands, Esplanade and the Telok Ayer Market
The Ocean financial center
Ocean Financial Centre is a Singapore tower build on the site of the old Ocean Building. This Singapore building has been demolished but the new building has kept the name and many tenants which belonged to its predecessor. The building serves as an office block and its location next to Raffles Place MRT Station gives easy access to commuters. The large solar array assists with sustainability.
Singapore skyscrapers are relatively short when compared to other cities in the world. In addition, there are no super tall Singapore towers proposed for the future. In this way, the city falls behind other cities in the world, and the Singapore skyline remains lower.
Many South East Asian countries have tall towers or at the very least are planning to construct some. However Singapore has height limits placed on many areas in the city, and no Singapore skyscraper may reach higher than 280m. These areas of the city are often in the financial districts, which would benefit most from tall towers. Raffles Place and the Marina Bay Sands , where many tall towers are placed, fall within this height restriction. The height restriction is in place because of the Paya Lebar airbase which is less than 10km away.
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