Pearl Bank Apartments

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name = Pearl Bank Apartments


location = Chinatown, Outram, Singapore
type = High-rise
use = Residential
floor_count = 38
status =
elevator_count =
management= Hock Seng Enterprises
owner = Hock Seng Enterprises
website =

Pearl Bank Apartments (zh-sp|s=珍珠苑|p=Zhēnzhū yuàn) is a high-rise private residential building on Pearl's Hill in Outram, near the Chinatown of Singapore.

The Pearl Bank Apartments is one of Singapore's pioneers of luxury high-rise, high-density living, and set the standards in subsequent condominiums for the provision of communal amenities.

History

Development

The Pearl Bank Apartments was the first all-housing project to be undertaken in the Urban Renewal Department of the Housing and Development Board's Sale of Sites programme. The residential project was the subject of the programme's third sale in 1969.

With a height of 113 metres (371 feet)cite web |url= http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=38043 |title= Pearl Bank Apartments |accessdate=2007-08-09 |format= |work= SkyscraperPage] cite web |url= http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=106548 |title= Pearl Bank Apartments |accessdate=2007-08-09 |format= |work= Emporis Buildings] , the Pearl Bank Apartments was the tallest residential building in Singapore when it was completed in June 1976.

Planned redevelopment of site

On 4 August 2007, the Pearl Bank Apartments which is located on a 8,000-square metre, 99-year leasehold site was put up for an "" sale.cite news | author = Jennifer Chen | title = A chapter of Singapore's architectural history is at risk | publisher = "International Herald Tribune" | date = 29 May 2007] cite news | author = Tay Suan Chiang | title = Goodbye Famous 5?: Welcome to my horse shoe | publisher = "The Sunday Times" | date = 5 August 2007] cite news | author = Joyce Teo | title = Mitre Hotel site, iconic building up for sale | publisher = "The Straits Times" | date = 7 August 2007] The tender closed on 18 September, 2007, but fetched no bids. Another tender closed on February 19, 2008, failing again, and the collective sale agreement lapsed on August 1, 2008. [ [http://www.pearlbankapartments.com/ pearlbankapartments :: No Enblock ! ] ]

Architecture

The Pearl Bank Apartments is a 38-storey hollow ¾ cylindrical tower, resembling a horseshoe, designed for a total occupancy of 1,500 persons. When completed in 1976, the building had the largest number of apartments contained in a single block, and had the highest density of any private modern residential building at 1,853 persons per hectare. It was designed by Singaporean architect Tan Cheng Siong of Archurban Architects Planners.

The 272-unit apartment block comprises three types of split-level units — 48 two-bedroom (130 sq. metres), 184 three-bedroom (176.5 sq. metres) and 40 four-bedroom (213.7 sq. metres) dwellings, with eight units to each floor — and an additional eight penthouses. There is a shopping area with seven units on the first storey, and the building has a four-storey carpark. The 28th storey is devoted for community use, known as the "Sky Park".

The effect of the split-level architectural approach in the spatial planning is expressed as an important facet of the building. Each apartment unit is further zoned into "public" and "private" areas to offer maximum exclusivity and views to the occupants. The utilities and service areas are located at the rear of the apartments, overlooking the building's central courtyard, to avoid any obstruction of the view. The opening in the circular structure faces west and minimises direct penetration of heat and light from the afternoon sun into the building. The slits in the circular slab also allow for effective ventilation into the internal courtyard.

The building's structure comprises ten radiating shear walls, which also serve as party walls between the units. These elements, along with the additional structural columns and lift cores, follow the radial form of the building and enhances the façade. Shanghai plaster is used on the outer rim of the building and painted plastered walls on the inner rim.

Notes

References

* Wong Yunn Chii (2005), "Singapore 1:1 City: A Gallery of Architecture & Urban Design", Urban Redevelopment Authority, ISBN 981-05-4467-7
* Norman Edwards, Peter Keys (1996), "Singapore - A Guide to Buildings, Streets, Places", Times Books International, ISBN 9971-65-231-5
*cite web |url= http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_116_2004-12-14.html |title= Singapore Infopedia: Pearl's Hill |accessdate=2007-08-09 |format= |work= National Library Board
*cite web |url= http://www.ura.gov.sg/spore1_1/publication1-18.htm |title= Singapore 1:1 City: Pearl Bank Apartments |accessdate=2007-08-09 |format= |work= Urban Redevelopment Authority