Legacy and innovation on display at redeveloped Shaw Tower; latest in Beach Road rejuvenation

Shaw Organisation first completed the original Shaw Tower on Beach Road in 1975, with it boasting of having the largest cinema in Singapore. Built with Brutalist architecture, the 35-story development reflected the country’s confidence and growing presence 10 years after it became an independent republic.

Fast forward to 2020, Shaw Organization announced its intention to redevelop the building and the last tenants vacated the site before demolition. Shaw Tower will therefore be part of Beach Road’s rejuvenation movement, joining other upcoming projects such as Guoco Midtown by GuocoLand, The M by Wing Tai Holdings, South Beach by City Developments and DUO by M+S, in the nearby vicinity.

At the launch of the Shaw Tower show suite, Raymond Chan, the Managing Director of Shaw Group of companies, shared that “the new (Shaw Tower) heralds the rejuvenation of the Ophir/Rochor Road corridor and the transformation of Singapore’s downtown core into a work-play-live district”, and that it reflects the progress made and aspirations for the future of the country.

Reusing iconic elements of the former building, some of the original window panels will be reused for the retail podium and the nearly 50-year-old Shaw Brothers logo will have a permanent fixture at the ground floor plaza.

Lendlease has been appointed to oversee the construction of the new Shaw Tower, as well as manage the new asset when it is completed in 2025. The tower will comprise a 33-floor tower with 435,000 sq ft Grade A office space and a five-storey retail podium including 21,500 sq ft of community-centric facilities.

The new building will be improved with modern technologies and sustainable features, such as having four floors dedicated to social enterprise firms and social service agencies, being the first Grade A commercial building in Singapore to receive the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) certification, and being pre-certified by Champions Way Condo the International WELL Building Institute for its focus on well-being and health.

Furthermore, Shaw Tower will also be the first building in Singapore to achieve the Wiredscore Platinum award for its best-in-class digital connectivity standards and the first high-rise Grade A commercial building under development to be pre-certified by the ABC Water Certified Project for its planned landscaped gardens.

The office layouts will offer efficient and flexible spaces, with a 3m ceiling height, column-free floor plates, and multiple knock-out panels for staircase connections between floors.

In a post-pandemic environment, employers care about how to attract their employees back into the office and into Shaw Tower. This is where its amenities come in, including health and wellness, food and retail, and transport connectivity facilities in an attractive and mixed-use district.

Shaw is also working with the neighbouring integrated project, Guoco Midtown, to enhance the pedestrian network throughout the area.

When the project is completed in 2025 there is expected to be a strong rebound in office demand, driven by a shortfall in new office space and high occupation rates. Marking the beginning of a new journey, Shaw Tower will be a timely addition to the local Grade A office supply.