Tanjong Katong Complex to undergo major upgrading from 2nd half of 2023: SLA

SINGAPORE — The Tanjong Katong Complex will undergo major upgrading from the second half of 2023, as part of a move to transform the Geylang Serai area into a "culturally distinct precinct", the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) announced on Wednesday (Dec 8). 

The complex will get an increase in floor area, a new roof-top food-and-beverage space, a reconfiguration of its internal layout, and a refresh of the building’s facade. 

Plans were afoot to provide more space for community events and programmes to attract more people to the complex "while preserving its tradition as a place for trade with Malay cultural heritage value,” SLA said in a statement. 

SLA said that the complex was the first air-conditioned shopping complex developed by the Housing and Development Board, and was built in 1984. SLA has been managing the complex since 1998. 

The complex has not undergone any major upgrading works and its current mechanical and electrical systems are “old and in urgent need of replacement”, it added.

“It is timely for the 37-year-old building to be rejuvenated and given a new lease of life, to complement the new developments in the surrounding area.”

​​The authority has also shared the rejuvenation plans with the 106 existing tenants at the complex, whose tenancies will expire by Dec 31 next year. 

“SLA understands the difficulties faced by tenants in the past two years due to Covid-19. In view of this, SLA will grant a six-month extension of the tenancy until June 30, 2023, to allow businesses to benefit from sales during the Hari Raya (Puasa) period in April 2023.”

The authority added that the advance notice of 1.5 years will also give existing tenants time to make any relocation plans. 

“As the upgrading works are slated to commence in the second half of 2023, there will be no further extension of the tenancy beyond June 30, 2023.” 

In his National Day Rally speech in 2018, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that more could be done to make Geylang Serai a “culturally distinctive precinct”, stretching from Tanjong Katong Complex to Kampong Ubi Community Club.

He had asked Dr Maliki Osman, then-Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, to lead the effort of transforming the precinct into a distinctive cultural belt.

The upgrading works will “retain the identity” of the complex by keeping some of the building’s iconic features such as the slanted columns of the facade facing Tanjong Katong Road.

There will also be a thoroughfare such that commuters from Sims Avenue or the Paya Lebar MRT Station and Geylang Road may use it to get to the complex. 

There will be more space created within the building and a redesign of the internal layout, to carve out more open spaces for community activities, SLA said. 

It has incorporated community feedback received between October 2019 and January 2020 in its decision to upgrade and develop the Geylang Serai cultural precinct. 

Among the feedback was that the building should be retained, given the community’s affinity to the complex and its heritage value. 

“Their suggestions included refreshing (the complex) facade to complement newer developments in the vicinity and introducing new uses that would add buzz to the mall and enliven the place,” SLA said. 

Mr Colin Low, SLA's chief executive officer, said the authority recognises that Tanjong Katong Complex has a “special and unique place in Singapore” and that the public feedback is that the complex should be retained. 

“The rejuvenated Tanjong Katong Complex will add vibrancy to the area and make the Geylang Serai precinct a distinctive cultural belt for the community and for all Singaporeans,” he added. 

SLA added that tenants who wish to find an alternative location in state properties may consider taking part in open tenders via https://sla.gov.sg/spio. 

“SLA will work closely with the existing (Tanjong Katong Complex) tenants to assist them with their transition plans,” it said.