29 Jul, 2009
MBFC set to deliver on its promise as a world class integrated business and financial centre
Wednesday, 29 July 2009, Singapore – Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) is one step closer to becoming Asia’s best business address with the topping out of Tower One. The ceremony was well attended by senior management from the various government agencies and leading business leaders. Officiated by Guest of Honour, Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development who also delivered a speech, Minister Mah joined the following senior representatives to mark the occasion by signing on an 8.346 metre long steel beam:
JV Consortium
Tower One anchor tenant
Project main contractor
Weighing 1.3 tonnes, the signed steel beam was crane hoisted all the way to Level 33 of Tower One where it will lay as a symbol of the commitment and synergy between government agencies, the JV consortium and the private sector in seeing to the successful completion and fruition of Marina Bay Financial Centre, Asia’s Best Business Address, said Mr Wilson Kwong, General Manager, Raffles Quay Asset Management Pte Ltd.
The JV consortium also presented Minister Mah with a specially commissioned water colour painting of the Marina Bay Financial Centre development as a token of appreciation. Home grown and internationally acclaimed artist Mr Ng Woon Lam, who is also the first Singaporean medal winner of the prestigious American Watercolor Society Annual International Show was commissioned for the painting.
“Today’s Topping Out of MBFC Tower One bears much significance for the JV Partnership as it means that we are closer to the completion of Marina Bay Financial Centre, one of the largest commercial developments. MBFC will shape the way we work, live and play in Marina Bay. With our BCA Green Mark achievements, we are unfolding a masterpiece that will not only transform the urban Singapore skyline and lifestyle but also bring about a more sustainable future,” reiterated Wilson Kwong.
Mr Ray Ferguson, Standard Chartered Bank’s Regional Chief Executive Officer for South East Asia said, “Today, Standard Chartered is delighted to mark the topping out of our new premises at Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC). This is a major milestone in our S$800 million relocation and consolidation project which will allow us to centralise our staff housed in multiple locations into two new buildings. Our upcoming move to MBFC is part of the Bank’s long term growth strategy to support our business in Singapore.”
Tower One is the first office tower under Phase 1 to be completed on the prime 3.55ha waterfront site that Marina Bay Financial Centre resides. Tower One with its 620,000 square feet of prime Grade A office space is fully pre-leased to Standard Chartered Bank, French corporate and investment bank Natixis, and Wellington International Management Company. They will enjoy business-friendly features including efficient, column-free floor plates averaging 20,0000 square feet that cater to trading houses, 24 hour dual services systems, generous ceiling heights of 2.75m and panoramic views of Marina Bay. Marina Bay Financial Centre has also been certified an environmentally sustainable development, having secured a gold rating under the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Scheme for its energy-saving features and design. It achieved the BCA Green Mark ratings for Phase 1 and the BCA Green Mark Gold Plus for Phase 2 (Commercial).
For more information, please contact:
Chan Kwai Seng
Fleishman-Hillard
DID: 6424 6383
Email: chank@fleishman.com
Kelvin Teo
Fleishman-Hillard
DID: 6424 6361
Email: teok@fleishman.com
About Marina Bay Financial Centre
Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) is being developed by a joint venture comprising three of Asia’s most experienced and trusted property developers – Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd/Hutchison Whampoa, Hongkong Land and Keppel Land, and managed by Raffles Quay Asset Management (RQAM). MBFC sits on a prime 3.55 hectare waterfront site at the heart of Singapore’s new downtown. The tenant-centric design of this purpose-built financial centre combines the best in form and function, making it a key draw for businesses and befitting Singapore’s position as a global financial hub.
MBFC offers a breathtaking blend of three distinguished office towers with nearly 3 million square feet of Grade A office space, two residential towers comprising 649 luxury apartments and penthouses as well as approximately 176,000 square feet of retail space to meet the daily convenience of our business community and residents.
MBFC is Green Mark certified by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore. This award recognises the efforts made by the developers to encourage sustainable design practices, and makes MBFC one of the few developments to win more than one BCA Green Mark award.
For more information about Asia’s best business address, please visit the MBFC website @ http://www.mbfc.com.sg/
About Raffles Quay Asset Management Pte Ltd
Incorporated in 2001, Raffles Quay Asset Management Pte Ltd (RQAM) was established by Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd/Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, Hongkong Land and Keppel Land Ltd with the mandate to market and manage One Raffles Quay. Its portfolio has since expanded to include the Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC), which stands out together with One Raffles Quay as premium developments in Singapore’s new downtown at Marina Bay.
About Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited/ Hutchison Whampoa
Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited is a property development and strategic investment company based in Hong Kong. It is one of the largest property developers in Hong Kong, having developed about one in seven private residences in the territory. The company also owns a large portfolio of commercial, residential and industrial premises in Hong Kong, and is a major developer of the Central District.
In Singapore, Cheung Kong’s residential property portfolio includes Cairnhill Crest, an oasis of tranquillity ensconced in prime district 9, and Costa del Sol, a prestigious east coast marine-themed development.
In terms of commercial property, the Company developed One Raffles Quay in its first joint venture with Keppel Land and Hongkong Land in Singapore. Cheung Kong is a substantial unit holder in Fortune REIT – which holds 11 retail malls in Hong Kong and was listed on The Singapore Exchange in August 2003 – with a 26.92% stake.
About Hongkong Land
Hongkong Land is one of Asia’s leading property investment, management and development groups. Founded in Hong Kong in 1889, the Group has interests across the region. Hongkong Land’s business is built on partnership, integrity and excellence.
In Hong Kong, the Group owns and manages some five million sq. ft of prime commercial space that defines the heart of the Central Business District. In Singapore, it is helping to create the city-state’s new Central Business District with the expansion of its joint venture portfolio of new developments. Hongkong Land’s properties in these and other Asian centres are recognised as market leaders and house the world’s foremost financial, business and luxury retail names. Hongkong Land also develops premium residential properties in a number of cities in the region, not least in Singapore where its 77%-owned listed affiliate, MCL Land, is a significant developer.
Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda. Its primary listing is in London, and its shares are also listed in Bermuda and Singapore. The Group’s assets and investments are managed from Hong Kong by Hongkong Land Limited. Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.
About Keppel Land Limited
Keppel Land Limited is the property arm of the Keppel Group, one of Singapore’s largest multi-national groups. The Company is one of the largest property companies by total assets on the Singapore Exchange.
One of Asia’s premier property companies, Keppel Land is recognised for its sterling portfolio of quality award-winning residential developments and investment-grade commercial properties, and high standards of corporate governance and transparency.
Keppel Land is geographically diversified in Asia and has a strategic focus on two core businesses of property development and property fund management.
A leading prime office developer in Singapore, Keppel Land contributes to defining and refining the city’s skyline with landmark developments such as Ocean Financial Centre, One Raffles Quay and Marina Bay Financial Centre.
The Company is also Asia’s premier home developer with world-class iconic waterfront residences such as Reflections at Keppel Bay, Marina Bay Residences and Marina Bay Suites in Singapore.
Keppel Land has received several Green Mark awards for its commercial and residential developments in Singapore and overseas. In Singapore, these include Ocean Financial Centre (Platinum), Madison Residences (Gold), Reflections at Keppel Bay (Gold), Sixth Avenue Residences (Gold), The Promont (Gold) and The Tresor (Gold). Keppel Land’s development The Estella in Ho Chi Minh City is also the first development to receive the Green Mark Gold award in Vietnam. Keppel Land has also garnered several FIABCI awards for its developments including Prudential Tower (Office Category – 2004) and Caribbean at Keppel Bay (Residential category – 2006).