28 Sep, 2011
Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs
Mr Justin Chiu, Executive Director, Cheung Kong (Holdings)
Mr Y K Pang, Chief Executive, Hongkong Land
Mr Kevin Wong, Group Chief Executive Officer, Keppel Land
Mr Teruaki Yamaguchi, Senior Executive Officer, Kajima Corporation
Mr Peter Seah, Chairman, DBS Group Holdings
Distinguished Guests, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good morning and a very warm welcome to the Topping Out Ceremony for Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, the third and final office tower in this integrated mixed-use development.
Today’s ceremony is significant as it marks the completion of MBFC’s commercial component.
As Asia’s Best Business Address, Marina Bay Financial Centre currently offers the largest Grade A office space in Marina Bay, with some 3 million square feet. This is not just an achievement for MBFC, but also for the nation, as it fortifies Singapore’s position as a global financial hub.
When completed, Tower 3 will also add another 82,500 square feet of retail space spread over three levels. Together with Phase 1 of Marina Bay Link Mall which opened last November, MBFC will have a total of 176,000 square feet of retail space. I am pleased to share that Phase 2 of Marina Bay Link Mall, which is located at Tower 3, is 90% pre-committed and will house F&B operators including Bibigo from Korea, Veganburg, South Beauty from China, which is a new entry to the Singapore market, popular Osvaldo for Italian cuisine, as well as DBS’ flagship retail bank and an auditorium. A most welcomed dining destination will undoubtedly be the ‘Food Loft’ by NTUC Foodfare, which will add to the range of dining options for the MBFC office community.
These new retail outlets, together with the alfresco dining area at Marina Bay Link Mall’s Ground Plaza which opened earlier this year, and where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Marina Bay while dining, will further enhance the vibrancy of Singapore’s New Downtown. Together with the many activities planned at The Lawn and The Promontory, these amenities will add to the overall appeal and draw more visitors, office workers, residents and their families to Marina Bay.
As an integrated mixed-use development, Marina Bay Financial Centre caters not only to those who work and play here, but also our residents in our two residential developments – Marina Bay Residences and Marina Bay Suites – as well as those who live in the Marina Bay area. Marina Bay Residences was the first residential development which completed last year, while Marina Bay Suites, which is over 60% sold, is expected to be completed in 2013.
As we celebrate an important milestone today, I would like to add that the Marina Bay Financial Centre project was made possible because of the strong commitment, vision and foresight of our joint venture partners. It was exactly 10 years ago when the joint venture partners started their first project, One Raffles Quay, then Marina Bay Financial Centre, and in the process set up Raffles Quay Asset Management to market and manage these properties.
Both One Raffles Quay and Marina Bay Financial Centre play an important role in transforming Singapore’s New Downtown, and we are honoured to play a key role in raising Marina Bay’s profile as Singapore’s premium lifestyle destination.
On this note, I would like to thank our joint venture consortium Cheung Kong (Holdings), Hongkong Land, and Keppel Land, as well as our other partners involved in the development of MBFC, including our project consultants, government agencies, colleagues of Raffles Quay Asset Management, and the many employees who have worked hard on site. I would also like to thank our valued tenants and home buyers for making MBFC your choice address. My team and I look forward to welcoming you on board and to continue to be of service.
Please join me in a round of applause in appreciation for all our partners’ unwavering support throughout the development of MBFC, and in making today’s ceremony possible.
Thank you.