Asia: Construction Begins in Singapore at Somerset Retail Project

In August 2006, Lend Lease secured the highly coveted Somerset Central site from the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore for S$617.2million (approximately A$514 million).

Retail assets on Singapore’s Orchard Road are tightly held and this site is one of the last prime retail developments released by the Singapore Government within the city state’s retail hub.
Drawing on its 34 year track record of successfully managing projects throughout Asia, Lend Lease will work across all phases of the project from development, leasing, project management and construction to asset management.

The development site has a 95 metre street frontage to Orchard Road and a 70 metre exposure to Somerset Road. The project will accommodate eight levels of retail including three levels below ground and feature over 180 retailers.

On completion, it is estimated that the Somerset project will increase in value to more than S$1.1 billion (approximately A$920 million).

The centre’s vision is to be a leading destination in the mid to upper-mid level fashion, food and lifestyle offer.

Construction work, delivered by Bovis Lend Lease, has commenced and is expected to be completed by last quarter, 2009.

One of the centres’s dining sectors; ‘Discovery Walk’ will create a landmark dining precinct directly off Orchard Road. Its unique mix of restaurants, bars and cafes will establish this precinct as a true entertainment destination. The 400 metre open-air pedestrian mall will showcase innovative water features and designs.

With one of the busiest Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station underground and canals dissecting the site, construction methods prove to be a challenge. Combining its 35 years track record of constructing projects of multiple complexities in the Singapore environment with the global expertise, Bovis Lend Lease is well placed to ensure the project is completed within the challenging time frame and budget and still achieve sustainable outcomes for its stakeholders with its strict adherence to safe and sustainable practices incorporated right from design stage all the way through construction delivery.