Four storeys will be added to the conserved Golden Mile Complex, along with a new 45-storey residential tower named Aurea. 

The Golden Mile Complex, a historic building in Singapore, is set to undergo a major transformation. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has approved plans to add four stories to the complex and construct a new 45-story residential tower called Aurea.

Key points about the project:

• Conservation and Expansion: The Golden Mile Complex, a 16-story building completed in 1973, was gazetted for conservation in 2021. The new plan involves adding four stories of office space to the complex.
• Aurea Tower: A 45-story residential tower with 188 units will be built and connected to the complex via a link bridge.
• Incentives and Considerations: The developer, a joint venture between Perennial Holdings, Far East Organization, and Sino Land, received incentives from the URA to support the conservation and redevelopment of the complex. These incentives included lease renewal, bonus floor area, and development charge waivers.
• Design and Integration: The URA has ensured that the new additions are designed to be in harmony with the conserved building and meet technical height regulations. The design approach, conservation measures, and project timeline will be shared in a future media briefing.

Opinions on the project:

• Original Architect’s View: Tay Kheng Soon, the original architect of Golden Mile Complex, expressed concerns about the height of the Aurea tower, stating that it might dwarf the conserved building. He suggested a lower building on a larger site to maintain scale.
• Architect’s Perspective: Melvin Tan, president of the Singapore Institute of Architects, acknowledged the need to balance heritage preservation with commercial viability. He emphasized the importance of keeping the complex relevant and attractive while allowing for necessary additions.

The redevelopment of Golden Mile Complex aims to revitalize the historic building while accommodating modern needs. The project’s success will depend on the careful integration of the new additions with the conserved structure and the overall impact on the surrounding area.