Sentosa Merlion to make way for themed linkway project
By Tiffany Fumiko Tay, The Straits Times, 21 Sep 2019
One of Sentosa's famous structures will be making way for a themed thoroughfare that will link its north and south shores.
The demolition of the Merlion statue is part of long-term plans to reshape the resort island and the adjacent Pulau Brani into a premier leisure and tourism destination.
The last day of operations for the Merlion will be on Oct 20.
Work to demolish the towering 37m statue, located in the heart of Sentosa, will begin by the year end, when construction on the $90 million Sentosa Sensoryscape project will commence.
The new double-level thoroughfare, which will occupy about 30,000 sq m, will connect the mainland-facing Resorts World Sentosa with the beaches in the south, and replace the existing walkway.
Lookout points, water features and other architectural elements will create a multi-sensory experience for visitors strolling across the island, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said yesterday.
Its completion by 2022 will mark the first milestone of the blueprint for the two islands, to be rolled out in phases over the next two to three decades.
Details of the Sentosa-Brani masterplan, announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the National Day Rally last month, were revealed at a media briefing on Sentosa yesterday.
The two islands will be divided into five zones. The Vibrant Cluster zone, which spans the two islands, will have large-scale attractions. Island Heart will feature hotels, conference spaces, dining and shops, while the Waterfront zone on Pulau Brani will house a Discovery Park.
The Ridgeline zone will connect green spaces from Mount Faber to Mount Imbiah and feature nature and heritage attractions, while Sentosa's beaches will be rejuvenated with a water show, fairgrounds and other attractions in the Beachfront zone.
Transport connectivity will also be enhanced, and a "Downtown South" resort modelled after the labour movement-run Downtown East in Pasir Ris will likely be built on Pulau Brani.
The 1.22 sq km Pulau Brani, about a quarter the size of Sentosa, now houses a port terminal, which will move to Tuas by 2027, along with the terminals in Keppel and Tanjong Pagar.
SDC chief executive Quek Swee Kuan said that rather than having distinct identities, the islands will be linked and integrated in their development, leveraging their island charm and proximity to the city.
When the Merlion statue was constructed in 1995, visitorship to Sentosa was between four million and six million, compared with more than 19 million last year, said Mr Quek. There is thus a need for a wider thoroughfare, and the Sensoryscape will double the current pedestrian capacity, he said.
"We won't relocate the Merlion because of its size, but we are considering how to commemorate it," said Mr Quek.
A new icon for Sentosa is also being considered, he added.
He confirmed that the Police Coast Guard headquarters on Pulau Brani will remain, but said that other plans for the island are still being developed.
Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Chee Hong Tat, who revealed plans to reshape the two islands in line with plans for the mainland last year, said that the blueprint aims to position Singapore as a leading tourist destination over the coming decades.
"There are also plans to see how we can, in the short and medium term, enhance the value of... the Southern Islands for eco-tourism, for families to visit and learn about a part of Singapore," he said.
By Tiffany Fumiko Tay, The Straits Times, 21 Sep 2019
The demolition of the Merlion statue is part of long-term plans to reshape the resort island and the adjacent Pulau Brani into a premier leisure and tourism destination.
The last day of operations for the Merlion will be on Oct 20.
Work to demolish the towering 37m statue, located in the heart of Sentosa, will begin by the year end, when construction on the $90 million Sentosa Sensoryscape project will commence.
The new double-level thoroughfare, which will occupy about 30,000 sq m, will connect the mainland-facing Resorts World Sentosa with the beaches in the south, and replace the existing walkway.
Lookout points, water features and other architectural elements will create a multi-sensory experience for visitors strolling across the island, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said yesterday.
Its completion by 2022 will mark the first milestone of the blueprint for the two islands, to be rolled out in phases over the next two to three decades.
Details of the Sentosa-Brani masterplan, announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the National Day Rally last month, were revealed at a media briefing on Sentosa yesterday.
The two islands will be divided into five zones. The Vibrant Cluster zone, which spans the two islands, will have large-scale attractions. Island Heart will feature hotels, conference spaces, dining and shops, while the Waterfront zone on Pulau Brani will house a Discovery Park.
The Ridgeline zone will connect green spaces from Mount Faber to Mount Imbiah and feature nature and heritage attractions, while Sentosa's beaches will be rejuvenated with a water show, fairgrounds and other attractions in the Beachfront zone.
Transport connectivity will also be enhanced, and a "Downtown South" resort modelled after the labour movement-run Downtown East in Pasir Ris will likely be built on Pulau Brani.
The 1.22 sq km Pulau Brani, about a quarter the size of Sentosa, now houses a port terminal, which will move to Tuas by 2027, along with the terminals in Keppel and Tanjong Pagar.
SDC chief executive Quek Swee Kuan said that rather than having distinct identities, the islands will be linked and integrated in their development, leveraging their island charm and proximity to the city.
When the Merlion statue was constructed in 1995, visitorship to Sentosa was between four million and six million, compared with more than 19 million last year, said Mr Quek. There is thus a need for a wider thoroughfare, and the Sensoryscape will double the current pedestrian capacity, he said.
"We won't relocate the Merlion because of its size, but we are considering how to commemorate it," said Mr Quek.
A new icon for Sentosa is also being considered, he added.
He confirmed that the Police Coast Guard headquarters on Pulau Brani will remain, but said that other plans for the island are still being developed.
Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Chee Hong Tat, who revealed plans to reshape the two islands in line with plans for the mainland last year, said that the blueprint aims to position Singapore as a leading tourist destination over the coming decades.
"There are also plans to see how we can, in the short and medium term, enhance the value of... the Southern Islands for eco-tourism, for families to visit and learn about a part of Singapore," he said.
Merlion demolition plan upsets some but experts say Sentosa overhaul vital
Proposed masterplan will be the first major redevelopment of island since the 1970s
By Tiffany Fumiko Tay, The Sunday Times, 22 Sep 2019
Plans to demolish the Merlion statue on Sentosa to make way for a new corridor linking the north and south of the island has upset some Singaporeans who hold nostalgic memories of the towering statue.
But experts say that a major revamp of the island is sorely needed and its redevelopment, along with that of adjacent Pulau Brani, could help boost Sentosa's appeal.
The Sentosa Merlion, the largest of the seven Merlion statues here, has towered over Sentosa for 24 years.
Visitors like Mr Colin Tan, 32, recall its nightly laser shows and the views from within the 37m-tall structure.
"I wish they could build around it or preserve it in some way," said Mr Tan, a consultant.
Student Joven Ang, 18, said: "The Merlion there represents Sentosa island, allowing Singaporeans to have a sense of belonging, and without it, it would kind of be meaningless, even if there are many attractions built."
While the statue may hold sentimental value to many, observers say Sentosa needs new attractions to keep the visitors coming.
"It's a pity that the Merlion couldn't fit into the plans; there is a sense of loss. But it is also a bit dated and rundown," said Dr Michael Chiam, senior tourism lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
He pointed out that the masterplan, details of which were announced last Friday, marks out the first major overhaul of Sentosa since it was developed as a resort island in the 1970s.
"It needs something to get people excited because now, after going once or twice, they most probably won't want to go again," Dr Chiam added.
The development of Pulau Brani will likely increase visits to Sentosa and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), he said, adding that the plans may give RWS an edge over its competitor, Marina Bay Sands (MBS), with business travellers.
"Most of the Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) organisers look at the sight-seeing and recreational component as well.
"So if you combine all these enhancements on the two islands, it may have a bigger offering than MBS," he noted.
Associate Professor Sing Tien Foo, director of the National University of Singapore's Institute of Real Estate and Urban Studies, said developing the two islands holistically provides the opportunity for bigger projects.
The islands will be divided into five zones with different themes, which will minimise duplication across clusters and cater to different groups more easily, Prof Sing pointed out.
The Sensoryscape, a double-level walkway that will connect the mainland-facing RWS to beaches on the south of Sentosa, will serve as an important spine to link larger areas, he said.
The Sentosa Boardwalk, for example, connects RWS with VivoCity, and walking trails could also be built between the two islands and Mount Faber.
Prof Sing noted that because the Pulau Brani masterplan will be implemented over the next two to three decades, much is likely to change.
One consideration in the long term is rising sea levels.
"If it isn't planned properly, the beaches will all be under water. One option is to cordon off part of the seafront," he said.
The Singapore Tourism Board said last Friday that the redevelopment of the two islands forms an integral part of Singapore's efforts to rejuvenate its leisure offerings and maintain its appeal.
While the construction of the Sensoryscape entails the closure of the popular Merlion attraction, "we are confident that both locals and visitors will have more to look forward to on Sentosa in the coming years when the five distinct zones are completed", it said.
Visitors can continue to visit the other six Merlion statues - at Merlion Park, Mount Faber, Tourism Court and Ang Mo Kio, the STB added.
A special edition of the Merlion's light and sound show will run until its last day of operation on Oct 20.
Proposed masterplan will be the first major redevelopment of island since the 1970s
By Tiffany Fumiko Tay, The Sunday Times, 22 Sep 2019
Plans to demolish the Merlion statue on Sentosa to make way for a new corridor linking the north and south of the island has upset some Singaporeans who hold nostalgic memories of the towering statue.
But experts say that a major revamp of the island is sorely needed and its redevelopment, along with that of adjacent Pulau Brani, could help boost Sentosa's appeal.
The Sentosa Merlion, the largest of the seven Merlion statues here, has towered over Sentosa for 24 years.
Visitors like Mr Colin Tan, 32, recall its nightly laser shows and the views from within the 37m-tall structure.
"I wish they could build around it or preserve it in some way," said Mr Tan, a consultant.
Student Joven Ang, 18, said: "The Merlion there represents Sentosa island, allowing Singaporeans to have a sense of belonging, and without it, it would kind of be meaningless, even if there are many attractions built."
While the statue may hold sentimental value to many, observers say Sentosa needs new attractions to keep the visitors coming.
"It's a pity that the Merlion couldn't fit into the plans; there is a sense of loss. But it is also a bit dated and rundown," said Dr Michael Chiam, senior tourism lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
He pointed out that the masterplan, details of which were announced last Friday, marks out the first major overhaul of Sentosa since it was developed as a resort island in the 1970s.
"It needs something to get people excited because now, after going once or twice, they most probably won't want to go again," Dr Chiam added.
The development of Pulau Brani will likely increase visits to Sentosa and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), he said, adding that the plans may give RWS an edge over its competitor, Marina Bay Sands (MBS), with business travellers.
"Most of the Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) organisers look at the sight-seeing and recreational component as well.
"So if you combine all these enhancements on the two islands, it may have a bigger offering than MBS," he noted.
Associate Professor Sing Tien Foo, director of the National University of Singapore's Institute of Real Estate and Urban Studies, said developing the two islands holistically provides the opportunity for bigger projects.
The islands will be divided into five zones with different themes, which will minimise duplication across clusters and cater to different groups more easily, Prof Sing pointed out.
The Sensoryscape, a double-level walkway that will connect the mainland-facing RWS to beaches on the south of Sentosa, will serve as an important spine to link larger areas, he said.
The Sentosa Boardwalk, for example, connects RWS with VivoCity, and walking trails could also be built between the two islands and Mount Faber.
Prof Sing noted that because the Pulau Brani masterplan will be implemented over the next two to three decades, much is likely to change.
One consideration in the long term is rising sea levels.
"If it isn't planned properly, the beaches will all be under water. One option is to cordon off part of the seafront," he said.
The Singapore Tourism Board said last Friday that the redevelopment of the two islands forms an integral part of Singapore's efforts to rejuvenate its leisure offerings and maintain its appeal.
While the construction of the Sensoryscape entails the closure of the popular Merlion attraction, "we are confident that both locals and visitors will have more to look forward to on Sentosa in the coming years when the five distinct zones are completed", it said.
Visitors can continue to visit the other six Merlion statues - at Merlion Park, Mount Faber, Tourism Court and Ang Mo Kio, the STB added.
A special edition of the Merlion's light and sound show will run until its last day of operation on Oct 20.
No comments:
Post a Comment