The freehold site near Potong Pasir MRT station was recently sold for $47 million to a Malaysia-listed developer. (Photo: Savills Singapore)
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has revealed that the former National Aerated Water Company, one of the last few reminders of Singapore’s industrial past, may be conserved, reported The Straits Times.
“We recognise the architectural and heritage value of the National Aerated Water Company’s building and its role as a landmark in the area,” said a URA spokesman.
“This is a private property, and we will engage the building owner to explore the possibility of conserving the building.”
Located near the Potong Pasir MRT station, the freehold site which houses the disused bottling company was recently sold for $47 million to Malaysia-listed developer Selangor Dredging Berhad.
Zoned for residential use under the land use Master Plan, the site can yield 117 apartments.
Set up in the late 1920s by three brothers, the building that once bottled soft drinks such as Sinalco, Green Spot, Kickapoo Joy Juice and Royal Crown Cola sat dilapidated after the company ceased operations in the 1990s.
The sale and potential razing of the art-deco structure has caused concern among the heritage community. A Facebook page called Save The National Aerated Water Company Building was even set up in a bid to save the building.
In 2007, several individuals in the heritage community flagged the historic building for conservation to the URA.
Aside from the building’s art deco design, Dr Yeo Kang Shua, Assistant Professor of Architecture and Sustainable Design at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, also highlighted the structure’s rear, which features a unique saw-tooth roof design.
He noted that the clever design allowed “a lot of daylight into a very deep factory building, therefore minimising the reliance on electricity”.
“I hope that the new owner appreciates the historical significance of the site to Singaporeans, and is open to work with the authorities to work on a development plan that is sensitive to the historic structure.”
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
