SINGAPORE – Tanjong Katong Complex has been put up for sale on a 30-year lease by the authorities, marking a shift from previous plans to run and operate the building themselves.

       The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said on Oct 18 that it is seeking proposals that will rejuvenate the complex as a commercial node in Paya Lebar, while preserving the rich cultural value of Geylang Serai as a community precinct.

       It also wants future developers to ensure that the complex has a mix of commercial offerings and outdoor public plazas for community events such as exhibitions, concerts and the annual Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar.

       The announcement comes after SLA said in 2021 that it was going to close the complex for renovation works for three years, from August 2023.

       It also means that those original plans, where the SLA would operate the refurbished building when it was ready in 2026, have been canned.

       Dr Maliki Osman, chairman of the Geylang Serai Cultural Belt Steering Committee, said at a media briefing on Oct 18 that the authorities “had a rethink about what more can we do to enhance Tanjong Katong Complex”.

       Dr Maliki, who is also Second Minister for Education and for Foreign Affairs, said the authorities decided to do something different and have a private company run the building, which “might give new life and new perspective” to the complex.

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       Built in 1982, the complex has been a landmark in the Geylang Serai Cultural Belt and was frequented by the Malay community because of its mix of cultural trades before its closure in 2023.

       SLA said the successful tenderer will now undertake the rejuvenation of the complex, which is located on a 1.3ha site. It is zoned for commercial use and has a gross floor area of about 19,000 sq m.

       Key architectural features of the complex, such as its slanted columns facing Tanjong Katong Road and the four cylindrical-shaped structures at its four corners, will have to be retained.

       At least 1,500 sq m will need to be set aside for Malay cultural trades or Malay entrepreneurial incubation spaces, as part of efforts to preserve the cultural flavour that Tanjong Katong Complex has long been associated with.

       The agency added that Geylang East Public Library – currently located near Aljunied MRT station – will be relocated to the refreshed complex, which will also house offices of key Malay/Muslim organisations, such as the headquarters of community self-help group Mendaki and an Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) office on its fourth storey.

       The successful tenderer will have to set aside 3,600 sq m for the Mendaki and Muis offices, and 2,400 sq m for the library – both these spaces will remain under state ownership.

       To support the financial viability of the development and allow space to be carved out for the offices and library, the tenderer will be allowed to build a new building of up to five storeys tall, bringing the gross floor area of the entire rejuvenated complex to 30,166 sq m.

       The rest of the floor area can be for commercial use, such as shops, medical clinics, restaurants and supermarkets.

       Pedestrian connectivity to nearby commercial and community developments such as Wisma Geylang Serai and Paya Lebar Quarter will also be improved.

       Pointing to entrepreneurial young stallholders at the annual Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar, Dr Maliki said he hopes the spaces set aside for incubation will allow young entrepreneurs to test their ideas year-round, and turn Tanjong Katong Complex into a space “that can attract new blood”.

       Dr Maliki said the forthcoming move of Mendaki’s headquarters from Kee Sun Avenue in Siglap to the rejuvenated complex is significant, as the new building is much more accessible.

       Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said locating both Mendaki and Muis in the same building would create a “one-stop hub where beneficiaries can easily access comprehensive services and learning opportunities”.

       Mr Karamjit Singh, chief executive of property consultancy Delasa, said turning the building over to the private sector will lead to the curation of a “complementary tenant mix” and modern retail concepts, given that these firms have more experience and expertise in running commercial developments than public agencies.

       He added that earmarking a minimum of 1,500 sq m, or about 5 per cent of the maximum gross floor area, as space for business incubation and cultural trades “is not unreasonable given its location and history” and the building’s cultural heritage.

       The tender will be open for four months and will close on Feb 25, 2025. Interested tenderers can find out more at SLA’s State Property Information Online portal.