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URA: Former National Aerated Water Factory building to be gazetted for conservation

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Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has announced that the main building of the former National Aerated Water Factory at 1177 Serangoon Road will be gazetted for conservation.

Recognising the building’s heritage value, URA said that its role as a landmark in the area and the social memories it holds for the community, the building owner, Selangor Dredging Berhad (SDB) is supportive of the conservation efforts and is working closely with URA to keep the building as part of Singapore’s national history.

Ms Teh Lip Kim, Managing Director of SDB said, “As the building owner and a responsible community stakeholder, Selangor Dredging Berhad is pleased to support the conservation effort on the former National Aerated Water Factory, a well-known heritage landmark in the Serangoon area. We are glad to partner URA on this conservation journey to retain the building and integrate it as part of the new development.”

“The building will be transformed into a unique and lively commercial area located next to a park connector, adjacent to the Kallang River. We are keen to contribute to sustainable projects where we can, and will put in our best effort to make these projects distinctive,” she added.

Completed in 1954, this Art Deco Style building is a well-known local landmark along Serangoon Road. It was the bottling factory that produced popular soft drinks such as Sinalco, Kickapoo Joy Juice and Royal Crown Cola.  It is also one of the last few remaining structures along the stretch of Kallang River that reflect the area’s rich industrial past, and contribute to the heritage of the Kallang River.

Mr Lim Eng Hwee, Chief Executive Officer of URA said, “This building is not only historically significant as a familiar landmark along the Kallang River, it also holds fond memories for Singaporeans for the popular soft drinks it produced from 1950s to 1990s. We are heartened that Selangor Dredging Berhad sees the significance of the building and supports its conservation.”

“The conservation of this heritage-rich building would not have been possible without the support from the owner and recognition of the building’s significance from the community,” he noted.

URA stressed that the two-storey L-shaped main building facing Serangoon Road will be conserved, which includes the signage tower, a representative feature that many will be familiar with.

It added that other significant features are the balcony with fair faced brick parapets, the Art Deco timber transom panels and the concrete sun shading ledge that spirals out of a circular window.

“Retaining heritage while meeting Singapore’s development needs in land-scarce Singapore requires a delicate balance,” the authority said.

It said that the conserved building will be integrated into a new residential development, allowing the story of the building to be brought to life through adaptive re-use.

According to URA, the conserved building will be kept fenceless along the main road and the river, giving the public a chance to get up close and personal with this heritage gem from Singapore’s past.

“To facilitate adaptive re-use of the conserved building and allow vehicular access to the rear of the site, reconstruction of a corner of the building and the internal floors will be required. URA will work closely with the building owner to guide the reconstruction when the residential development is completed,” it said.

As part of its efforts to celebrate Singapore’s built heritage, URA said that it works with owners of developments, stakeholders and the larger community to tell stories of days gone by involving our built heritage, such as for this National Aerated Water Factory building.

Members of the public who wish to be our partners in promoting the heritage of this building or share their memories of this building can write to us at [email protected].

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