SINGAPORE: Brace yourselves, Singapore! Singtel's groundbreaking new headquarters, dubbed the Comcentre, is set to revolutionize the Orchard Road landscape with a staggering 20,000 square meters of lifestyle and retail space.

Scheduled for completion in 2028, this architectural marvel will rise at Exeter Road, featuring Singapore's largest elevated urban park and a pet-friendly zone, all under a stylish sheltered arcade.

With a whopping S$3 billion (US$2.3 billion) investment, the impressive redevelopment will encompass two sleek 20-story towers, with a total floor area exceeding 110,000 square meters. But that's not all!

The first few floors will be buzzing with life, offering a wealth of amenities including a state-of-the-art gym, an auditorium, a medical center, trendy eateries, and diverse retail outlets.

While a major portion of the development—80%—will be devoted to Grade A office spaces, the cutting-edge workplace will also feature Singtel as the co-developer and anchor tenant, utilizing 30% of the building.

A new underground walkway will seamlessly connect Devonshire Road, Killiney Road, and Exeter Road, enhancing accessibility in the area.

During the recent groundbreaking ceremony, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat expressed excitement for the transformation, highlighting how the revitalised Comcentre aims to create a vibrant community hub, uniting diverse groups and bolstering local businesses.

In a bid for sustainability, the project targets a remarkable 70% energy efficiency improvement compared to its 2005 benchmarks and a remarkable annual generation of 1,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy via green technologies like solar panels.

The design will embrace lush greenery, with nature integrated into the ground floor, open terrace on the fourth floor, and even a rooftop garden.

Chee emphasized the ambitious vision for Singapore's sustainable infrastructure, hoping the Comcentre will serve as an exemplary model of how commercial success can harmoniously coexist with environmental responsibility.

Making waves in building certification, this centre is on track to become the first in Asia to achieve three major green-building certifications, very much in line with the green building movement.

Tony Lombardo, CEO of Lendlease Group, highlighted the project’s eco-forward thinking, revealing that 90% of materials from the demolished structure will be recycled.

He boldly stated that the initiative not only sets a new standard for workplace innovation but also redefines sustainable living for Singapore—an inspiration for future developments worldwide.

Celebrating the project, Building and Construction Authority CEO Kelvin Wong acknowledged its significance in Singapore's green building agenda, aiming for 80% of structures to achieve super low energy standards and significant energy efficiency improvements by 2030.

Singtel and Lendlease are also pioneering the use of cutting-edge technology and AI solutions to ensure the operations are as energy and water-efficient as possible.