URA launches first Paya Lebar Central site for sale

THE Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) yesterday launched a commercial land parcel in Paya Lebar Central for sale by public tender - the first site offered for sale in that area.

The 99-year leasehold site, which is at the junction of Paya Lebar Road and Eunos Road 8, has a site area of 159,870 square feet and a maximum gross floor area (GFA) of 671,450 sq ft.

In line with the plan for Paya Lebar Central to be a major commercial centre, the upcoming development on the site will have to set aside at least 80 per cent of the total GFA for office use. The remaining GFA can be allocated for additional office use or other uses permitted under the commercial zoning.

'The site is envisaged to be developed into a good-quality office development that would appeal to businesses that do not need to be located within the city centre, as it is a mere 10-minute drive from the central business district,' said URA.

The government's vision is for Paya Lebar Central to become a bustling commercial centre, with a mix of office, retail, hotel and public spaces. The precinct has about 12 hectares of land available for development and a potential commercial floor space of more than five million sq ft in total.

Analysts expect a top bid in the range of $500-600 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr) for the plot. The site is expected to draw good interest from developers as it offers a choice alternative for tenants who do not need to be in the central business district but find Tampines and the business park in Changi to be too far.

'This site is anticipated to receive warm interest from developers due to its strategic location and the promising outlook for the office property market, which is poised for an overall sustained gradual rental recovery supported by broad-based incremental business expansion plans,' said Ong Kah Seng, Cushman & Wakefield senior manager for Asia-Pacific research.

Observed DTZ South-east Asia research head Chua Chor Hoon: 'With the office market on the rise, the successful tenderer stands to benefit from higher rents when the development is completed in a few years' time.'

This land parcel is next to Paya Lebar MRT station, which serves the Circle and East-West MRT lines. The tender for the site closes at noon on April 21, 2011.

Published January 28, 2011
By UMA SHANKARI

Source: www.businesstimes.com.sg