Bye Bye McDonald's Place.

This was taken sometimes in March 2014. This building was McDonald's Place at 11 King Albert Park. It has been around for so long as it's one very popular McDonald's in Singapore. Many people have fond memories here.



KopiKosongGirl says we got to go there and have a last meal. We were going off to Australia for holidays and when we are back, it would have been closed.



So here's our last supper here.
As of today as this is posted, half the building has been demolished. So fast!

We are missing it!



(Viewing on a retina display? This photo will look clearer if you click on the photo and view it in Flickr)

Painting the walls....

We have always pass this art / graffiti / mural / whatever you call it.
I finally decided to take a photo of it few weeks ago.



It really catches your eye doesn't it?
It's also almost life size, look at the real human walking pass near the tree.



To make it even more interesting, there's a fake window with people watching too!
This is at OCBC at Sixth Avenue.


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Retrolicious in Tiong Bahru

I was walking around Tiong Bahru the other day and took a photo of this.

It's one of those retro buildings, and it's what caught by eye was the "Block Number Sign".



It reminded me of the Chinese New Year sign that people hang up all over the country now!
Don't you think so?

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hall, Singapore

Did you know there's a Mahatmas Gandhi Memorial Hall in Singapore?
It's located at Race Course Road.



The original building was opened in 1953.

It has been conferred conservation status on 30 April 2010 and this current refurbished building was opened in January 2011.

If you would like to read more, you can refer to Singapore's National Library's Infopedia.

Dragon on the wall....

Look up and you will see very interesting buildings in Singapore, especially in the many conservation areas in Singapore.



Look at the green dragons on wall!
Or are they huge green lizards?


On the sideline....
This building is at the corner of Joo Chiat Lane and Joo Chiat Road.
Over the weekend, I met Philip Chew (same firstname as me!) who's grandfather was Chew Joo Chiat. The name that Joo Chiat Lane / Joo Chiat Road / Joo Chiat area is named after!
How interesting isn't it? He shared with me how the buildings were like in the past, what a knowledgeable man!

You can read more about Mr Chew Joo Chiat at: http://mychewjoochiat.blogspot.com

Green Building....

Saw this literally 'green building'.
It's in the CBD and I won't be able to afford this.



It's interesting how buildings are getting 'green' nowadays.

I wonder what other green stuff they have inside. Sometimes it might be difficult for people here who are used to certain way things should be to become green.

Eg: I was in Hong Kong airport recently and realised they used rain water for flushing the toilet. The water is not crystal clear like how we are used to here in Singapore. When I went into the toilet, I thought the person before me had not flush! Then when I flushed, I realise the water is not clean, and wanted to flush again. It was then I realised it was rain water!

Would locals here (or you) accept slightly murky water for flushing? If they are going to process it crystal clean, what's the point, that would be counter productive, it will take more energy to clean it up.

Fusionopolis

I like to look at buildings and take photos of them. I also like to dig out information about buildings.
Phase 1 of Fusionopolis was designed by Japanese architect, Kisho Noriaki Kurokawa.




I always wondered how they can think of such nice designs in the first place.
Is that why an architecture degree takes such a long time to complete?



Who's at Fusionopolis? A*Star, Linden Research Labs (think Second Life), Media Development Authority (MDA) and even Asian Food Channel's office!

Just for your information, the architectural firm Kisho Kurokawa Architects also designed Singapore Flyer and also Wheelock Place. For some of you who thinks Wheelock Place has similarities with Melbourne Central (ie the glass cones), well, they were designed by the same architects!

ACS House

Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) is one of the many Christian-Methodist family of schools in Singapore.



Seen here, is the building that it all started, at 70 Amoy Street, with 13 pupils.
Read about the history here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Chinese_School

Pearl Bank Apartments

Whenever I pass by this apartment, I am in a moving vehicle, either in a bus or a car.
So when I take shots of this building, it's always a bit blurry.

I kind of like this building because of it's unique shape. I don't know how to explain, but if you google and read more about it, you might too.



If you take a look at the behind of it, it's like a 'horse-shoe'.

I just noticed something as I put up this post.
I realised that this building is actually taller (171m) than Pinnacle @ Duxton (168m)!






If you have been following the news, there are some staying here who wants to en-bloc the building.

There are also residents who are opposing people selling their homes. This site is quite interesting: http://www.pearlbankapartments.com/

Mapletree Business City

Things appear so quickly in Singapore. I have not been along Pasir Panjang Road / Telok Belangah area and suddenly I see new buildings up! 



A Mapletree Business City just appeared out of no where! It looks very sleek though!
I had to google to find the name of this place!

By the way, this is only 1 building out of the many buildings that is called Mapletree Business City. I should go visit the inside one day!

Jacob Ballas Centre

The Jacob Ballas Centre next to the synagogue.
I like the stained glass windows!



You should do a google/yahoo/bing about this centre. It has quite a history.
Even Jacob Ballas is linked all the way to Baghdad, Iraq!

For me, I shall visit this place and visit Awafi Restaurant there one day. One of the 4 places in Singapore to get Kosher food.

Maghain Aboth Synagogue at night

The Maghain Aboth Synagogue at night. I was walking past and thought it looked beautiful.



Constructed in 1878! It is the oldest Jewish Synagogue in South East Asia.

Borders, currently still open.

When Borders first opened, for bookstores, it became my first love for bookstore.
It was not before long that I had a change of heart, it became Kinokuniya. I became addicted to their 20% off offers.



Since June last year, when I could not wait for the iPad to reach Singapore and got it in UK, my books and magazines purchases are now done online, directly with US based stores. I subscribed to a year's worth of magazine (10-12 issues) for the price of 2 copies of the same title in Singapore dollars.


Coming back to Borders, if you take a look at the message at www.borders.com.sg
Note the 2nd line in the first paragraph. it says 'not currently'. Is that suggesting anything? Hmm...

It is glassy all over....

Garden city was so last year.

Singapore is now becoming more and more becoming a city of glass.
Every new building or building that has been refurbished in Singapore now use lots of glass.



Anyone recognise on which building are these glass panels on?
The hint might be the logo there.

Ships and more ships

From the ground level, the top floor of Marina Bay Sands hotel looks like a ship or an ark that's rested on top of the 3 buildings.

From the top of Republic Plaza, you can see there is another building (foreground) that looks like a ship too. They all seem to be heading for collision, if one does not change course.



The real ships are out at sea, there are so many of it, that you will lose count!

To me, the best view of the ships out at sea is when you are flying into Singapore at night. When the plane is flying very low, making a turn to land at Changi Airport.
 

Half a building

I walked past this building and thought to myself, I got to take a photo of this building!



Only half of it is left!

If you are looking from the front side, only the left part is left.
The right part has been chopped off!
The wall separating the two sides are still standing tall.

Shophouses and Steel and Glass Houses

On the foreground, old shophouses that have been around for the longest time.



In the background, brand new stylist glass and steel clad condominiums soaring up the skies.

Long ago, people stayed in shophouses. Nowadays, they are used only as 'shops',  the 'house' part is now condominiums for those who can afford it. People aspire to stay in glass and steel houses now. ;-)

Reflections again....

I got to see the 'advertisement' side of this property development.
Sigh... why am I so attracted to this development? I think it's the curvy building!

Got to save money dole for the downpayment?



When it's ready, I wonder how it will 'reflect'. Would be quite a sight.

I took this photo from the Royal Caribbean Cruise that was docked at HarbourFront.

Reflections

What a long name for a condominium - Reflections at Keppel Bay.

I can only reflect / dream about it. It's something that I can't afford. I can't even afford the down payment for a unit there.

It's the curves of the buildings that makes it look so attractive.
It looks nicer if you are at sea and look at the buildings.



If you own an unit there, when it's ready in the next few years, invite me over ok? ;-p

View of the Bay

It's always nice to see this. I was at the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay and took a photo of the Financial district.



On some flights to Singapore, the plane makes a big turn around before descending on Changi Airport. You can see this view too! You can recognise these buildings from the sky. Of course, it's not from this angle!