CQ @ Clarke Quay Revitalised and Redeveloped

The revitalisation and redevelopment of an asset is not just a straightforward renovation of the physical facilities of a property but can also be a chance to improve on sustainability, community engagement and cultural integration of the entire area. A thoughtful asset manager can also take the opportunity to rebrand and enhance its offerings through a renewed experience for its visitors.

Located along the Singapore River in the heart of the city, the recently transformed CQ @ Clarke Quay (CQ) bustles with excitement and entertainment with its myriad of retail and lifestyle experiences for locals and tourists alike. Offering options for both day and night, the area’s historical charm and modern amenities blend together seamlessly to provide a unique atmosphere.

Lesser known is that sustainable features have been incorporated into its redevelopment that not only have a positive impact on the environment, but also enhance wellness and comfort of the community.

Approximately 34% of its recent rejuvenation cost was allocated towards improving operational efficiency and integrating sustainable building features. Because of these enhancements, CQ’s green rating has been elevated from Green Mark Certified to Green Mark GoldPLUS, both green building ratings conferred by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in Singapore.

Existing angel canopies were upgraded with advanced ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) membranes to increase thermal comfort.

Although naturally ventilated, visitors enjoy a comfortable stroll down the inner streets of CQ due to the upgraded angel canopies made with advanced ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) membranes that optimise the entrance of daylight while also reducing solar heat gain by 70%. New omni-directional fans have been installed, lowering the environmental temperature by approximately 2°C through evaporative mist cooling while reducing energy consumption by approximately 50% compared to standard fans. CQ’s property management systems were enhanced, including the upgrade of the building chiller plant to attain a system efficiency of 0.60kW/RT.

The WI.Plat technology is able to identify pipe leakages using an IoT sensor.

During the enhancement, the team took the chance to identify other rectification works required, including the detection of pipe leakages to prevent water loss and property damage. But with an extensive network of underground pipes beneath the historical structures, this process was complex and tricky. WI.Plat, a CapitaLand Sustainability X Challenge innovation, came in handy. It is a high-precision acoustic IoT sensor technology from Korea with a machine learning algorithm that identified otherwise difficult to locate underground pipe leaks.

Mural artwork by Yip Yew Chong and tobyato fronting Block B - The Warehouses

Many who visit CQ may not be familiar with its rich culture and legacy, including its past life as a major transshipment zone and a conduit for trade, where cargo from the tongkangs and twakows, historical cargo vessels, would be manually unloaded along the river. Seven warehouses were restored, preserving their godown typology while being adorned in new colours. Heritage jack roofs were reinstated and glass skylights incorporated to draw in natural light. The warehouse façades were painted with mural by local artists Yip Yew Chong and tobyato inspired by Clarke Quay’s heritage as a Teochew enclave. Upgraded steps doubling up as seats were added to the landing of Read Bridge, paying tribute to the Bridge’s historical role as a communal space, complemented by a new accessibility ramp incorporating upcycled wood pieces from the last two twakows. Furthermore, heritage panels and bronze plate tiles, strategically positioned throughout the area, recount the enthralling history of the Singapore River and Clarke Quay precinct, serving as educational elements for visitors as they explore the area's rich heritage.

CQ has also been enhanced with modern and exciting offerings and new retail concepts. Fairprice Finest Clarke Quay offers products in collaboration with Singapore- based partners and its Grocer Food Hall offers “You Pick, We Cook” services as well as curated cocktails infused with local flavours. Swee Lee Clarke Quay is housed in an approximately 60% of repurposed warehouse unit housing an experiential and community space and pet-friendly amenities.