NEA PRESS RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE NO: 49/2006
DATE OF ISSUE: 13 NOV 2006
The iconic Tiong Bahru Market reopened for business on 1 June 2006 at its original location after undergoing upgrading works by the National Environment Agency’s Hawker Centres
Upgrading Programme (HUP) at the cost of $17m.
The 2-storey building which exudes an old world charm, has a roof top car park and consolidates three smaller buildings into one, namely the old Tiong Bahru Market, Blk 84 (a block of HDB shops) and 84A (HDB's hawker centre) Lim Liak Street. It is, to date, the largest market to be upgraded under HUP.
Located next to the Tiong Bahru conservation area, the design of the new Tiong Bahru Market draws its inspiration from the art deco-style architecture. The employment of concrete ledges, rounded corner treatment and circular columns all echo the characteristics of such architecture. The facade and massing treatment are also in line with the nearby SIT (Singapore Improvement Trust) flats built in the 1950s. Though the rebuilt market's height has been capped by URA so as to blend in with the flats, NEA still managed to provide a generous expanse of ceiling height in this centre that houses some of Singapore's tastiest hawker treats. Further evidence of the old world charm of this place are the two staircases in the internal courtyard, which had been carefully modeled after the designs found in the SIT flats.
The market layout offers easy access for pedestrians. The centre fronts Seng Poh Road and Lim Liak Street with multiple entry points. Additionally, a newly created pedestrian mall is carved out of the former Kim Cheng Street. A formal entrance foyer, which houses escalators and lifts to the food centre, marks the junction of Seng Poh Road and Lim Liak Street. An existing old tree has also been preserved at this junction.
around a central landscaped courtyard, market stalls are distributed on the 1st storey while cooked food stalls line the peripheries on the 2nd storey. There is easy access between the two levels via two escalators, two lifts and 8 staircases.
naturally ventilated, the market incorporates a new mechanical exhaust system for the cooked food stalls. Columns within the dining areas are expressed like “mushrooms” and the ceiling around them glows at night. Due to the large number of stalls, the dining areas are divided into 3 zones, each having a distinctive colour scheme. There is also an area for al fresco dining, which brings back memories of the old food centre.
rooftop carpark has a total of 119 parking lots and it has direct access to the market via lifts and staircase. The landscaping on the roof has been given a soft touch with plants and trellises. The market also offers conveniences such as ATMs and an AXS machine. Elderly and handicapped-friendly facilities such as escalators and lifts, and toilets are both elderly and disabled-friendly, in addition to having diaper-changing rooms.
revamped market will be declared open by Assoc Prof. Koo Tsai Kee, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC this Saturday morning. There will be a flea market and live performances at the market from 9am to 12pm to commemorate this special occasion.
~~ The End ~~
