Pulau Brani Will Be Like A Mini-Sentosa With A New Resort & Attractions
Arguably one of the best things to come out of this year’s National Day Rally Speech, was exciting plans to redevelop Pulau Brani — a little island off the coast of Sentosa.
If all goes well, Universal Studios Singapore (USS) won’t be the only attraction housed on this mini island near Sentosa island — at the southern tip of Singapore.
9,000 hectares of land will be dedicated to “new attractions similar to USS”, a spanking new resort, private & public waterfront houses, and green co-working spaces, reports TODAY.
Here are the other tantalising hints dropped by our government after the rally.
1. 2.5 times the size of Bishan
Currently, the island is occupied by a port terminal but plans to redevelop the area have been put into motion under the umbrella project name ‘Greater Southern Waterfront’.
This extends over 30km worth of coastline, from Gardens by the Bay all the way to the coastal area in Pasir Panjang.
To put this land mass into context, 2,000ha of land is about 2.5 times the size of Bishan.
2. Ports to move house to Tuas
Port terminals at these 4 locations are set to move to Tuas as soon as 2027, in about 8 years:
- Keppel
- Tanjong Pagar
- Pulau Brani
- Pasir Panjang (By 2040)
Once Brani terminal’s move is complete, the island’s space could be repurposed for entertainment, residential and commercial purposes.
3. Universal Studios Part II?
Buzzwords like ‘Universal Studios’ and ‘Downtown East’ have already been dropped in preparing Singaporeans for what is to come in the South.
Minister Ng Chee Meng likened Pulau Brani’s impending transformation to Downtown East in Pasir Ris — complete with green corridors to link up the west and east coast of Singapore.
4. Green corridors connecting East & West Coast Park
Imagine a day when it’s possible to cycle through West Coast Park all the way to East Coast Park via Pulau Brani.
Add to that the possibility of Sentosa and the real corridor in between, adding pitstops at Tanjong Pagar – a CBD district – all the way to the far north of Woodlands.
We’re definitely not saying no to more trees in our home districts, but the aim here seems to be to help Singapore to evolve from a garden city, into a city within a garden.
5. Sentosa to be revamped too
Long-time fans of Sentosa will also not be too disappointed by plans to rework the southern area. To create a “green heart” in the centre of Singapore, the resort will be “revitalised” with brand new heritage trails.
Seeing that there are already 3 brand new gorgeous hotels for staycations, we’re sure there are only great things to come in the future of Sentosa.
6. Breathing new life into 2 old power stations
In the early 2010s, university students recall chionging to bars and clubs at St James Power Station for a chill night out, or partying till late with friends.
Despite ups and downs over the years, the ex-power station has stood the test of time and continues to be a hangout for youth.
As for the 2 old power stations housed within Pasir Panjang’s premises, their history dates back to the 1960s, as electricity hubs for the city.
The government hopes to re-purpose the units in a similar fashion, to breathe new life into the buildings — just like St James Power Station did.
7. A second Mapletree Business City
With Google’s big move to the Mapletree Business City near Labrador Park, many SMEs and start-ups have followed suit — Cisco, Unilever notwithstanding.
Marrying co-working spaces with swanky residential units seems like the trend, especially since these office hubs will be stacked with the latest restaurants, concept gyms, and best malls Singapore has to offer.
Greater Southern Waterfront might just be home to idyllic CBD penthouses, just minutes away from your office — one more thing to aspire towards saving for.
Comparing the size of this estate to “the size of 2 Punggols”, there should be enough units – both public and private – to go around.
Looks like it’s time to ditch the Bishan queue, and consider planning ahead for a Pasir Panjang BTO instead.
From a little fishing village, to a city of the future
City planning in Singapore has its roots firmly planted in Sir Stamford Raffles’ creating Kampung Glam, Chinatown, Little India to establish enclaves for the different races 200 years ago.
Singapore has grown since those days, and is now a multicultural and ethnically diverse city with facilities catered to all races and religions.
Bayfront living on our little island, however, is still a prized commodity especially when we consider our humble beginnings as a port of call for seafaring migrants & traders.
We’re glad that with the new updates, we’ll indeed be growing from strength to strength — creating new sanctuaries & homes for future generations of Singaporeans.
That’s why we sincerely hope that Pulau Brani – nicknamed the ‘Island of the Brave’ – will indeed be the next crowning jewel of the South in the near future.
Featured image adapted from Sentosa Development Corporation via The Straits Times.
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