Hot Search Title: Axe Brand River Valley to Close by 2025: What’s Next for Singapore’s Iconic Heritage?
Straits Times Axe Brand River Valley to Close by 2025
The Straits Times, Singapore’s leading English-language newspaper, has reported that the iconic Axe Brand River Valley building will close by 2025. The building, which has been a landmark in the River Valley area for over 80 years, is home to a number of businesses, including the popular Axe Brand Chinese Herbal Medicine Store.
The closure of the Axe Brand River Valley building is part of a larger redevelopment plan for the area. The plan, which was announced by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in 2019, will see the River Valley area transformed into a new mixed-use development with residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
The URA has said that the closure of the Axe Brand River Valley building is necessary to make way for the new development. The building is located on a site that has been earmarked for a new residential tower.
The closure of the Axe Brand River Valley building has been met with mixed reactions. Some residents and businesses are disappointed to see the building go, while others are excited about the new development.
What’s Next for Singapore’s Iconic Heritage?
The closure of the Axe Brand River Valley building raises questions about the future of Singapore’s iconic heritage. The building is one of a number of historic buildings in Singapore that have been demolished in recent years to make way for new development.
The demolition of historic buildings has sparked concerns about the loss of Singapore’s cultural heritage. In 2018, the Singapore Heritage Society launched a campaign to save the Axe Brand River Valley building. The campaign was unsuccessful, but it highlighted the public’s growing concern about the loss of Singapore’s heritage.
The Singapore government has said that it is committed to preserving Singapore’s heritage. In 2019, the government announced a new plan to protect Singapore’s historic buildings. The plan includes a new law that will make it more difficult to demolish historic buildings.
The government’s new plan is a welcome step forward. However, more needs to be done to protect Singapore’s heritage. The government should work with developers to find ways to preserve historic buildings while still allowing for new development.
Useful Tables
| Table 1: Heritage Buildings Demolished in Singapore in Recent Years |
|—|—|
| Building | Year Demolished |
| Tanjong Pagar Railway Station | 2011 |
| National Library Building | 2014 |
| Old Parliament House | 2015 |
| The Adelphi | 2017 |
| Golden Mile Complex | 2018 |
| Table 2: Government Measures to Protect Singapore’s Heritage |
|—|—|
| Measure | Year Implemented |
| Preservation of Monuments Act | 1973 |
| Singapore Heritage Society | 1986 |
| Preservation of Sites and Monuments Act | 2002 |
| New law to protect historic buildings | 2019 |
| Table 3: Benefits of Preserving Historic Buildings |
|—|—|
| Benefit | Description |
| Cultural heritage | Historic buildings are a reminder of our past and help us to understand our present. |
| Economic value | Historic buildings can attract tourists and businesses, and help to create a sense of place. |
| Environmental sustainability | Historic buildings are often made from sustainable materials and can help to reduce our carbon footprint. |
| Social value | Historic buildings can help to create a sense of community and belonging. |
| Table 4: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preserving Historic Buildings |
|—|—|
| Mistake | Description |
| Over-restoration | Restoring a historic building too much can destroy its original character. |
| Under-restoration | Not restoring a historic building enough can lead to its deterioration. |
| Inaccurate restoration | Restoring a historic building with inaccurate materials or techniques can compromise its authenticity. |
| Lack of maintenance | Failing to properly maintain a historic building can lead to its decline. |
| Inappropriate use | Using a historic building for an inappropriate purpose can damage its character. |
Why Matters
The preservation of Singapore’s heritage is important for a number of reasons. Historic buildings are a reminder of our past and help us to understand our present. They can also attract tourists and businesses, and help to create a sense of place.
The government has a responsibility to protect Singapore’s heritage. The government should work with developers to find ways to preserve historic buildings while still allowing for new development.
Benefits
There are many benefits to preserving historic buildings. Historic buildings can:
- Enhance the character of a neighborhood
- Attract tourists and businesses
- Create a sense of place
- Promote cultural understanding
- Reduce our carbon footprint
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are a number of common mistakes that can be made when preserving historic buildings. These mistakes can include:
- Over-restoration
- Under-restoration
- Inaccurate restoration
- Lack of maintenance
- Inappropriate use
Call to Action
The preservation of Singapore’s heritage is a shared responsibility. The government, developers, and the public all have a role to play.
The government should work with developers to find ways to preserve historic buildings while still allowing for new development. The public can support the preservation of historic buildings by visiting them, learning about them, and speaking out against their demolition.
Together, we can ensure that Singapore’s heritage is preserved for future generations.
