The 8 Shenton Way mixed-use tower is being developed in the Tanjong Pagar district of Singapore. Credit: SOM.
The 305m-high tower is expected to be the tallest in Singapore. Credit: SOM.
The 8 Shenton Way tower's design is inspired by bamboo forests. Credit: SOM.
The tower’s second floor will incorporate an open-air green space with restaurants. Credit: SOM.
Construction of 8 Shenton Way is scheduled for completion in 2028. Credit: SOM.

8 Shenton Way is a 305m-high mixed-use tower being developed in Singapore. It is expected to be the tallest skyscraper in the country and one of the most sustainable buildings in Asia upon completion.

Perennial, an integrated real estate and healthcare company based in Singapore, is developing the mixed-use project along with a consortium of investors, including Alibaba.

8 Shenton Way tower’s design was revealed in October 2022 while construction is scheduled for completion in 2028. The tower will offer a unique live, work, and play environment that promotes user interaction.

8 Shenton Way won the Future Project Award under the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Awards program in July 2023.

Location

8 Shenton Way will be developed in Shenton Road between the Central Business District and Marina Bay in the Tanjong Pagar district. It constitutes a redevelopment of the 50-storey AXA Tower built on the site in 1986.

The new mixed-use tower is the first project being undertaken as part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore’s CBD Incentive Scheme, which includes the development of office buildings, a retail precinct, a hotel, luxury residences, SOHO-style units, and event and public spaces.

The site is easily accessible by the underground pedestrian network and connected by several public transportation options. It has direct underground accessibility to the Tanjong Pagar Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station and Maxwell and Prince Edward MRT stations.

8 Shenton Way design and features

The 63-storey 8 Shenton Way tower will have a gross area of 148,000³¾Â². It will include offices, a retail area, a hotel, luxury residences, and public spaces. The luxury residences named SkyWaters Residences will occupy the tower’s uppermost levels.

Inspired by bamboo forests, the skyscraper features a stepped structure reflecting the vertical elements found in nature. A series of garden terraces will be located on every five to six floors of the building.

The building’s facade will incorporate natural materials, including champagne-coloured terracotta, and bamboo on the exterior walls. Lobbies will incorporate materials such as wood, stone, and terracotta flank artwork.

Amenities

The tower’s second floor will feature an open-air green space with dining options, designed to attract birds and butterflies. Additional amenities include a multifloor atrium and a reflecting pool.

Post-pandemic design concepts including contactless technology, advanced filtration systems, anti-microbial coatings, improved natural airflow, and large outdoor spaces, will be incorporated throughout the building.

A public performance and events space comprising retail, seating, and bicycle racks will seamlessly link the building to the street.

Financing

The project is being financed by a S$3bn ($2.19bn) loan provided by a group of eight financial institutions including DBS, OCBC Bank, Bangkok Bank, China CITIC Bank International, Hong Leong Finance, Malayan Banking, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, and UOB.

OCBC Bank is the facility agent and security agent for the loan, which is considered to be one of the largest real estate green loans in Asia.

Sustainability features

The tower will incorporate sustainability features to achieve the Building and Construction Authority Singapore Green Mark Platinum certification.

The existing foundation and infrastructure of the AXA Tower will be fully repurposed to reduce material use and embodied carbon. The project will also use recyclable aggregates produced through a low-carbon process for its concrete structure, apart from Singapore Green Building Council-certified materials during the construction.

Sun-shading fins will be installed on the facade to prevent excessive solar heat and increase energy efficiency. The skyscraper will be oriented in such a way that sufficient ventilation and natural light will be ensured.

Vast outdoor green spaces and landscaped gardens, including verdant garden and sky terraces, will cover more than 10,000m² of the building.

Water efficiency will be a priority, with measures such as rainwater harvesting for irrigation and the installation of water-efficient fittings, in line with Singapore’s Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards.

Contractors involved

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), an architecture company based in the US, was appointed as the architectural design consultant for the project.

DCA Architects, an architect based in Singapore, is the main architect of 8 Shenton Way.