Mt Faber foothills slated to be next lifestyle hot spot

15 Aug 07

Recreational, dining facilities and tourist attractions are in the works

THE sleepy foothills of Mount Faber are set to come alive.
The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has been tasked with turning it into the next lifestyle-cum-entertainment hot spot in Singapore.

This was revealed by SDC chairman Loo Choon Yong at the official opening of golf's Asian Tour headquarters at Sentosa yesterday.

He said: 'The Singapore Tourism Board and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) have asked us to prepare a master plan to look at how we can develop the foothills at Mount Faber, and how we can incorporate it into the whole neighbourhood.'

He did not elaborate on what the master plan would contain, but said recreational activities, accommodation, tourist attractions and dining facilities are in the works.

He explained that Mount Faber was being tapped because the 500-ha Sentosa island was 'quickly running out of room'.

When contacted, MTI declined comment.

But The Straits Times understands that while plans are only in the preliminary stage, the bottom half of the 106-m-high Mount Faber has been earmarked for development.

No forest reserves will be touched. Only the foothills accessible by roads, such as Keppel Hill and Temenggong Road, will be revamped.

Dr Loo said that since the 10-year master plan for Sentosa is already in place, the next step is for what he dubbed a 'Greater Sentosa'.

'Together with Resorts World at Sentosa, VivoCity, St James Power Station and Mount Faber, Sentosa will form a vital part of this world-class environment to live, work and play in Singapore,' he explained.

'Plans to include Faber foothills in this vision are currently being explored, with more details to be announced in due course.'

He added: 'Now, Sentosa is an exciting place, and so are VivoCity and St James Power Station. There are residents, activity and nightlife. So, I think the Faber foothills present an opportunity.'

He declined to reveal the costs involved, the exact location or the expected completion date of the project.

The idea to develop the area has surfaced in the past - in 2002, when the Urban Redevelopment Authority launched an Identity Plan, which combined ideas and proposals on how to keep and enhance the special character of 15 areas in Singapore.

One of the suggestions was the creation of 'hillside villages', with shops and activities, at Mount Faber's foothills. It was also proposed that the old black-and-white bungalows along the foothills be converted into culinary schools, bed-and-breakfast lodgings, restaurants or museums.

Miss Susan Teh, chief executive officer of the Mount Faber Leisure Group, which owns The Jewel Box, a leisure and dining complex housed in the revamped Mount Faber Cable Car station, said it was 'too preliminary' to comment on the area's development plans.

'However, we have been in talks with the relevant authorities in exploiting this strategic location,' she added.


By Jeanette Wang & Lim Wei Chean

I saw the Jewel area was partially hoarded up this evening... probably undergoing some kind of works as mentioned above?

Took some pictures of the views from Mount Faber to share here

Facing the Sentosa Side

Facing the city's direction. NParks should seriously consider prunng the trees. The views are gonna be blocked very soon.

with the impending completion of the "Southern Ridges " project, probably the next phase of contructing the access path from the HarbourFront towards the hilltop.

Groundbreaking for New Concept Restaurant at The Jewel Box

Unveiling of the Country’s Most Creative and Innovative Architecture

On 1 March, in yet another breakthrough from Mount Faber Leisure Group, work will commence on the transformation of the current Altivo into a brand new concept restaurant. The new structure will be carefully integrated into the natural surroundings of Mount Faber, and is targeted to be completed by year end. This is one of the country’s most forward-thinking and dynamic architectural projects.

The location of The Jewel Box is unique as it’s probably the only F&B and entertainment spot in Singapore that can boast of being embraced by nature and at the same time, having a panoramic view.

Taking on the project is a carefully selected and outstanding team of architects from K Y T A, which includes a Japanese expert as its key members. The Japanese, in general, are reputed for their strong belief in quality and painstaking attention to detail, and these characteristics of the project team are part of the reason they were chosen. K Y T A has visualised an arbour that arcs gracefully and seamlessly into the environment, so visitors are able to enjoy leisure strolls in lush, open surrounds.

The new structure is a forward-thinking architectural piece with a thoughtful nod to the Green movement in its design aesthetics, building methods and use of materials. For one, it is an organic structure that is designed to be cohesive with its natural surroundings, with a strong focus on highlighting the beauty of its environment. K Y T A even worked with National Parks Board to integrate into the design three existing mature Angsana trees situated on site. The trees’ positions and the spread of their branches were carefully mapped out in the blueprint, following which the ‘ribs’ were carefully inserted into free and appropriate spaces.

The most prominent feature of this green architecture is the giant arcs, or ‘ribs’, curving elegantly into the sky. The powerful structure inspires awe and the sense of wonder one feels in the face of nature. The structure will be constructed entirely with glue-laminated timber, uncommon in Singapore since wood is rarely used in architecture here. This is the first time glue-laminated timber is used on such a statuesque structure in the country. As its name suggests, each giant ‘rib’ is composed of smaller pieces of specially-farmed timber glued together.

This innovative technology is highly sustainable because it allows for large and structurally sound beams of timber to be manufactured from smaller sections, which means that the trees specially farmed for building are cut at optimum times for use without negative impact on the environment.

For the new structure, Hiba wood has been chosen. Used in Japan for the building of Shinto shrines and also to make bath-tubs, Hiba wood is prized for its antibacterial and insect-repelling properties, and is also known to be resistant to rot and humidity.

The new structure has in its core a floating crystal bar deliberately designed to look man-made. The clear slab resembles a crystalline ice block juxtaposing against the organic nature of the glulam structure and the natural surrounding. Surrounded by glass on all sides, patrons dining within will experience the illusion of being outdoors, under the lush canopy of the three existing Angsana Trees yet enjoying the cool comforts of an indoor environment. This 120-seater new concept dining will be mastermind by internationally acclaimed Singaporean chef Jereme Leung.

Chef Leung is one of the most prominent Chinese chefs in the world. He has founded and heads the renowned modern Chinese dining concept Whampoa Club, which gave birth to two award winning restaurants located respectively at the Three on the Bund complex of Shanghai and at The Financial Street of Beijing. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Science in 2000, ranking him as one of the ‘World’s Best Chefs’. He is the third among a handful of Chinese chefs to receive this award and stands alongside internationally recognised names such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Wolfgang Puck. The lauded Chef Leung, who has been responsible for multiple successful fine-dining Chinese restaurants in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Thailand, will now return to his adopted homeland as the mastermind of this new gourmet establishment.

Overhead, special attention is paid to the Teflon shelter extending over the structure. Dotted with a mesh of energy-saving LED lights, from a distance, it looks as if fireflies are hovering over the structure. In practical terms, Teflon is resistant to weathering, offers thermal insulation and low friction (so rainwater slides off easily without pooling).

On the ground level below the crystal core, guests will be able to savour international cuisine, including some local favourites, in the sidewalk bistro. The extended timber decks provide lovely respite. Stroll alongside Mother Nature and admire the elegant koi pond or take in marvellous views of the harbour and surrounding flora and fauna.

The finish of the new structure is based on a prima vera concept, which simply refers to how the natural look of the materials will serve as its decoration. The Latin term means primary veins and is used in relation to how the natural colours and veins in marble and natural stones are the decoration in themselves. Keeping materials raw and unfinished is logically sound since it helps minimise waste and is fitting with the theme of nature.

The timber used will be varnished to increase its longevity, but it will retain the natural grain patterns and tactile qualities. The floor of the crystal core will simply be kept as off-form concrete as a minimalistic reminder of its artificial quality mentioned previously. The glass walls will be unaffected save for discreet aluminium fins that creates dimension and which are also necessary for sieving out noise. The Teflon cover will be left a simple off-white to blend against the sky and to complement its mesh of tiny, twinkling lights.

The new structure will be a masterful extension to The Jewel Box and is as powerful and breathtaking as nature itself. Mount Faber Leisure Group has devoted much thought in the construction of the $7.5 million structure. The Jewel Box is constantly evolving as part of the Group’s effort to keep the iconic hilltop destination unique to its visitors. Says Mount Faber Leisure Group CEO Ms Susan Teh: “Tourism is one of Singapore’s most important industries and it is one that is increasingly sophisticated. As the country’s second most visited paid destination, it is important for us to keep innovating and remain relevant. This new creation will be another icon of this must-visit destination which will continue to attract international tourists and locals.”

 

This is how it looks now