Race to be ready for F1

Sep 13, 2008

Contractors have one more week to finish work on the corporate suites

CONTRACTORS are rushing to get the majority of the 180 corporate suites for the inaugural SingTel Singapore Grand Prix ready on time.
These suites, which were contracted out to local firms Kingsmen Creative and Pico Art International, must be handed over to race promoter Singapore GP around the end of next week.

With the deadline fast approaching, ‘there is a sense of anxiety’ about the progress of the works, an insider closely involved in the event’s organisation told The Straits Times.

But many, especially those at Turn 3 and the Pit Entry, have not yet been fitted out with bars, full-length glass panels or carpeting.

The smaller suites can host 50 guests, while larger ones can accommodate over 100 high-end clients of multinational corporations which have invested top dollar to book these facilities for the Sept 26 to Sept 28 event.

‘We have to hand over everything on Sept 20,’ said one project supervisor, on condition of anonymity.

‘We’re working till 10pm every night, and while I can’t say there’s no rush, we still are on schedule.’

Others involved also insisted that the suites could be completed on time.

Kingsmen executive director Anthony Chong said: ‘As one of the major contractors for the infrastructure development relating to the 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, we are confident of completing the project on time and on budget.’

Most of the corporate suites – which in deals signed between Singapore GP and the two firms cost several million dollars in total to put up – are located within the northern loop, where the Start/Finish straight is.

Three-day tickets to such suites cost between $3,500 and $6,500 per person.

Construction of the suites in public areas, such as at the Stamford Grandstand, opposite One Raffles Link, started only a few weeks ago.

There are at least 10 ‘bare’ suites within the northern loop. Other suites are only half-done, with furnishings like tables, chairs, bar-stools and television sets not fitted yet.

Some toilets within these facilities are bare, and do not have bowls, sinks or urinals.

The view from vantage points like the Singapore Flyer gives an inkling of the task ahead for contractors.

Most of the pit entry suites have yet to be fitted out.

A contractor who wanted to be known only as Ilyas said that work had been delayed there because of soft soil in the area.

A large concrete slab had to be installed before work could begin, pushing the starting date back by around a week from July.

‘We really have to rush, it’s very tight,’ said Ilyas.

‘We started work only about three weeks ago.’

At the Turn 3 Grandstand fourth floor open terrace, the structures are up, but some plush fittings, such as green carpeting, have not been installed yet.

Construction materials still occupy the entire area, roughly the size of four classrooms.

And at what will eventually be a first- aid point behind the Pit Grandstand, there are only two piles of sand, one up to 15m in height.

A dirt path, which eventually will be where food and beverage outlets will be sited, lines the rear of this grandstand.

Officials from the FIA, motorsport’s governing body, will be here in just over a week to check on progress and grant approval for the circuit.

With the deadline fast approaching, ‘there is a sense of anxiety’ about the progress of the works, an insider closely involved in the event’s organisation told The Straits Times.

But a Singapore GP spokesman insisted: ‘All our major contractors have given us their complete assurance that they will deliver all the infrastructure, including the grandstands and corporate facilities, on schedule.

‘With any large scale event, the pace during the last week proceeds at breakneck speed as all the elements get slotted into place.’

Added a source involved in the mega-project: ‘This is Singapore, we know it’ll be done on time. But it could have been earlier.’

(Source: The Straits Times – 13 September 2008)

Trackside restaurants roll out F1 packages

September 13, 2008

Companies find that official grandstands are not the only place to entertain clients

IF you were hoping to scrimp on Formula 1 tickets by parking yourself at one of the trackside bars or restaurants, think again. Most of the outlets that have a prime view of the race are organising their own F1-themed events, which won’t come cheap.

PRIME VIEW
Le Saint Julien will boast a mini grandstand overlooking Turn13 – a challenging hairpin bend. Its package prices range from $688 (for Sept26 practice sessions) to $4,888 (for three days, including the main race)
Fullerton Water Boat House restaurant Le Saint Julien, which recently signed a deal with race organiser Singapore GP (SGP), will boast a mini grandstand overlooking Turn 13 – a challenging hairpin bend.

The package offers guests free flow of champagne and wine, canapes as well as a sit-down dinner, and comes with a price tag ranging from $688 (for Friday’s practice sessions) to $4,888 (for three days, including the main race). While this is pricier than the $3,500-$4,500 charged for a three-day pass at the Stamford grandstand hospitality suites, it still works out cheaper than the suites at the pit and the turns ($5,000-$6,500) and of course, the exclusive Paddock Club ($7,500).

St Julien has yet to fill its 80-person capacity. ‘On average, bookings across the three days hover at about 50 per cent,’ said Alastair Hunt, SGP’s circuit park manager.

Meanwhile, Suntec City has booked out three of its meeting rooms – which overlook Turn 7 – to two groups of clients. ‘Clients approached us and asked us if they could run a premium menu on those specific dates,’ said director of sales, Ong Wee Min.

In addition, its Chinese restaurant Pearl River Palace – which also has a view of the race circuit – has modified its menu to offer a buffet (starting from $138 nett) complete with special live stations for the race weekend and will limit capacity from its regular 380 down to 150 so guests have sufficient space to move about. Bookings for Sept 28 ($288 nett) currently run at 65 per cent, added Mr Ong.

The Axis bar over at the Mandarin Oriental, which has a view of the track, is featuring free-flow champagne and oysters flown in from Australia and New Zealand for $325++ a head on Sept 26 and 27, and a whopping $500++ per person on Sept 28. Guests will also be able to watch the race on the six plasma televisions that will telecast the race ‘live’.

Despite the high prices, the Axis bar – which can accommodate 100 people – has already been three quarters booked for the night of the Grand Prix. ‘For bookings, we have both corporate and individual guests but the majority are corporate outfits entertaining their top VIPs,’ said Ruth Soh, director of communications. ‘Our priority now is not to oversell the outlet as we want all of our guests who are paying $500 to enjoy the race in a comfortable and spacious setting.’

Swissotel The Stamford is also seeing a ‘good mix’ of bookings from both companies and individuals for its restaurants and bars that overlook the circuit.

Outlets such as ‘Jaan, Equinox Restaurant, City Space and New Asia have private functions booked during the three-day period’, said Aiden McAuley, general manager of Swissotel The Stamford.

Bars New Asia and City Space are charging $50++ per head – inclusive of one complimentary drink – as cover charge, while Equinox will be running both lunch and dinner menus as well as Sunday brunch.

Pan Pacific’s Cantonese restaurant Hai Tien Lo, which is said to offer a ‘bird’s-eye view’ from its location on the 37th floor, has created set lunch and dinner menus from $148++ as well as an a la carte brunch buffet ($58++).

‘For Sept 28, Hai Tien Lo bookings are running quite high now,’ said Carolyn Goh, marketing promotions manager.

Alternatively, there’s the option of watching the race from the viewing gallery on level 4, which overlooks Raffles Boulevard. This, however, only comes with one standard drink for the price ($108++).

Over at the viewing deck of the Singapore Flyer, The Bubble Lounge will offer guests a view of the final stretch of the track. Guests are expected to include ‘international and local celebrities, models and F1 racers’ and will be limited to a couple of hundred people, organisers said. At this point, 60 per cent of the tickets ($688 each) have been sold which include three-day walkabout F1 tickets, a bottle of Mumm champagne, a ride on the Flyer as well as free river taxi rides from Clarke Quay.

(Source: Business Times – 13 September 2008)

360-unit Concourse Skyline signals confidence in Singapore’s property market

Concourse Skyline | Singapore brand new luxury homes for sale

Leading property investment and development company, Hong Fok Corporation, today launched a new 360-unit residential development that offers sweeping waterway and city views, and overlooks Singapore’s newest and most exciting attractions.

The Concourse Skyline will be at the centre of Singapore’s new “action” zone. Overlooking the newly developed pit lane of the Singapore GP; the proposed Singapore Sports Hub, and the upcoming Marina Bay Integrated Resort, the location will offer buyers buzz and excitement year-round.

Complementing the action activities are the attractions of the nearby Singapore Flyer and the future Gardens by the Bay, and an unmatched location next to Singapore’s convention and business centre.

The development, which includes 40-storey and 28-storey residential towers, is targeted at city-dwellers seeking an exciting and fast-paced lifestyle in one of Singapore’s future prime property districts.

Hong Fok Director SE Cheong said the developer and marketing agents are confident the development will attract strong interest from buyers, both in Singapore and abroad.

The development, designed by internationally renowned architect Philip Cox, will offer a range of one-to-four bedroom apartments, skysuites, penthouses, and super penthouses.

“We believe there is strong underlying demand in the Singapore market for appropriately priced and unique developments. We believe the Concourse Skyline meets those criteria and is priced to sell.”

Mr Cheong said Hong Fok was targeting an average sales price of between SGD$1,500 to SGD$1,800 per square foot (psf) for the one-to-four bedroom apartments.

“Concourse Skyline represents a strong investment opportunity in terms of likely capital appreciation, and we anticipate will also generate above-average rental returns to the owner.”

The two 10,000sqf-plus super penthouses, four expansive penthouses, and four unique two-storey skysuites, all with individual swimming pools, ensures the development meets the needs of a variety of buyers, Mr Cheong said.

To enhance the living experience, the Concourse Skyline offers residents the opportunity to retreat to a Sky Garden on the 29th storey, or enjoy the recreational facilities of a lap pool, gym, hot spa and jacuzzi, and barbecue area on the 5th floor.

The 99-year leasehold property will be previewed to selected buyers in upcoming days.

Mr Cheong said the Concourse Skyline offered a front-row seat to Singapore’s action zone.

“As the only significant residential development in that area, the Concourse Skyline will have unobstructed views across a ring of exciting attractions, offer the joys of waterfront living, and is at the centre of an area that has the potential to become one of Singapore’s future prime residential districts.”