Singapore’s OCBC mulling refurbishment options for iconic headquarters, CEO Helen Wong says
- The bank’s headquarters complex consists of the 52-storey OCBC Centre and smaller buildings nearby
- As the buildings are designated historic structures, the bank has to be extremely careful with its refurbishment plans, CEO says
OCBC Group, the second-largest bank in Southeast Asia, will soon make a decision about the proposed refurbishment of its iconic headquarters in Singapore, according to CEO Helen Wong.
She has categorically ruled out demolishing the entire existing building complex in Lion City’s main business district, but partially redeveloping the building complex is possible.
The complex includes the 52-storey OCBC Centre at 65 Chulia Street, as well as smaller buildings at 63 Chulia Street and 18 Church Street. The OCBC Centre was the tallest building in Singapore and Southeast Asia when it was completed in 1976. These have now been designated historic structures by the city state’s National Heritage Board.
“We have a very special building complex on a historic site and right on the Singapore River front,” Wong said in an interview. “It is so iconic that whenever we think about redevelopment or refurbishment, we have to think about how to preserve the appearance of the buildings. It is a well known landmark; it is historic and it is our home.”
