From barracks to bedrooms

Source : Today - 12 Aug 2008

Former Changi Camp buildings to be transformed into tourist hotel

HOTELS operators are being sought to give these two rundown barracks buildings near Changi Village a new lease of life.

They used to be part of a military camp in Hendon Road. However, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) believes they can be readily adapted into a hotel and is inviting a public tender.

Since last year, SLA has awarded four state properties in the Changi area for adaptive commercial re-use.

After receiving strong response, two are now restaurants.

A third property, the former Changi General Hospital in Halton Road, is being transformed into a spa resort. Ground-breaking will take place next month and it is expected to be ready by next year.

This fourth property, comprising two blocks of three-storey buildings in the former Changi Camp, comes with a land area of just 100,000 square feet, slightly larger than a football field.

It is being offered for hotel use for an initial term of three years on renewable terms up to 2018. The guide rental is $28,500 per month.

Mr Teo Cher Hian, an SLA director, said: “SLA is offering a number of vacant state properties for adaptive re-use such as hotels and lifestyle attractions in line with the Government’s vision for Changi Point as an attractive and rustic seaview hotel, resort and recreational destination.

“This latest property will add greater buzz and vibrancy to the Changi area,” he said.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) director Caroline Leong said: “A hotel development on the former Changi Camp site will provide an ideal alternative for visitors who prefer staying in a rustic environment.”

The first state property to be converted for hotel use was in Chin Swee Road off Havelock Road. Today, it is a boutique business hotel called Hotel Re! with 140 rooms.

It was officially opened in mid-May with an initial occupancy of around 50 per cent. Its general manager, Mr Joseph Ong, said he expects the occupancy rate to improve in coming months.

According to STB, mid-tier and economy hotels enjoyed healthy average room occupancy rates of between 85 and 87 per cent in the first half of this year.