URA to gazette National Aerated Water Factory building for conservation

THE main building of the former National Aerated Water Factory at 1177 Serangoon Road will be gazetted for conservation, Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced on Friday.

The two-storey, L-shaped, Art Deco-style building was completed in 1954, and used to be a bottling factory that produced soft drinks such as Sinalco, Kickapoo Joy Juice and Royal Crown Cola. It is one of the last few remaining structures along the stretch of the Kallang River that harkens to the area's industrial past, the URA said.

The building is owned by Selangor Dredging Bhd. The conserved building, including a signage tower, will be integrated into a new residential development, the URA said. The conserved building will be kept fenceless along the main road and the river. One corner of the building and internal floors will require reconstruction to allow vehicular access to the rear of the site. The URA said it will work closely with the building owner to guide the reconstruction when the residential development is completed.

"This building is not only historically significant as a familiar landmark along the Kallang River, it also holds fond memories for Singaporeans for the popular soft drinks it produced from 1950s to 1990s," URA chief executive Lim Eng Hwee said in a statement.

Selangor Dredging managing director Teh Lip Kim said: "We are glad to partner URA on this conservation journey to retain the building and integrate it as part of the new development. The building will be transformed into a unique and lively commercial area located next to a park connector, adjacent to the Kallang River. We are keen to contribute to sustainable projects where we can, and will put in our best effort to make these projects distinctive."