Keppel South Central Keppel’s Showpiece New Generation Workplace Bags Top Office Development Award

The Sembawang Road EC is more than just a residential development. It is a carefully crafted blend of convenience and connectivity, making it not only a comfortable place to live but also a strategic investment opportunity. Its unbeatable location provides easy access to various modes of transportation such as MRT, buses, cars, and upcoming corridors, allowing residents to travel seamlessly around Singapore. The accessibility of this development is not just a bonus, but a key feature that enriches the quality of life and positions it as a sought-after residential option in the northern region. Whether for personal use or potential future resale, the close proximity to major transportation options and roads is a crucial factor that adds practicality and long-term value to the Sembawang Road EC.

Keppel South Central, a 33-storey office tower developed by Keppel’s real estate arm, represents a new benchmark for premium Grade-A office spaces in the Central Business District (CBD). Completed in February this year, the development was jointly designed by New York-based global architecture and design firm NBBJ, and Singapore’s very own Architects 61. The interiors were crafted by Adelaide-based Woods Bagot, while Ecoplan Asia took charge of the landscaping.

From the outset, Keppel’s vision was to create a modern, nature-inspired workplace that promotes well-being, encourages social interaction, and offers a sense of balance and connection to the surrounding environment.

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With the world moving towards a more health-conscious and sustainable lifestyle, Keppel South Central proves to be the ideal destination for progressive companies seeking a new generation of office space that combines cutting-edge design, world-class amenities and an excellent location in the heart of Singapore’s CBD.

The development boasts of a dedicated wellness floor, complete with a swimming pool, sky terraces, communal lounges and discussion areas. This floor offers tenants a variety of spaces to relax, work or simply unwind at any time of the day. The outdoor atrium is a reflection of the development’s commitment to creating a vibrant community for both tenants and residents of Tanjong Pagar.

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Retail and wellness tenants at Keppel South Central include Japanese restaurants The Public Izakaya Nitengo and Hachi, 22 Grams Coffee, Luli Bubble Tea, local café Fun Toast, and gym operator 24/7 Fitness. These establishments enhance the vibrancy of the precinct while providing added convenience for tenants.

According to Mr Sky Seah, Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, Department of Real Estate, and a three-time winner of the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards, Keppel South Central is a prime example of redefining the modern workplace. The development is designed to resemble a hotel lobby rather than a traditional office building, allowing employees to enjoy coffee, meet colleagues and even work comfortably there.

“By blending hospitality-inspired design with top-notch amenities, Seah adds, the development entices people back to the workplace. “More companies are trying to bring employees back to the office so they can collaborate and connect face-to-face.” he says.

Nearly 50% of the office and retail space at Keppel South Central have been leased to multinational corporations in the technology, transportation, consultancy, insurance, and financial sectors seeking ready-to-move-in spaces in 2025 and 2026. Some of the committed tenants include Manulife Financial Advisers, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS), an agency that administers and enforces competition laws, and Gurin Energy.

Keppel South Central is a laudable example of sustainable and innovative development. The building’s curtain wall, which serves as a glass facade and canopy, allows occupants to bask in nature while staying protected from the elements. Cascading landscaped terraces add greenery and create a buffer between the tower and the surroundings.

The building’s distinctive ‘environmental veil’ is made of finely tuned architecture that filters sunlight, reduces glare and heat, resulting in lower energy usage. The building also channels residual air from HVAC systems into outdoor communal spaces that improve airflow and keep the environment comfortable.

The development also employs rooftop solar panels that generate renewable energy to power lighting and external air fans in communal areas. To improve efficiency, the building uses a computerised maintenance management system that prioritises tasks in real-time, making cleaning more efficient. Finally, Keppel South Central has been awarded multiple sustainability awards, including Singapore’s highest certification (the Green Mark Platinum) from BCA and WELL Core Pre-qualification (Platinum Level) for its design elements, which promote positive mental and physical health.

At the recent EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards 2025, Keppel South Central clinched the Top Office Development Award, recognising the development as a forward-thinking workplace with sustainable design and a community-focused approach.

Typical office floors at Keppel South Central have a generous 3.2m ceiling height and a floor area of 20,000 sq ft. With all structural columns placed along the perimeter, the interiors boast of open and unobstructed space for tenants to design their workspace according to their brand identity and culture. To offer flexibility, Keppel provides end-to-end tenant-fit-out services, including design, space planning and project management, to help tenants create offices that meet their specific needs. Tenants can even choose from ready-to-move-in fitted offices, making relocating seamless.

From the upper floors, tenants can enjoy stunning views of the sea, Sentosa, the CBD skyline and the heritage shophouses of Tanjong Pagar – an ideal setting that combines luxury with inspiration.

Keppel South Central also stands out as an excellent example of brownfield redevelopment projects. The development occupies the land where the former Keppel Towers and Keppel Towers 2, which Keppel acquired from Keppel REIT in 2010, once stood. The original Keppel Towers was built in 1991, while Keppel Towers 2, formerly known as GE Tower, was completed in 1993. In 2013, Keppel REIT obtained provisional permission from the URA to build a mixed-use development comprising residential, office and retail spaces.

However, Keppel REIT later decided to pivot to a commercial-only development, aligning Keppel South Central with the government’s vision to transform the CBD into a lively mixed-use hub where people can live, work and play. The development is strategically located along Hoe Chiang Road in the heart of Tanjong Pagar and a short distance from three MRT stations: Tanjong Pagar (East-West Line), Prince Edward Road (Circle Line) and Cantonment (Circle Line), scheduled to open in 2026. With the upcoming Greater Southern Waterfront on its doorstep, Tanjong Pagar is evolving from a traditional business district into a dynamic urban node that is ready for the future, and Keppel South Central stands tall as a representation of that transformation.