UOB Plaza, Singapore (28 July 2017)
UOB Plaza (GPS: 1.28539, 103.85063) is a complex of late-modernist skyscrapers in downtown Singapore. It is located at
Chulia Street. The building is owned by the United Overseas Bank, a bank founded in Singapore in 1935 by
Kuching-born Wee Kheng Chiang, father of present chairman Wee Cho Yaw.
UOB Plaza comprises the 67-storey UOB Plaza One and the 38-storey UOB Plaza Two. The two skyscrapers are linked by a lobby block that houses the banking hall.
UOB Plaza Two is the older of the two skyscrapers. It was completed in 1973 and was originally 30 storeys tall. It stood on the site of the three-storey Bonham Building, named after Bonham Street, and housed the United Chinese Bank, which was renamed United Overseas Bank in 1965.
In 1995, three years after the completion of UOB Plaza One, the 30-storey building was given a complete makeover, and returned as the 162-meter 38-storey UOB Plaza Two.
UOB Plaza One is a 280-meter skyscraper completed in 1992. It was designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, drawing inspiration on the
US Bank Tower in Los Angeles. It is one of the three tallest skyscrapers in Singapore, reaching the maximum permitted height level of 280 meters for the Central Business District (due to it being in the path of aircrafts approaching and leaving
Changi Airport). It is of the same height as OUB Centre and Republic Plaza.
The banking hall is housed is two storeys tall. It is graced by two sculptures, "City Room" by Salvador Dali, and "Bird" by Fernando Botero.
How to reach UOB Plaza
Take the
North-South Line or the
East-West Line of the Singapore MRT to the
Raffles Place MRT Station.
UOB Plaza One (28 July 2017)
UOB Plaza One, as seen from Circular Road, a watering hole for expatriates and office workers after hours. (28 July 2017)
UOB Plaza One, as seen from Circular Road, a watering hole for expatriates and office workers after hours. (28 July 2017)