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Tan Boon Liat Building: From its unusual beginning to an uncertain future

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Facade of Tan Boon Liat Building for story on en bloc on Feb 4, 2025.

ST PHOTO: TARYN NG

Built in 1976, the 15-storey Tan Boon Liat Building in Outram Road was put up for public tender on Feb 3. The minimum asking price is $1.15 billion and the tender closes on March 18.

ST PHOTO: TARYN NG

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SINGAPORE – The possibility of Tan Boon Liat Building being demolished is a “very sad” one for Mrs Judy Chok, the widow of architect Chok Yan Hoi, who designed the building in the 1970s.

I guess I’m being sentimental. One has to embrace change, but sometimes I feel we shouldn’t change for change’s sake,” the 83-year-old tells The Straits Times on the phone. “But I’m grateful I can still go down to certain places and still have fond memories, and see the legacies he left behind for us.”

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