Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) and Lendlease have officially broken ground on the new Comcentre, which is slated for completion in 2028.
The $3 billion development will feature more than 110,000 square metres of gross floor area across two 20-storey Grade A office towers. It will also include 20,000 square metres of retail and lifestyle spaces (comprising Singtel’s new flagship store, F&B offerings, medical suites, a gym, and an auditorium) along with the largest elevated urban park in central Singapore.
Set to be Singapore’s first AI-enabled building, the Comcentre will be powered by dedicated 5G+ connectivity using network slicing technology provided by Singtel. This will support the seamless integration of AI, IoT sensors, and building systems to enable predictive operations, resource optimisation, and enhanced security.
The building will also feature smart infrastructure that adapts to environmental conditions, alongside technology-enabled spaces designed for the future of work and retail.
“The new Comcentre will be the first AI-enabled building powered by dedicated 5G+ connectivity with network slicing to deliver ultra-fast speeds, seamless connectivity and robust security for its tenants. [We are] creating a place not just for ourselves but for businesses to use the latest technologies to develop new products and solutions and thrive. This will showcase how advanced connectivity, data and intelligent systems can transform the way people work, live and engage with their environment,” says Singtel Group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Carbon-neutral from end to end
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Besides that, the Comcentre will be a carbon-neutral development, from design through construction and operations, through the use of smart building and digital technologies. It is on track to be the first in Singapore and Asia to achieve a ‘Triple Certification.’
The development is targeting the International Living Future Institute’s Zero Carbon certification and the WELL v2 Core Platinum Certification from the International WELL Building Institute. It also aims to become Singapore’s first Green Mark Platinum (Zero Energy) high-rise commercial building under the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)’s sustainability guidelines, meeting all five of BCA’s sustainability badges.
Designed to achieve 70% energy savings from the Green Mark 2005 baseline, the building will cut energy consumption by an estimated 12 million kWh annually, enough to power over 3,750 three-room HDB flats, said Lendlease group CEO and managing director Tony Lombardo.
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To meet these targets, the project will include efforts such as:
- 1,000 kWp onsite renewables installed through the use of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels and building integrated photovoltaic panels (BiPV) to generate renewable energy
- Centralised high-efficiency dual-temp chiller plant supported by Active Chilled Beam and Variable Air Volume hybrid cooling system with elevated setpoint temperature for improved energy efficiency
- Low heat gain façade with high-performing glazing and extensive building shading to reduce cooling demand
- Smart lighting system with daylight and occupancy sensors for adaptive dimming and energy savings
- High-efficiency lifts with Variable Voltage Variable Frequency, sleep mode and regenerative features to optimise energy use
- EV-ready infrastructure, enabling up to 30% of parking lots to support electric vehicles (EV)
The development will also reduce potable water use by 69% (equivalent to 25 Olympic-sized swimming pools) through rainwater harvesting as well as using NEWater for toilet flushing and a water intelligence system.
“[This project] combines our deep expertise in sustainable development with a vision for how people will live, work and connect in the future. We are proud to partner with Singtel to deliver a world-class asset that not only redefines the workplace, but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable and connected living in Singapore and beyond,” says Lombardo.
Integrated digital delivery and new contracting model
The redevelopment will showcase a digital-first approach to construction. Lendlease and its partners will implement 19 integrated digital delivery (IDD) use cases, ranging from digital design checks and virtual coordination to real-time asset monitoring and digital operations.
Advanced construction methods will also be used to cut on-site labour needs by up to 30% and shorten delivery timelines by as much as 20%, according to a joint press statement.
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At the same event, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat highlighted the Comcentre’s innovative contracting model as a blueprint for future developments.
“It is amongst the few major private sector projects in Singapore to incorporate an open-book payment model with gain share and Guaranteed Maximum Price, and is a forerunner for more collaborative and risk-sharing models in Singapore’s Built Environment sector. This is a progressive shift away from the traditional lump sum contracting model that is common in the industry today,” he says.
Under this arrangement, contractors are reimbursed for actual costs up to an agreed ceiling, with cost savings shared between the developer and builder. This encourages continuous innovation, joint problem-solving, and aligned incentives towards delivering better outcomes.
“When completed, the new Comcentre will not only be a showcase of future-ready infrastructure but also a model of how sustainability, technology and collaboration can come together to redefine and transform our built environment for future generations to come,” adds Chee.
As at 12pm, shares in Singtel are trading 6 cents higher or 1.54% up at $3.96.
