Among the growing number of business parks in Singapore that serve as clusters for businesses engaged in specialised trades is the Singapore Science Park (SSP). Established in 1984, SSP currently houses over 350 local and foreign companies engaged in biomedical, research and development (R&D), and technology development.
Located along Singapore’s Technology Corridor, the SSP consists of Singapore Science Park 1 and Singapore Science Park 2. It spans an area of 65 hectares and is also part of the Greater One-North community.
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Science Park 1
The Science Park 1 (SSP1), which spans a land area of 30-hectares, was first developed in the 1980s to provide a conducive environment for R&D companies. By July 1995, when SSP1 was fully built, it had 21 buildings, accommodating more than 4,600 people from 100 organisations.
Fast forward to 2021, CapitaLand announced the development of a new life science and innovation campus, known as Geneo, as part of its multi-stage rejuvenation plans. This is in addition to the 8 older buildings in SSP1 that have been redeveloped. The $1.37 billion new project is expected to offer over 180,000 sq m of gross floor space and would bring the total working population in the precinct to about 21,000 (up from 12,000 currently) when completed in 2025. It will consist of 5 sustainability-built and energy-efficient buildings that will enhance the work-live-play options at SSP1.
Here’s a look at what each of the buildings in SSP1 offers:
The Cavendish
It’s a four-storey building with prime modular and column-free units. The units offer maximum flexibility and cost efficiency, which might be suitable for activities ranging from wet laboratories to software development, IT services, and even data centres.
Cintech I/II/III
Cintech I, II, and III are part of a cluster of three prime and space-efficient buildings. They offer ready-to-move-in units fitted with ceiling work, central air-conditioning, and raised flooring that could be suitable for companies in infocomm technology, product design & development, R&D engineering, and back-end business operations. Additionally, there is a food court within Cintech I that could provide workers with a convenient option to have their meals.
Cintech IV
Cintech IV is a six-storey building that offers units that are modular-shaped and column-free, allowing for efficient space planning. It is ideal for laboratories and office setups that could suit companies in infocomm technology, product design & development, and R&D.
The Chadwick
It’s a four-storey building with prime modular and column-free units. The units offer maximum flexibility and cost efficiency, which might be suitable for activities ranging from wet laboratories to software development, IT services, and even data centres. There is a childcare centre within the building, catering to the needs of workers seeking preschool options.
The Curie
It is another four-storey building with prime modular and column-free units, which enables maximum flexibility of space. It could be ideal for activities ranging from wet laboratories to software development, IT services, and even data centres.
Geneo
The new life sciences and innovation cluster, known as Geneo, comprises Grade A-developments at 1, 5, and 7 Science Park Drive.
The building at 1 Science Park Drive offers 53,600 sq m of workspaces, including wet lab-ready units and 3,600 sq m of retail, F&B and lifestyle amenities. It is ideal for activities in innovation, design & development, data processing, and industrial training.
As for the building at 5 Science Park Drive, it is designed for future-economy businesses and talents. It integrates larger floorplates, collaborative workspaces, and more business and lifestyle amenities. It currently boasts Shopee as one of its tenants.
On the other hand, the mixed-use development at 7 Science Park Drive integrates 28,800 sq m of workspaces with 250 units (totaling 10,000 sq m) of serviced apartments under the Citadines Science Park Singapore.
The Rutherford & Oasis
It is an integrated development comprising two wings. The Rutherford offers bare shell units suited for wet and dry lab facilities, ideal for biomedical, life sciences, chemical or infocomm technology industries. The Oasis offers a wide selection of lifestyle amenities, such as a swimming pool, climbing gym, fitness centre, eateries, function rooms, and auditorium.
Science Park 2
The masterplan for the second site – Science Park 2 (SSP2) – was devised in 1992 in anticipation of the growing demand for R&D spaces in Singapore. Not long after, SSP2, welcomed its first tenant – the Institute of Microelectronics – in 1994.
Subsequently, SSP2 was expanded by another 15-hectares of land in 2000, totaling 35-hectares in size. New buildings like The Galen and The Kendall were constructed on the extended site in 2003 and 2009, respectively.
Similar to SSP1, it was announced in 2007 that SSP2 would be rejuvenated in 3 phases over a 10-year period. Under the redevelopment plan, CINTECH IV became the first building to be completed in 2009.
Here’s a look at what each of the buildings in SSP2 offers:
Teletech Park
A distinctive-looking 3-storey building with two interconnecting blocks. Designed with regular floor plates allowing for full space maximisation and central air-conditioning, it could be suitable for businesses in IT, media, product design & development, and engineering R&D.
The Alpha
Located within the entrance of SSP2, the four-storey building has two interconnecting blocks. It offers both bare shell units and fitted units with false ceilings, central air-conditioning, and the option of raised flooring that could suit varying business needs. Additionally, there is a food court and a childcare centre within the building.
The Gemini
It is a four-storey building with two interconnecting blocks that feature modular and column-free bare shell units as well as fitted spaces with a false ceiling, spilt unit air conditioning, and lighting. It offers both wet and dry laboratory facilities that cater specifically to businesses in the biomedical, life sciences, chemical, and IT industries.
The Aries
Sited at the heart of SSP2, the Aries is a T-shaped, four-storey research building that features a prime bare shell and fitted spaces. These units come with a false ceiling, spilt unit air conditioning, and lighting and are suitable for office and R&D activities, from wet laboratories to software development and IT operations.
The Capricorn
Located near the entrance of SSP2, it is a five-storey building that features both bare shell and fitted units equipped with false ceiling, lighting, and central air-conditioning with the option of raised flooring. This could be suitable for office and R&D activities in chemicals, life sciences, software development and IT industries.
The Galen
It is a six-storey building consisting of bare shell units that are modular and column-free, allowing for maximum space efficiency. These units are designed specifically for R&D engineering, chemicals, life sciences, and IT companies. The Galen also houses the Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab, a platform for like-minded industry professionals to co-innovate, collaborate, and test smart solutions.
The Kendall
The six-storey building is a dedicated R&D business location that features laboratory and office spaces, including R&D activities such as biology experiments and software development.
Amenities & Facilities Available In SSP
Workers at the SSP can enjoy a wide range of facilities located within the precinct. For instance, the building at 5 Science Park in SSP1 offers an outdoor gym that is based on Instinctive Body Movement and a community garden where chillies and ladies’ fingers are grown. This is in addition to other sporting options at The Oasis, which houses fit bloc that offers a swimming pool, an indoor gym, and bouldering walls that serve those seeking to work out a sweat.
SSP1 also offers a large retail and F&B offering with Geneo that adds to the options for workers who may otherwise travel to nearby hawker centres.
Over at SSP2, a two-storey amenities development, Sparkle, located between The Aries and The Gemini, was built in 2015. It offers workers in the park more F&B options, as well as housing CoSpace Park, a co-working environment offering flexible desks, private offices, event spaces, meeting rooms, and other shared facilities.
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Connectivity To SSP
The SSP, which is within a 15-minute drive from Singapore’s CBD, is well-connected via the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE). From the expressway, drivers would be able to conveniently reach Science Park Drive via Normanton Park. It is also conveniently accessible to public transport commuters who could reach SSP via the Kent Ridge MRT station or Haw Par Villa MRT station.
There is also a shuttle service that loops around SSP1 and SSP2 and to the nearby MRT stations on Mondays to Fridays at a cost of $0.40 per trip. Additionally, a lunch-hour shuttle service is also provided to bring commuters from SSP to nearby food centres.
Rejuvenation Of SSP Ensures It Remains Competitive To Attract New Businesses
The Science Park plays an integral role in attracting and retaining businesses in life sciences and R&D in Singapore.
The rejuvenation plans of SSP are one way to help ensure that it is not only future-ready but also enables the community within it to gain an enhanced sense of belonging. These efforts are also integral to solidifying Singapore’s status as a biotech hub and ensuring the creation of high-value jobs in the life science industry.
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