On August 3, 2018, more than 80 per cent of the unit owners in Golden Mile Complex formally signed an agreement to proceed with en bloc sales.

En-bloc sales date not finalised

While the actual date of the en-bloc sale has not been finalised, a group of architects, academics, and heritage specialists in Singapore have started a petition addressed to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to conserve the buildings.

Called Save Our Modern Icons, the petition believes that the effort (and success) put into conserving pre-war historic quarters like Chinatown and Emerald Hill should be applied to post-war icons such as the privately-owned Golden Mile and People's Park Complex.

While the latter has not undergone any collective sale, the people behind the petition believe that it will soon go the same way as Golden Mile Complex and Pearl Bank Apartment.

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Been around since the 70s

Both Golden Mile and People's Park were completed in 1973 and 1970 respectively, designed as a reflection of our nation's new yet bold identity as a newly independent state.

According to the petition, continuous conservation of "signature landmarks and districts of each era" will strengthen our city's fabric.

While the petition acknowledges that owners of conserved structures will not receive an immediate windfall if en-bloc sales are not carried out, it argues that conserved buildings "retain their value" in the long run.

At time of writing, over 1,100 signatures have been gathered.

If you're interested, you can take part in the petition here.

Position Paper by Singapore Heritage Society

The Singapore Heritage Society has also produced a position paper on the three Modernist icons, their background, obstacles to conservation, as well as the consequences of demolishing them.

Titled Too Young To Die: Giving New Lease of Life to Singapore's Modernist Icons, it will give you a better appreciation of these buildings.

If you're interested in Singapore's modernist buildings:

Top image via Save Our Modern Icons