“Sky Houses: Flying Green.” That was the winning entry. Now look up at The Pinnacle@Duxton. I will tell you its story. The Pinnacle@Duxton is not just housing. It is a statement. It stands tall at 1A Cantonment Road. This is Singapore’s first 50-storey public housing project. It is also the first globally with two sky bridges linking seven towers. These sky bridges create sky parks. They offer panoramic city views.
The Pinnacle@Duxton resulted from an international competition. It redefined public housing with unique design features. The Pinnacle@Duxton sits on Duxton Plain. This 2.5-hectare site once held older flats. These were the first Housing and Development Board rental flats. The government commissioned them in 1963.
In 2001, the Urban Redevelopment Authority held a competition. It sought innovative designs for high-density public housing. The design had to optimise land use. It also needed to meet residents’ changing lifestyles. Cost-effectiveness was key.
Over 200 entries came from 32 countries. ARC Studio Architecture + Urbanism won. They collaborated with RSP Architects Planners and Engineers. Their design, “Sky Houses: Flying Green”, impressed the judges. It incorporated the landscape effectively.
The Pinnacle@Duxton’s design draws from “flow and eddies.” Also “strips and loops.” These weave through the estate. They link towers and the ground. This creates interactive spaces. It also provides green areas. The design fully uses the oddly shaped land. It allows flexible flat orientation. Raising the ground level creates parking. This maximises the tight space.
The Pinnacle@Duxton targets young couples. Its 1,848 units resemble condominiums. Sky gardens link the seven towers. They are on the 26th and 50th floors. Residents have exclusive access. There are fitness stations and benches in green spaces. A food court and childcare centre add convenience. A basketball court and jogging track are also available. An outdoor gallery shows the site’s history. It traces the original buildings’ outlines.
Units allow flexible living spaces. Residents can adjust the interior. They use lightweight wall placements. They can also choose exterior facade treatments. These include planter boxes and balconies.
Flats were sold under the Build-to-Order scheme. The tagline was “The Peak of City Living.” Smaller flats cost from S$289,200. Bigger ones reached S$439,400. Public response was strong. The HDB released all units. Balloting prioritised first-timers and married couples.
Completed in 2009, The Pinnacle@Duxton redefined public housing. It proved public housing could be high-quality. It could rival private developments. In 2010, it won Asia and Australasia’s “Best Tall Building.” It also won “World’s Best Housing Development.” The Pinnacle@Duxton clinched Singapore’s President’s Design Award.
But what is it like to live at The Pinnacle@Duxton? It offers premium living in the CBD. Connectivity is strong. There are many amenities. Sky garden facilities are exclusive. A park is integrated. The Pinnacle@Duxton is close to MRT lines.
The Pinnacle@Duxton has drawn praise and criticism. Some say it is wasteful spending. Others see groundbreaking design. Today, it is known for “winning the BTO lottery.” Four and five-room flats average near a million dollars.
You will notice its height. Before this, no HDB reached 50 storeys. The Pinnacle@Duxton opened the design to worldwide agencies. The steel base gives a premium feel. Ramps make it wheelchair friendly.
The Heritage Garden informs about the development. The basketball court is well-used. Sheltered seating areas offer rest. The “Environment Deck” focuses on greenery. This fits the urban Tanjong Pagar. A community garden also exists. There are multiple preschools. Playgrounds add colour.
The Skybridge on level 50 is a key attraction. Non-residents pay a fee for access. The Skybridge is the longest in the world. It spans 500m. The 26th-floor Sky Garden has a running track. There is also an outdoor exercise area.
The Pinnacle@Duxton stands as an icon. It represents Singapore’s approach to public housing. It blends community, design, and city living. It is more than just a place to live. The Pinnacle@Duxton shows what public housing can achieve.