The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will engage a conservation specialist to advise on how best to minimise the impact of upcoming tunnel works on the historic 1924 Ellison building.
The authorities had said in August that one of the building’s nine units would be torn down to make way for the upcoming North-South Corridor, a 21.5km expressway.
They said then that the building’s demolished corner – comprising house numbers 235, 237 and 239 – would be rebuilt once the tunnel is completed in 2026.
This was despite the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) conservation gazette of the building at the junction of Selegie and Rochor Canal roads.
It was constructed by Romanian Jew Isaac Ellison and is known for its cupolas and the Star of David on its facade.
The news led heritage lovers to express concern and appeal to the authorities to reconsider.
Yesterday, both LTA and URA told The Straits Times that implementation plans will be finalised only after the completion of the conservation specialist’s report and discussions with heritage groups.
Some observers said this appears to be a turnaround, after both agencies had earlier said it was not possible to completely avoid the building “in order to realise an important national infrastructure” as a section of it lies along the corridor’s alignment.
But LTA said yesterday the intention to hire a conservation expert had always been part of the plan.
Both LTA and URA said they had met heritage experts twice this month and had engaged the heritage groups to hear their views on possible measures to protect Ellison Building during the construction process.
ST understands these sessions were attended by representatives from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) Singapore, the Singapore Heritage Society, the Singapore Institute of Architects and a heritage blogger.
The experts said they suggested several other possibilities at the first session.
These included: propping the structure up and strengthening the foundation while the corridor is built; providing underpinning support for the building while works are being done; and gutting out the first floor, while propping up, reinforcing and retaining the second floor.
NMP Kok Heng Leun, who was at the first meeting, urged the authorities to consult earlier before decisions are made.
He said: “The conversation should start earlier…”Conservation is never an argument against development and conservationists cannot be seen as hindering development.”
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