One-North, Singapore

One-North, Singapore
Name	One-North
Settlement type	Research and business park
Location	Queenstown, Central Region, Singapore
Established	1991 (urban redevelopment)
Developer	JTC Corporation, National Research Foundation (Singapore)
Area	198 hectares

One-North, Singapore

One-North is a purpose-built business park and innovation district in Queenstown, Singapore that clusters research, technology, and media activities. It fosters collaboration among tenants such as A*STAR, National University of Singapore, and multinational corporations like Google, Facebook, and IBM, while linking to nearby institutions including Dover MRT station, Buona Vista MRT station, and Haw Par Villa. The precinct integrates research, residential, cultural and retail components to support startups, incubators, and established firms.

History

The site’s transformation traces to redevelopment initiatives by Jurong Town Corporation (now JTC Corporation) and national innovation strategy led by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (Singapore), influenced by reports from the Economic Development Board (Singapore) and the National Research Foundation (Singapore). Planning began during the 1990s as part of Singapore’s shift from manufacturing to knowledge-intensive industries, parallel to initiatives such as the Biopolis project and Fusionopolis. Milestones include the launch of the one-north masterplan and phased construction aligned with Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council directives. The precinct’s opening and tenant arrivals mirrored regional development trends alongside the expansion of Dover Road and the conversion of former military land near Henderson Road.

Planning and Development

The masterplan was shaped by collaborations among JTC Corporation, urban designers, and agencies like the Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore) and Singapore Land Authority. Strategic zoning created clusters to attract entities such as A*STAR, Biopolis, and private firms including Microsoft and Philips. Development phases incorporated mixed-use frameworks seen in global innovation districts like Silicon Valley, Cambridge Science Park, and Kendall Square. Public-private partnerships involved investors such as CapitaLand and developers experienced with projects like Fusionopolis II and Mapletree Business City. Policies aligned with national talent programs from Singapore Management University and workforce schemes from the Workforce Singapore agency.

Districts and Masterplan

The precinct is divided into nodes including Biopolis, Fusionopolis, Mediapolis, and residential/retail components like The Star Vista and one-north Residences. Each node hosts sector-specific tenants: biomedical firms in Biopolis, media companies in Mediapolis, and technology R&D centers in Fusionopolis. Integrated public spaces and parks draw inspiration from international examples such as High Line (New York City) and Klyde Warren Park, while local landscape design references projects like Gardens by the Bay and Botanic Gardens, Singapore. Mixed-use elements were planned to link to educational hubs including National University of Singapore and training centers affiliated with Temasek Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Economy and Key Industries

The precinct concentrates sectors such as biomedical sciences with anchor tenants like A*STAR research institutes, multinational pharmaceutical companies similar to Pfizer and Roche in presence, and technology firms including Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Intel. Media and creative industries are represented by companies akin to Medialink and studios influenced by Singapore Media Academy initiatives. Startups and incubators include accelerators modeled on Y Combinator and venture networks inspired by SEED Ventures and Temasek Holdings investment vehicles. Economic outputs tie to national strategies articulated by the Economic Development Board (Singapore) and international partnerships with agencies like Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

Architecture and Landmarks

Key buildings and landmarks include Biopolis complex, Fusionopolis complex, Mediapolis complex, and retail-culture nodes such as The Star Vista and Aurum Theatre-style venues. Architectural firms involved reflect practices seen in projects by designers linked to Foster + Partners, SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), and regional studios who worked on Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands. Public art installations and plazas draw comparisons to spaces like Suntec City and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, while adaptive reuse of historical elements nods to heritage conservation efforts championed by National Heritage Board (Singapore).

Transportation and Accessibility

Accessibility integrates transit nodes such as Buona Vista MRT station, Haw Par Villa MRT station, and one-north MRT station on the Circle MRT line and East West MRT line interchanges, with shuttle and bus services coordinated by SMRT Corporation and Tower Transit Singapore. Road links connect to Ayer Rajah Expressway and arterial roads servicing developments like Mapletree Business City and Science Park; cycling and pedestrian connectivity reflect initiatives promoted by the Land Transport Authority (Singapore)]. Commuter access strategies mirror transit-oriented development approaches used in cities such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul.

Community, Education and Research Institutions

Institutions within and adjacent to the precinct include A*STAR research institutes, satellite facilities of the National University of Singapore, graduate programs from Nanyang Technological University partners, and training collaborations with Temasek Polytechnic and Singapore Institute of Technology. Incubation and entrepreneurship support organizations include accelerators modeled after Block71 concepts, co-working operators influenced by WeWork and Plug and Play Tech Center, and venture networks linked to SGInnovate and Enterprise Singapore. Cultural and community venues host events tied to festivals like Singapore Arts Festival and conferences similar to BIO International Convention and Tech Innovation Summit.

Category:Places in Singapore