Another response to the letter on the hotel in today's Straits Times. Is it wrong to have a mindset that everything should have its place - which is a recipe for harmonious living? Is raising an issue of local concern in the public, in an objective way, not the sign of matured behaviour? To put it on record, the residents' concerns are not focussed on the monetary value of their neigbourhood, but about the way it should or should not evolve.
Read the comments on ST Forum online. Sigh.
Get with it, Tiong Bahru residents - it's a hotel, not a brothel
SADLY, Singapore still has a long way to go before it matures as a society, even if it has done well economically.
Hotel 81 - which is a hotel, not a brothel, by the way - in Tiong Bahru bears this out. Like the issue of housing dormitories for foreign workers in Serangoon Gardens, some residents are saying 'somewhere else, but not here'.
Presumably, it is okay in Geylang. It is also okay in Chinatown, and many other locations not considered inordinately prone to 'vice' (for the complainants have not, as far as I know, protested against the very existence of Hotel 81).
'But hey. I came to live in this pleasant neighbourhood. Put it somewhere else.'
Unfortunately, there is no social or government contract when you buy a property or choose to live in a particular location, for you to 'expect' things to be exactly how you want them.
Like the recent online letter by Mrs Bendjenni Udiana Jamalludin about how some men dressed well but lacked social graces ('They were well-dressed but behaved like louts', last Saturday), Singapore can develop economically but fall well behind in social development. Perhaps more can be done in school to ensure the next generation 'grows up'.
Kevin Kwek
Showing posts with label Hotel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hotel. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Is the Hotel 81 issue about changing mindsets?
One response to the residents' letter on the concerns over Hotel 81 in Eng Hoon Street. In today's Straits Times.
Hotel 81 in Tiong Bahru is a test about changing mindsets
ANOTHER furore seems to be brewing over a location for a budget hotel in Singapore. If this had been a major hotel development, I wonder if it would have invited such a reaction. If one goes to Tiong Bahru, one will notice many prominent hotels within a 2km radius. So why do we pick on a budget hotel to drive home a point of protest?
Hotel 81 is a local set-up, and its business caters to Singaporeans as much as to foreigners. It provides many employment opportunities for Singaporeans, especially during this economic downturn. Hence, to deprive it of a decent place to do business is to prevent a prospective employer from expanding its business.
From hospices to funeral parlours to pubs, Singaporeans are fast coming across as possessing a 'my-turf-is-my-turf' mentality. This siege mindset is harmful to the economy and will deter potential investors from doing business in Singapore. After all, if businesses are not located within the city, where else do we locate them?
Singapore is an island nation and space is a major constraint. We cannot build another island as we did for Jurong Island.
Given this constraint, we have no alternative but to change our mindset - be more open with the space we must share with others. The sooner we do this, the better we will be prepared for the future.
Because, in time to come, as the population expands and public buildings compete for more space, we can count our blessings if we find a hotel in our neighbourhood rather than something else.
Douglas Chua
Hotel 81 in Tiong Bahru is a test about changing mindsets
ANOTHER furore seems to be brewing over a location for a budget hotel in Singapore. If this had been a major hotel development, I wonder if it would have invited such a reaction. If one goes to Tiong Bahru, one will notice many prominent hotels within a 2km radius. So why do we pick on a budget hotel to drive home a point of protest?
Hotel 81 is a local set-up, and its business caters to Singaporeans as much as to foreigners. It provides many employment opportunities for Singaporeans, especially during this economic downturn. Hence, to deprive it of a decent place to do business is to prevent a prospective employer from expanding its business.
From hospices to funeral parlours to pubs, Singaporeans are fast coming across as possessing a 'my-turf-is-my-turf' mentality. This siege mindset is harmful to the economy and will deter potential investors from doing business in Singapore. After all, if businesses are not located within the city, where else do we locate them?
Singapore is an island nation and space is a major constraint. We cannot build another island as we did for Jurong Island.
Given this constraint, we have no alternative but to change our mindset - be more open with the space we must share with others. The sooner we do this, the better we will be prepared for the future.
Because, in time to come, as the population expands and public buildings compete for more space, we can count our blessings if we find a hotel in our neighbourhood rather than something else.
Douglas Chua
The official reply
Hi! Sorry for the delay, here is the reposting of the official reply from the authorities.
June 24, 2009
Hotel 81 in Tiong Bahru hasn't got a licence yet
WE REFER to the letter, 'Don't tarnish image' (June 13). We thank the residents of Tiong Bahru for their feedback.
On the feedback that the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has allowed Hotel81 to operate in close proximity to the Tiong Bahru residential area, we would like to clarify that no licence has been issued for the hotel to start operations in Tiong Bahru. Before they begin operations, hotel developments must be licensed by the Hotels Licensing Board (HLB), and applications to the board are required to comply with the requirements of the relevant government agencies.
A licence will be issued only if the application meets all requirements stipulated in the Hotels Act. However, HLB can also revoke the licence if there is any deviation from the hotel licensing conditions, such as evidence of vice activity in the hotel.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) had granted approval for a hotel use at 1-9 Eng Hoon Street, as it is located in a mixed-use area where there are existing hotel developments in the vicinity.
With regard to the heritage value of Tiong Bahru, URA is mindful of maintaining the unique charm of the area. In fact, this was the reason why URA decided to conserve the flats at Tiong Bahru. Regarding the concern on illegal operations of workers' dormitories, URA has already served Enforcement Notices on the persons responsible for converting the residential premises in Tiong Bahru to unauthorised workers' dormitories. If the unauthorised use does not cease by the stipulated date, court actions will be taken against the persons responsible for the infringements.
STB and URA believe that the residents' concerns can be addressed through collaboration with law enforcement agencies, and other government bodies to ensure that the Tiong Bahru area retains its distinct charms.
Muhamad Rostam Umar
Director (Communications)
Singapore Tourism Board
Peter Tan
Director (Development Control, Central)
Urban Redevelopment Authority
June 24, 2009
Hotel 81 in Tiong Bahru hasn't got a licence yet
WE REFER to the letter, 'Don't tarnish image' (June 13). We thank the residents of Tiong Bahru for their feedback.
On the feedback that the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has allowed Hotel81 to operate in close proximity to the Tiong Bahru residential area, we would like to clarify that no licence has been issued for the hotel to start operations in Tiong Bahru. Before they begin operations, hotel developments must be licensed by the Hotels Licensing Board (HLB), and applications to the board are required to comply with the requirements of the relevant government agencies.
A licence will be issued only if the application meets all requirements stipulated in the Hotels Act. However, HLB can also revoke the licence if there is any deviation from the hotel licensing conditions, such as evidence of vice activity in the hotel.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) had granted approval for a hotel use at 1-9 Eng Hoon Street, as it is located in a mixed-use area where there are existing hotel developments in the vicinity.
With regard to the heritage value of Tiong Bahru, URA is mindful of maintaining the unique charm of the area. In fact, this was the reason why URA decided to conserve the flats at Tiong Bahru. Regarding the concern on illegal operations of workers' dormitories, URA has already served Enforcement Notices on the persons responsible for converting the residential premises in Tiong Bahru to unauthorised workers' dormitories. If the unauthorised use does not cease by the stipulated date, court actions will be taken against the persons responsible for the infringements.
STB and URA believe that the residents' concerns can be addressed through collaboration with law enforcement agencies, and other government bodies to ensure that the Tiong Bahru area retains its distinct charms.
Muhamad Rostam Umar
Director (Communications)
Singapore Tourism Board
Peter Tan
Director (Development Control, Central)
Urban Redevelopment Authority
Monday, June 8, 2009
Yet another hotel in Tiong Bahru - ironically, on the street of Virtuous Clouds (Eng Hoon)
Uh Oh! I think that many of us are concerned BEYOND the issue of depressed property values. It is that this place may end up being devalued in all aspects - most importantly, as an area for residents who appreciate the community life that this estate has, which is family friendly.
We lost the authentic heritage attraction of old singing birds to one hotel,
and end up with new 'birds' being brought in by another hotel (no pictures needed, we can all imagine) on the street of Virtuous Clouds....
The Straits Times
June 8, 2009
By Jessica Cheam
Tiong Bahru residents worry that Hotel 81's presence might give area a sleazy image
AN ALMOST completed, nondescript building in one corner of Singapore's bustling Tiong Bahru estate is raising eyebrows within the community.
Several residents are concerned about the latest addition to their estate - a new hotel built by budget accommodation chain Hotel 81.
The prospect of an hourly-rate budget hotel in their estate has got them worried that the development might give a sleazy image to the neighbourhood, and depress the values of their properties.
When contacted, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which approves the use of buildings as hotels, confirmed it had 'granted approval for a hotel development at 1-9 Eng Hoon Street' on Sept 12 last year.'
The proposed hotel development on the subject site is acceptable from the planning point of view as it is located in a mixed-use area where there are existing hotel developments in the vicinity,' it said.
Although a sign proclaims the name of the hotel to be 'Hotel 81 Osaka', it is unclear if the hotel will be an hourly-rate one or one that charges only a full-day rate.
Hotel 81 declined to comment when contacted.
The budget hotel chain has aggressively expanded in the past few years to a network of 30 hotels islandwide.
Most are located in the red light district of Geylang and other areas such as Joo Chiat and Balestier.
The chain has one hotel in a residential area - Hotel 81 Kovan.
Residents said they are hoping the hotel will at least be one that offers a full-day rate.
'Short-term stays lead to other social problems,' said resident Eugene Yip, 38, an advertising executive.
Another resident who declined to be named pointed out that there are already a growing number of female hostesses from China living in Tiong Bahru, due to the estate's proximity to bars - such as the Tiananmen karaoke lounge - in the Havelock Road area.
'At the moment, they live here and solicit their business elsewhere.We don't want them to start touting for business here too.We don't want it to go the way of Joo Chiat,' he said, referring to the district in the east which in the past saw an influx of bars, massage parlours and prostitutes together with hourly-rate budget hotels.
Recently, The Straits Times also reported the rise of illegal dorm use in the estate, where landlords have been cashing in on the demand for cheap housing by converting conserved pre-war flats into dormitory-style housing for foreign workers, leading to concerns over noise, littering and overcrowding.
The laidback, historic charm of Tiong Bahru has in recent years attracted a growing number of young professionals and expatriates.
It is gradually being gentrified.
'Many owners have invested heavily into rejuvenating their flats, and want to keep the estate clean,' said Knight Frank realtor Alvin Yeo.
So while mid-tier hotels, such as Link Hotel Singapore, have sprung up, residents want to know how chains like Hotel 81 get approval to set up hourly-rate hotels in residential areas.
The Singapore Tourism Board's hospitality arm, which gives the approval for the type of hotel licence, refused to comment when contacted.
The estate, which was designed in the 1930s in the Art Deco style, was gazetted in 2003, where 20 blocks of pre-World War II flats as well as 36 units of shophouses have been conserved to keep the charm and identity of the estate.
It has even been suggested, among Singaporeans, as a nominee for Singapore's first Unesco World Heritage Site.
We lost the authentic heritage attraction of old singing birds to one hotel,
and end up with new 'birds' being brought in by another hotel (no pictures needed, we can all imagine) on the street of Virtuous Clouds....
The Straits Times
June 8, 2009
By Jessica Cheam
Tiong Bahru residents worry that Hotel 81's presence might give area a sleazy image
AN ALMOST completed, nondescript building in one corner of Singapore's bustling Tiong Bahru estate is raising eyebrows within the community.
Several residents are concerned about the latest addition to their estate - a new hotel built by budget accommodation chain Hotel 81.
The prospect of an hourly-rate budget hotel in their estate has got them worried that the development might give a sleazy image to the neighbourhood, and depress the values of their properties.
When contacted, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), which approves the use of buildings as hotels, confirmed it had 'granted approval for a hotel development at 1-9 Eng Hoon Street' on Sept 12 last year.'
The proposed hotel development on the subject site is acceptable from the planning point of view as it is located in a mixed-use area where there are existing hotel developments in the vicinity,' it said.
Although a sign proclaims the name of the hotel to be 'Hotel 81 Osaka', it is unclear if the hotel will be an hourly-rate one or one that charges only a full-day rate.
Hotel 81 declined to comment when contacted.
The budget hotel chain has aggressively expanded in the past few years to a network of 30 hotels islandwide.
Most are located in the red light district of Geylang and other areas such as Joo Chiat and Balestier.
The chain has one hotel in a residential area - Hotel 81 Kovan.
Residents said they are hoping the hotel will at least be one that offers a full-day rate.
'Short-term stays lead to other social problems,' said resident Eugene Yip, 38, an advertising executive.
Another resident who declined to be named pointed out that there are already a growing number of female hostesses from China living in Tiong Bahru, due to the estate's proximity to bars - such as the Tiananmen karaoke lounge - in the Havelock Road area.
'At the moment, they live here and solicit their business elsewhere.We don't want them to start touting for business here too.We don't want it to go the way of Joo Chiat,' he said, referring to the district in the east which in the past saw an influx of bars, massage parlours and prostitutes together with hourly-rate budget hotels.
Recently, The Straits Times also reported the rise of illegal dorm use in the estate, where landlords have been cashing in on the demand for cheap housing by converting conserved pre-war flats into dormitory-style housing for foreign workers, leading to concerns over noise, littering and overcrowding.
The laidback, historic charm of Tiong Bahru has in recent years attracted a growing number of young professionals and expatriates.
It is gradually being gentrified.
'Many owners have invested heavily into rejuvenating their flats, and want to keep the estate clean,' said Knight Frank realtor Alvin Yeo.
So while mid-tier hotels, such as Link Hotel Singapore, have sprung up, residents want to know how chains like Hotel 81 get approval to set up hourly-rate hotels in residential areas.
The Singapore Tourism Board's hospitality arm, which gives the approval for the type of hotel licence, refused to comment when contacted.
The estate, which was designed in the 1930s in the Art Deco style, was gazetted in 2003, where 20 blocks of pre-World War II flats as well as 36 units of shophouses have been conserved to keep the charm and identity of the estate.
It has even been suggested, among Singaporeans, as a nominee for Singapore's first Unesco World Heritage Site.
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