The phase two of the Saigon Centre complex in the downtown quarter at 65 Le Loi Street, when fully completed in 2015, will provide 50,000 square meters across seven levels of retail and dining spaces, 40,000 square meters of Grade A office space and over 200 units of luxury serviced apartments.

Speaking at the ceremony, Choo Chiau Beng, CEO of Keppel Corporation and chairman of Keppel Land, said that since the completion of phase one in 1996, Saigon Centre had established itself as a business address for diplomatic corps, multi-national companies, as well as banking and financial institutions.

“As we embark on the development of the second phase, no effort will be spared to ensure that Saigon Centre, when fully completed in 2015, will continue to be a landmark in HCMC,” he said.

“We intend to bring together some of the finest names in the industry to lend their signature quality to our Centre development,” he said, adding that “New York-based NBBJ, a leading global architecture and design firm, has been appointed as lead designer for the second phase of development.” 

He noted Saigon Centre will be a showcase of architectural excellence that will raise the benchmark for integrated mixed-use development in HCMC, and even Vietnam as a whole.

At the ceremony, HCMC chairman Le Hoang Quan appraised Keppel Land’s attempts for development despite the current slowdown in the world economy as well as the property market in Vietnam. 

In HCMC, apart from Saigon Centre, Keppel Land is developing Riviera Point, a 2,400-unit waterfront lifestyle development with residential and retail facilities in District 7. Other property projects under the group include The Estella, a prime 1,393-unit condominium development, in District 2, and Riviera Cove, a 96 resort-style villa development along the Rach Chiec River.

To improve safety at the workplace, Keppel Land, with the support of its Vietnamese partners, is opening a Safety Awareness Centre to provide training to raise the safety standards among its workforce. 

“Through the Safety Awareness Centre, we hope to instill a culture of safety among our workers and raise the safety standards in all our projects,” Choo said.

Keppel Land has a strong portfolio of properties in Hanoi, HCMC, Dong Nai and Vung Tau including Grade A offices, residential properties, integrated townships and serviced apartments.

Up to now, Keppel Land has 17 projects in Vietnam, with a total investment capital of almost US$2 billion.