Great World City

Great World City is a landmark mixed-use development in Singapore's River Valley district, comprising a shopping mall, two office towers, and a serviced apartment tower. Originally built in the late 1990s, the office component had grown dated — its marble and granite finishes, heavy cornices, and dim double-height lobby no longer reflected the sophistication expected of a premium commercial address.
SOG design was commissioned by Allgreen Properties Limited to revitalise the office towers' facades and the central indoor-outdoor lobby that connects them. The brief called for a transformation that would feel timeless rather than trendy, and that would honour the building's original character while bringing it firmly into the present.
The design response replaced ageing wall elements with limestone and introduced sleek metal inlays, achieving a quiet luxury aesthetic through restraint rather than addition. The existing canopy was reimagined with slimmer edges and a raised profile, allowing natural daylight to flood the lobby and creating a far more inviting entrance sequence. A cove lighting system with glare control addressed the previously dim ceiling, while new public seating areas transformed the lobby into a genuinely welcoming civic space.
Biophilic design was central to the concept. Strategically positioned planting and carefully managed natural light bring the greenery and river views of the surrounding Kim Seng Promenade directly into the workspace experience, fostering a sense of wellbeing that is rare in high-traffic office environments.
The result is a cohesive plaza experience that connects the office, retail, and public realms of Great World City — a 30,733 sqm transformation that demonstrates the power of considered, detail-driven design to breathe new life into an established building.