One-north was initially conceived as a business park and a high technology research and development hub, but today it is regarded more as a community. Designed to combine work, play and living in one place, it is not a commercial real estate project alone; its guiding principles also encompass environmental and social concerns.
In the early 1990s, JTC Corporation envisioned a development to house R&D and high-tech activities in the biomedical sciences, infocomm technology (ICT) and media industries. Though the project was first conceptualised in the 1991 Concept Plan, it was not until 2001 that the government officially launched it as one-north.
The name is a reference to Singapore’s geographical location of being one degree north of the equator, as well as the city-state’s aims to promote a knowledge-based economy. With this goal in mind, JTC’s 200-hectare business park was created with a focus on the environment and resiliency, as well as social and recreational amenities that encourage collaboration.
A work-live-play-learn zone, it houses public agencies and private companies that foster collaborative networks to foster innovation. It is a major hub for digital startups, venture capitalists and incubators, as well as a host of other tech-related industries.
It was this vision of a knowledge-based economy that drew P&G to set up its Biopolis research facility at one-north. The company, which is one of the world’s top five consumer goods corporations, was mainly drawn to the location because of the presence of numerous research institutes, including A*STAR, and the proximity to several universities and Institutes of Higher Learning.
As a result, one-north is a vibrant business park that has become a popular choice for companies looking to hire and attract talent, both locally and overseas. Some of the biggest names in the industry–including A*STAR, Grab and Lucasfilm–have their headquarters here.
Heritage is also an important part of the one-north story, with heritage buildings dotted throughout the estate. This includes the 10 black-and-white colonial bungalows that were built for the British military and their families. Some are now being refurbished and re-adapted for use as live-work lofts in Rochester Park, while others are being restored and repurposed to cater to the lifestyle needs of one-north residents.
The area is also home to some semblance of a heritage town centre, with Rochester Park being renovated into a dining and lifestyle retail hub. Old black-and-white colonial bungalows in the area were rescued from being demolished and restored to their former glory, while a large number of the original buildings are leased out to food and lifestyle retailers.
A walkable, vibrant and eco-friendly neighborhood, one-north is a place where the city meets nature. And its parks, green spaces and recreational facilities are a treat for both the eyes and the mind.
Moovit makes it easy to find the best bus, train or ferry to Opposite One-North Station. Download the app to see timetables, fares and schedules for all your transport options.
In addition to buses and trains, you can also take a taxi or carpool from Opposite One-North Station with ease. Moovit’s advanced search allows you to easily compare prices and find the best fare for your trip. the hill one north condo