This is a photograph showing the OCBC Centre under construction, with other commercial buildings in the vicinity. At the building site are a pair of tower cranes, one at each of the two concrete pillars being built to support the transfer girders for each of the three 14-storey segments. The 52-storey building, designed by I.M. Pei, is a tower of three window segments supported by two solid pillars. It was the tallest building in Singapore and Southeast Asia when completed in 1976. A unique building of historical and architectural significance, it helped to define Singapore’s financial district and skyline. In the foreground are bumboats (also known as twakows or tongkangs) and goods lighters in the Singapore River. People are also seen walking on the Elgin Bridge. Physical dimensions of original: 11 x 13 cm. Title devised by Library staff. Date of creation estimated.

Credit Line

From the Kouo Shang-Wei Collection 郭尚慰珍藏. All rights reserved, Family of Kouo Shang-Wei and National Library Board Singapore 2007

Subjects

• Bank buildings--Singapore--Design and construction--Photographs
• Singapore River (Singapore)--Photographs
• Boats and boating--Singapore--Photographs