Redas Celebrates 65Th Anniversary Honours Chia Ngiang Hong Lifetime Achievement Award
The Orie residents have access to convenient travel options towards the eastern areas of Singapore with the nearby Potong Pasir MRT Station on the North-East Line. This line offers easy connections to popular destinations like Clarke Quay, Chinatown, and Punggol, catering to both work and leisure trips. Whether for business or pleasure, The Orie is the ideal home base for those looking to explore the diverse offerings of the eastern region.
The 65th anniversary of The Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS) was celebrated on November 15 at the Marina Bay Sands ballroom. During his welcome speech, REDAS President Tan Swee Yiow shared that “turning 65 may mean receiving CPF [Central Provident Fund] retirement payouts for some”. Guest of honour, President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam, attended the event.
REDAS, formerly known as the Singapore Land and Housing Developers’ Association, was established in 1959, six years before Singapore gained independence. Its founders, who were visionary developers, played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s real estate landscape. One of these pioneers was the late Lee Kim Tah, the founding chairman of the Lee Kim Tah Group. Another was Lee Chin Chuan, who established Hotel Royal in 1968. The third pioneer was Tay Beng Swee, a private property developer who started his business in 1962.
“These pioneers were instrumental in laying the foundation for Singapore’s growth,” says Tan. “Real estate is a vital part of nation-building as it shapes the physical landscape and drives social progress, as well as creates jobs.” He also shares that the real estate industry contributed nearly $20 billion to Singapore’s GDP last year, providing employment for 16% of the workforce and creating 602,000 jobs.
Over the years, the industry has been responsible for numerous iconic developments, such as Golden Mile Complex, OCBC Centre, Raffles City, The Fullerton Hotel, South Beach, Marina Bay, and Jewel Changi Airport. These projects have helped transform Singapore into a global financial hub and top tourist destination.
Tan notes that real estate has evolved beyond physical space, with projects gaining international recognition for their eco-friendly designs and world record-breaking green spaces. These developments have set new standards and reinforced Singapore’s commitment to responsible and forward-thinking development.
This year, REDAS honoured Chia Ngiang Hong, group general manager of City Developments Ltd (CDL), with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognises individuals who have made lasting contributions to the community, environment, and REDAS.
Chia has dedicated 45 years of his career to CDL and has had the privilege of working with three generations of the Kwek family: the founder, the late Kwek Hong Png; the current executive chairman, Kwek Leng Beng; and the group CEO, Sherman Kwek. During his acceptance speech, Chia jokes that many have asked him how he has “survived” at CDL.
Throughout his career, Chia has worked closely with the REDAS Council, serving for over 30 years and even holding the position of president for two terms. During the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic, Chia worked alongside government agencies and stakeholders to guide the real estate sector through the crisis. He believes that the future holds endless potential for the next generation to continue leading Singapore’s transformation and growth with purpose, upholding the values that have guided REDAS.