It is surprising that the National Library is constructed at a cost
of $200 MILLION, considering that the structural design of the
building is mainly steel works built around a concrete core that
carry the main services to every floor of the building, and glass
wrapped around it.
It is NOT surprising that most parts of the building are "OFF
LIMIT" and require a pass to enter, despite the publicly declared
statement that the building is open to everyone with an interest to
research.
Sometime back, I have posted that there are sections in the OLD
National Library building (at the upper most floor) that are stored
very sensitive materials that require one's background to be vetted
before being allowed entry.
It will NOT be surprising if those empty floor spaces will
subsequently be rented out to other commercial activities that
synergise with the work of the National Library - after all, which
Government building has not done the same, so as to recover the
cost of the building that at the same time help to lower the cost
and sustain the activities of the Main Tenant ?
Nearly half of the HDB Hub at Toa Payoh is leased out to commercial
activities, and NTUC spanking new building at the beginning of
Shenton Way is similarly leased out.
The Government, besides being the biggest housing developer, also
intend to be the biggest Commercial Building owner; and beside
building and owning spanking new local commercial buildings, the
Government has also been buying up Mega-Dollar commercial sites in
Seol, London, New York, Sydney, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing -
either independently or in joint ventures.
Properties are the best assets to hedge against inflation.
