VietNamNet Bridge – Saigon Trading Group (Satra) has chosen U.S. firm Gensler and Associates International Ltd. to design its new Saigon Tax Trade Center project at the corner of Nguyen Hue and Le Loi boulevards, the group’s project director said.

Doan Hoai Minh told the Daily that the company has been selected thanks to its outstanding technological and financial advantages over other candidates.

“As the new building is an important structure in HCMC, it is a must for Satra to find a well-established designer able to ensure urban and architectural planning and high efficiency of the building when it is put into service,” Minh said.

The HCMC government has assigned Satra to develop a multi-functional 40-floor building providing trading, office and hotel services at the premises of the old Saigon Tax Trade Center. The outline of the new building will be drawn in harmony with the city’s architecture and space zoning plan for 930 hectares in the downtown area.

Minh said the design of the project will be made in two phases. The U.S. firm will complete the design of the new building by the end of next month in the first phase for Satra to submit it to competent agencies for consideration and comments in the second phase.

The completion of the second design phase will depend on comments and adjustments proposed by the agencies, Minh said. After the design is passed, tenders will be invited to select construction and equipment supply contractors.

The total investment cost of the project remains unknown, as Minh said this is only calculated when the final design as well as materials and equipment are approved. However, he said the project is expected to get off the ground next year and will be complete in 2019.

Minh said the current Saigon Tax Trade Center is an old structure and has become a landmark in the city. Therefore, certain historical architectural details will be considered and kept as part of the new building.

As for the vendors who used to sell products at the center, Minh said priorities would be given to them if they want to return to the new building and their business operations are consistent with Satra’s criteria.

Satra has closed the Saigon Tax Trade Center since the beginning of this month to facilitate construction of Metro Line No. 1 connecting downtown HCMC and Suoi Tien Theme Park in District 9 and a pedestrian square on Nguyen Hue Boulevard.

Finland proposes Tax Center preservation

* The Consulate General of Finland in HCMC has written to the city government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism suggesting preserving part of the Saigon Tax Trade Center.

The shopping center will be dismantled soon to make room for a new 40-storey modern commercial tower.

The consulate suggested that the main lobby, the mosaic tiled floor and the main stair of the center should be maintained to integrate into the new building.

The developer should also consider removing some parts of the main stairway and lobby and installing them back at a new facility later.

In its letter, the Finnish consulate said it is also entrusted by the French Consulate General and the consul delegation in HCMC, and promised to arrange manpower and budget for the second solution.

The Saigon Tax Trade Center was built for the first time in 1924 and had been repaired many times. However, the main lobby, mosaic tiled floor and the main stair have been maintained since 1924, the letter said.

Earlier, Minh of Satra told the Daily that architectural parts of historical value would be partly preserved. However, what parts to be preserved have yet to be determined as they are still designing the project.

SGT/VNN