This was
the Tanjong Puteri customs complex that oversaw freight and
goods that were being imported and exported between the causeway
linking Singapore and Malaysia.
The building was a well known landmark that appeared more
aircraft carrier like, with its oval porthole like windows,
flat roof deck and control tower . Whoever the architect was,
I salute them.
In 2014, the building finally saw its number
up with the land earmarked for a major new development by
developers all the way from China.
The days that led up to my photos being taken was the same
time as demolition crews were on site preparing the building
for its destruction. The interior was a semi deconstructed
mess of materials and debris. The greatest discovery for
me was the 3 storey high internal spiral staircase inside
the main tower section. I’m not great with heights,
so it was an interesting climb up to the top.
The final destruction
of the building was assigned to a traditional crane and
wrecking ball. The heavy impacts of ball into concrete made
the ground rumble under foot. It was kind of sad seeing
a familiar building disappear like this.
A couple of years on, I still think of the old customs building
as a brute of a structure, but seeing the behemoth that’s
currently being built in its place, puts things into real
perspective. How times have changed.
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