CBRE is moving its client-facing operations to new premises at Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC), where it will operate its new central business district (CBD) office from Friday (May 16).

The 21,000 sq ft space, taking up the entire level 16 of MBFC Tower 1 – is about 75 per cent bigger than its current CBD office in Six Battery Road, which CBRE is exiting after 24 years.

CBRE houses most of its brokerage business and other client-facing functions at its CBD office. The brokerage business includes leasing, capital markets and sales activities for office, industrial and retail space. Also housed in the CBD office is CBRE Investment Management, a fund-management firm focusing on private equity, infrastructure, hedge fund and real-estate asset classes.

The property consulting group’s Singapore head office remains at Paya Lebar Quarter 3, in approximately 30,000 sq ft of space taking up the whole of level six. This houses the Global Workspace Solutions business (including facilities management) and part of the advisory business comprising some regional and Singapore functions such as property management, valuation and the sustainability business.

Moray Armstrong, managing director for Singapore advisory at CBRE, said the new and larger CBD office will be able to house a wider range of services, capabilities and professionals. “This workplace will act as a showcase of the best of CBRE.”

The opening of CBRE’s new CBD office follows a three-month renovation of the space, which was previously leased to Marina Bay Sands (MBS).

CBRE noted that with this investment, it is recognising Singapore’s position as a major market and regional hub.

Smart working features at the new office include state-of-the-art meeting and video-conferencing spaces, and workspaces designed to accommodate neuro-diversity.

There will also be a cafe, with an expansive view of the Marina Bay area up to Marina Centre, MBS and Singapore Flyer. CBRE staff and guests will be able to enjoy freshly brewed coffee prepared by a barista as well as snacks, all at highly discounted prices, at the cafe.

The new premises incorporate technology to monitor and optimise air quality, and energy consumption by zones. In addition, staff will be able to customise space settings, and some areas will feature circadian lighting and soundscaping to automatically match outdoor light and weather conditions.

Armstrong said having its CBD office in the Marina Bay locale, with easy access to transport nodes and amenities, enables the group to enhance client and employee experience. “It is an ideal position from which we can drive growth in the centre of Singapore’s financial district.”

CBRE’s deputy managing director of Singapore advisory, Michael Tay, too, said: “Better facilities, amenities and technology allied to a focus on sustainability features reflect our commitment to our employees and clients alike.”

Tay, who is also head of capital markets for Singapore, said: “This enhanced workplace environment will greatly impact wellbeing, productivity and ultimately, quality of output.”

CBRE is putting together submissions for certification of sustainability credentials for its new office – such as Green Mark Platinum (from Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority), WELL (a certification on building occupants’ health and well-being issued by the International Well Building Institute), and the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold.

Following the relocation of its CBD office, CBRE has planned enhancement works for its Singapore head office at PLQ 3.