THE former Ministry of Home Affairs Complex at Tanglin Road has been put up for tender for office use.

Also called Pheonix Park, the sprawling site was left vacant after temporary occupant Republic Polytechnic moved out in 2006.

The site has rich historical value as it was previously a key Government site, used to house the headquarters of the Internal Security Department and then the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Interested bidders will have to do up the run-down buildings - there are altogether 31 blocks on the site - before leasing them out. The site also has a basketball court and several carparks.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) launched the tender for the 59,630 sq m site - the largest for office use - on Tuesday. It expects keen interest from property leasing and consultancy firms, as well as MNCs and companies which wish to expand or relocate their back-of-house operations.

The tenancy is for an initial three years and renewable up to 2017.

The indicative rent is set at $165,000 per month.

The site is near private residential estate, and a number of embassies, high commissions and consulates.

SLA's Senior Manager of Project Services, Mr Winston Cheah said, 'SLA is looking for a master tenant to take up the entire site for office use. This site is attractive because of its good location, important historical value, and it also offers some fringe 'exclusivity' with the pleasant surroundings and lush greenery.'

SLA office tenders well-received
On the sub-leasing programme by SLA's office tenants so far, Mr Cheah said its office tenders have been well-received with strong bids submitted.

'This supply has met the immediate need of tenants decanting from prime locations. We understand from our tenants that the take-up rates from their sub-tenants have also been good,' he said.

' There is also a healthy take-up by local startups, MNCs, Financial Institutions and public-listed companies of all our prime, city-fringe and suburban located State properties. SLA will continue to monitor the take-up and identify more suitable sites for office use, if demand is prevalent.'