Total Transformation

Great World Serviced Apartments in River Valley recently undertook a complete refurbishment of its 304 apartments. We take a glimpse at this monumental task and find out what residents think of the new look.

- AMY BROOK-PARTRIDGE

Whether you’re staying a couple of weeks or two years, serviced apartments act like a home away from home for residents. Great World Serviced Apartments (GWSA) has been doing this job since the late 1990s, and with its last minor refurbishment in 2013, the property was definitely due a makeover.

But how do you renovate a property of this size without major disruption to the residents? DARREN CHER, senior general manager at GWSA, explains that the renovation was carried out in phases, hence the buffer floors between occupied units and those under refurbishment were arranged to minimise noise disruption.

The West Tower was the first section that was earmarked for renovations, starting with 28 units over six floors in September 2019. The next phases involved the common areas: the main reception area, gym, children’s playroom and swimming pool. Darren explains that the outdoor jacuzzi was moved to level three, with the main swimming pool. “In its place now is an outdoor alfresco area where residents can chill or work next to a beautiful manmade waterfall landscape.”

Another change saw the residents’ lounge overhauled to incorporate co-working spaces and booths, as well as a meeting room for private discussions, to cater to the increasing work-from-home trend.