
CNA938 Rewind - A Letter to Myself: Joseph Ong's journey from humble beginnings to the peak of the F&B and lifestyle sector
Joseph Ong is the founder, chairman, and managing director of one of Singapore's most established F&B and lifestyle companies — 1 Group, which owns and manages close to 30 restaurants and bars, including Monti, 1-Altitude Coast, 1918 Heritage Bar, Beesknees, and more. Joseph shares how his unlikely journey to success — which began in a rental flat when he was growing up — was paved with hard work and a fervent belief in collective leadership.

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CNA
3 minutes ago
- CNA
Aurea: An iconic residential development rooted in culture and urban renewal
Along a stretch of Beach Road noted for its architecture and layered histories, a new residential development is taking shape. Aurea stands beside the conserved Golden Mile Complex (now renamed as The Golden Mile) – Singapore's first large-scale strata-titled building to be officially gazetted – and marks a new chapter in a precinct long defined by both preservation and reinvention. The evolution of The Golden Mile, from its beginnings as a modernist 'linear city' to its recent conservation, continues to define the character of the precinct. Aurea builds on this legacy, drawing from the past while looking toward the future. Connected directly via an elevated link bridge to The Golden Mile – which will house retail, offices and medical suites – Aurea is part of a growing mixed-use community that blends privacy with urban convenience. A NEIGHBOURHOOD IN TRANSITION Located at the southeastern edge of Downtown Core, Aurea sits at the intersection of heritage and renewal. The Golden Mile remains a landmark in this evolving precinct – a national icon whose Brutalist facade and modernist origins have shaped Beach Road's identity for over five decades. Its ongoing restoration is set to bring new life into the area, with public access expected by the third quarter of 2029. Surrounding this is a wider transformation guided by long-term urban strategies. To the north, the Kallang Alive Master Plan will revitalise the Singapore Sports Hub as a lifestyle and events destination. Nearby, the Kampong Bugis redevelopment is set to introduce a sustainable, pedestrian-friendly waterfront district. Closer to the city centre, the Ophir-Rochor Corridor continues to grow as a hub for mixed-use developments, reinforcing the precinct's role as a connected urban enclave. URBAN EASE WITH A CULTURAL LENS Aurea's location offers a rare blend of city-edge convenience and cultural depth. A short walk away, Kampong Gelam remains a vibrant expression of Singapore's heritage – anchored by the gold-domed Sultan Mosque and surrounded by textile traders, independent boutiques and street art galleries like Gelam Gallery. Dining options nearby range from heritage hawker fare at Golden Mile Food Centre to brunch and coffee spots like Earlybird and % Arabica on Arab Street. On Haji Lane, Bar Stories is a discreet cocktail bar offering bespoke tipples, while Chix Hot Chicken brings Nashville-style fried chicken to the mix. Retail and everyday amenities are close at hand, with Suntec City, Bugis, Raffles City, Marina Bay Sands and Orchard Road all within easy reach. The area is well-served by public and private transport, with Nicoll Highway MRT (Circle Line) a short walk away and the East Coast Parkway, Marina Coastal Expressway and Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway close by. The upcoming North-South Corridor, Singapore's first integrated transport corridor, will further boost connectivity. Despite its proximity to the city, green spaces remain close. Kallang Riverside Park provides a tranquil waterfront escape, while larger recreational spaces such as Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Sports Hub allow for weekend unwinding or active days out. With just 188 units, Aurea offers a degree of privacy that feels increasingly uncommon in the city. Homes are designed around space, light and a connection to the outdoors – principles that define both the Signature Collection and the Sky Villa Collection. The Signature Collection, from levels 4 to 32, features 56 four-bedroom residences, each with private lift access. Framing views of the Kallang Basin and Marina Bay, the generous balconies function as extensions of the living space and are suited to quiet mornings and small gatherings. Above, from level 34, the Sky Villa Collection offers 18 five-bedroom units and two penthouses, with just two homes per floor. Balconies here are open-air living rooms, looking out over the bay or city skyline. A triplex penthouse crowns the building, complete with a private rooftop pool – a vantage point designed for pause above the city. Interiors are warm yet restrained, centred on natural light and texture. Floor-to-ceiling windows draw in the view, while soft, curving corridors create a subtle divide between shared and private spaces. Finishes include Italian marble, custom kitchen cabinetry and European appliances – understated, functional and enduring. EVERYDAY SPACES, ELEVATED BY DESIGN Aurea's architectural language takes cues from its context – reinterpreting the oculus forms of The Golden Mile through sculptural elements and softened vertical lines. A fluid facade, layered greenery and sky terraces break up the tower's mass, lending it a sense of lightness. 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CNA
33 minutes ago
- CNA
Celebrating 55 years of Range Rover with its first showcase in Singapore
For over five decades, Range Rover has expressed its vision of contemporary craftsmanship through breathtaking, modernist design and innovative engineering capability. From Aug 16 to Aug 31, this journey comes to life at Level 1 Atrium, Ion Orchard, where the Range Rover Showcase welcomes the public into an immersive space that blends innovation with the brand's distinctive design ethos. Building on the invitation-only Range Rover House events, this marks the first time the brand is offering an engaging experience to a wider audience in Asia, open to all. The showcase follows a series of defining appearances in 2025 – from its first global brand installation at Milan Design Week to a curated experience at The Championships, Wimbledon, where it served as the tournament's official vehicle partner. Open daily from 10am to 10pm, the Range Rover Showcase provides visitors with a deeper appreciation of the brand's origins and continuous evolution. STEP INTO THE STORY The Range Rover Showcase unfolds across three curated chapters, each revealing a different facet of the brand. Among the highlights is a creative collaboration with local pastry artisan Patisserie Woo – translating distinctive elements of each Range Rover into a unique collection of confectionery creations. Together, these chapters invite visitors to experience the brand through fresh perspectives and multisensory encounters. Now in its fifth generation, Range Rover combines progressive design with understated elegance. From its signature silhouette to its streamlined interior, the emphasis is on proportion and poise. Iconic cues – from the falling roofline to the strong waistline and rising sill – define a profile that is purposeful and instantly recognisable. Comfort-enhancing features such as Cabin Air Purification Pro underscore a considered approach to well-being and everyday ease. Whether traversing city streets or conquering rugged terrain, Range Rover is built for leaders of today, offering a first-class driving experience that blends a calm, contemporary sanctuary with a commanding presence. This August, the Range Rover Showcase in Singapore offers a window into the quiet confidence and refined capability that continue to set it apart. Want a closer look at the details behind the design? Discover the Range Rover Showcase at Level 1 Atrium, Ion Orchard, from Aug 16 to Aug 31, 10am to 10pm. Complimentary on-site registration is required – approach a brand ambassador to secure your 20-minute slot.
Business Times
3 hours ago
- Business Times
Overseas placement scheme for locals ahead of pace at six-month mark
[SINGAPORE] A Workforce Singapore (WSG) initiative has placed 70 locals in overseas roles within six months of its November launch – surpassing a quarter of its two-year target. The S$16 million Overseas Markets Immersion Programme (OMIP) aims to place 250 locals within two years. The current participants come from 60 companies. 'It's been quite well-received,' said WSG director for trade and lifestyle Kenneth Wong. 'Trajectory-wise, we are making good progress.' The programme supports firms to send employees with little or no overseas experience for placements of at least six months, with funding for up to nine months. Companies must submit a structured overseas on-the-job training plan and a 24 to 36-month career development road map, to ensure that the stints contribute meaningfully to career progression. The profile of participating companies has been 'quite a mix', spanning sectors such as wholesale trade, information and communication technology, manufacturing, and finance, said Wong. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am SGSME Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips. Sign Up Sign Up In most cases, workers remain with their Singapore-based company, which may operate an overseas office or branch. Joint ventures can also tap the scheme, but firms without an overseas presence or partner cannot. Currently, about half of the placements are in Asean countries. Other markets include China and Switzerland. The participating employees are a 'well-balanced' mix of professionals, said Wong. They range from their late 20s to mid-career staff in their 30s and 40s, with some in their 50s as well. On why companies are keen to participate, Wong said: 'This is a good way for them to give global exposure to their talent that they want to groom. 'The programme is designed as a win-win: Companies pursue expansion or transformation plans, while individuals gain skills and career growth. It also helps with talent retention.' OMIP in action Both multinationals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have tapped the scheme. In March, Sony Electronics Singapore used OMIP to post manager Thomas Sim, 45, to its Sri Lanka branch, to serve as country head for two years. His remit includes research, market intelligence, and understanding consumer and competitor behaviour – tasks that require a physical presence, said Shirley Chia, a senior manager in Sony's human resource department. The assignment, she said, is part of a broader career plan to give Sim leadership experience and higher visibility for future opportunities in Singapore or abroad. Sim said being on the ground has enabled him to strengthen ties with local partners, sharpen his understanding of the market and respond more quickly to developments. After this posting, he hopes to take on more regional or global leadership roles, and to inspire others to consider international assignments. Greydient, an SME in creative branding, also plans to tap OMIP. It will send its head of project management to Thailand for at least six months to better understand the local business environment, client and consumer behaviour, and cultural nuances. Founder Keynes Yeo noted the importance of OMIP funding for SMEs, for which it is 'a luxury to have someone offshore'. The move will support Greydient's efforts to build a foothold and grow its brand in Thailand, he said. Such proximity allows for richer interactions than remote calls and creates opportunities for knowledge transfer that are harder to achieve from afar, he added.