One KM
Purpose-built light industrial facility with modern logistics infrastructure and flexible unit configurations
Street-level view of One KM, Tuas Loop, Singapore. Imagery: Google Street View (user-contributed imagery), accessed August 2024.
Project Overview
Location & Connectivity
One KM is situated in the Tuas industrial precinct, Singapore’s western manufacturing and logistics hub. The building occupies a strategic corner lot on Tuas Loop, with direct frontage and recessed vehicle set-down. The Tuas estate has undergone significant infrastructure investment in recent years, with new rail connections and roadway improvements designed to support high-density industrial use. The location benefits from established utilities, three-phase power supply, and dedicated business parks amenities. Neighbouring properties range from food manufacturers to electronics assembly plants, indicating a diverse, established industrial economy in the micromarket.
Connectivity is robust. Tuas Link MRT Station is approximately 900 metres away (≈12-minute walk), providing interchange between the Downtown Line and cross-island transit. By road, One KM has direct access via Tuas Loop to the Paya Lebar Expressway (PIE, 4km north-west) and Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE, 6km east), with secondary routing through local industrial roads to Choa Chu Kang Road and Bukit Batok. Motorists report transit times of 20–30 minutes to Changi Airport terminals and 15–18 minutes to Port of Singapore (Tuas sector). Road freight operators appreciate the designated truck routes and off-peak vehicle movement windows that reduce congestion in surrounding residential zones.
Supporting amenities include three food courts and canteens within walking distance, a 24-hour petrol station on Tuas Loop, and the Tuas Industrial Complex’s visitor parking provision. The Singapore Business Federation and several industry associations maintain offices in adjacent buildings. Mobile connectivity, emergency services (Tuas neighbourhood police station, 2.2km south), and medical facilities (nearby polyclinic) are all within operational reach. Schools and residential housing are located east of the PIE; most industrial workers commute from outer residential zones or dormitories (foreign worker housing is available 3–5km away).
Location of One KM, Tuas Loop industrial estate. Map data: Google Maps, accessed August 2024.
Building & Facilities
One KM is a four-storey semi-detached warehouse completed in 2015, designed to B1 light industrial standards with robust floor loadings and ceiling heights optimised for storage and assembly operations. The building envelope is reinforced concrete frame and masonry, with metal cladding and polycarbonate roof panels. Clear floor-to-floor heights average 5.2 metres on levels 1–3 and 4.8 metres on level 4 (mezzanine-ready). Slabs are designed for distributed loads of 5kPa and point loads up to 30 tonnes per support column, typical for industrial machinery and tall racking installations.
Common facilities include three electric goods lifts (capacity 2,500 kg each), dedicated loading docks on the ground floor with level access and weather protection, and an on-site 150-space hardstanding carpark (mix of standard and heavy-vehicle bays). A 2,000-litre diesel fuel tank serves the facility’s standby generator (backup power for critical tenants). The building’s HVAC is zoned; climate control is available on request but many units operate as naturally ventilated spaces to minimise operating costs. Electrical metering is individual per unit, with provisions for three-phase 63-amp distribution to each main lease or sublease. Water supply and drainage comply with Public Utilities Board standards; a roof-level rainwater harvesting system reduces external water demand by approximately 15% annually.
The building has been maintained to good condition with a periodic major refurbishment in 2022, including roof waterproofing, internal wall repainting, and fire safety systems upgrade (sprinklers, smoke detection, emergency lighting). All statutory inspections (Building and Construction Authority compliance, fire safety audit, structural engineer sign-off) are current as of August 2024. The property carries a satisfactory environmental audit rating; no historical contamination issues are noted. Tenant liability insurance and building insurance are mandated; the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) fee is approximately S$2.80 per sqm per annum.
Unit Types & Floor Plan Notes
One KM comprises four main leasable units per floor, with flexibility to cluster units for larger occupiers requiring consolidated space. Typical unit configurations range from 1,800 sqm (single-level whole-floor) to sub-units of 600–800 sqm on individual levels. The building layout is an open-plan industrial module, allowing tenants to install demountable partition walls, mezzanines, and plant rooms without structural interference. The two-unit corner configuration on each level offers excellent truck access and sightlines for visitor parking and asset visibility.
≈1,800 sqm (full floor)
Entire level, unobstructed column-free open plan with two goods lift access points and dual loading dock connectivity. Suitable for contract manufacturers, food processors, and high-throughput assembly operations.
≈900 sqm (half floor)
Half-level subdivision, independent goods lift and loading dock access. Ideal for mid-sized logistics operators, light assembly, or secure storage requiring climate control.
≈600 sqm (quarter floor)
Smaller flexible unit with shared lift and loading access. Popular for small manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and e-commerce fulfillment micro-hubs.
≈2,400 sqm (dual-level mezzanine)
Two levels combined with integrated mezzanine storage tier, ideal for high-value inventory (electronics, pharmaceuticals) requiring segregated secure storage and office workspace.
Investment Case
One KM represents a mid-tier industrial investment in an established, high-demand micro-market. Tuas has been Singapore’s designated heavy industrial and petrochemical zone for decades; recent government planning policy has reinforced its role as a future advanced manufacturing and logistics hub. The property benefits from modern construction (2015), recent capex (2022 refurbishment), and stable tenant demand driven by food manufacturing, contract electronics, and pharmaceutical packaging—sectors with strong export markets and local supply-chain resilience. The building’s semi-detached form reduces single-tenant vacancy exposure compared to larger monolithic warehouses, and the 30-year leasehold (≈21 years remaining as of 2024) is acceptable for institutional investors with medium-term hold horizons.
What Works
- Tuas estate is core to Singapore’s manufacturing strategy; strong occupier demand and rising rents
- Modern building (2015, recent capex) with robust structure and flexible lease terms
- Diverse tenant base (F&B, electronics, contract manufacturing) reduces sector-concentration risk
- Excellent road access (PIE, AYE) and emerging MRT connectivity (Tuas Link, 900m away)
- Competitive rental yields (≈5.5–6.5% gross) appeal to yield-focused institutional investors
What to Weigh Carefully
- Remaining leasehold (≈21 years) limits long-term hold appeal; en-bloc redevelopment unlikely in near term
- Industrial zoning restricts end-user pool; conversion to residential or commercial is not permitted
- Tenant base skews toward manufacturing; vulnerable to economic downturns, trade disruption, or automation
- Gross margins (after MCST, property tax, capex reserve) typically 40–50%; tight cash flow if vacancy rises
- Foreign investor ABSD exposure (15%) and stamp duties reduce entry/exit flexibility for non-resident buyers
Who This Suits
One KM is well-suited to institutional investors with a 3–7 year hold horizon, seeking stable industrial-sector income and capital appreciation in a government-designated strategic manufacturing zone. Owner-occupiers in food manufacturing, electronics assembly, pharmaceuticals, and contract logistics find the flexible floor plate and dual-access design operationally efficient. Private equity and REITs focused on South-East Asian logistics have shown consistent demand for Tuas-located assets, particularly buildings with high occupancy rates (One KM typically achieves 85–95% occupancy) and long-term anchor tenants. Syndicators and smaller portfolio investors should note that typical lot sizes are 1–2 units (S$2.5M–S$6M per tranche), making entry feasible for mid-market players. Conversely, the 30-year leasehold and manufacturing-only zoning make it unsuitable for buy-and-hold retirement portfolios or growth-focused investors with long time horizons. International buyers should account for ABSD (15% for non-citizen permanent residents, 20% for foreign entities), which adds material transactional friction.