Hotel Miramar, a long-standing landmark along Havelock Road near Robertson Quay, will cease operations at the end of October 2025, with 108 employees set to be retrenched. The 342-room hotel, which has been part of Singapore’s hospitality landscape since 1971, is closing following a business outlook review that deemed long-term operations unsustainable.
The decision was announced in a joint statement with the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU). Both parties emphasised that employees would be treated with dignity and fairness, with retrenchment benefits aligned to union norms and additional payouts for long-serving staff. Some employees have dedicated more than 50 years of service to the hotel, highlighting its deep roots in the community.
Retrenchment Support and Workforce Transition
Hotel Miramar has been unionised since 1973 and is recognised for maintaining a strong labour-management relationship. In the retrenchment exercise, employees under re-employment will also receive packages, while newer staff with less than two years of service will get ex-gratia payments.
FDAWU’s General Secretary, Sankaradass S. Chami, acknowledged the hotel’s contribution to Singapore’s hospitality sector and assured that the union will continue supporting displaced employees in securing alternative employment.
Prime Location Holds Redevelopment Potential
While the closure signals the end of Hotel Miramar’s legacy, attention has now turned to the site’s future. Earlier reports in July revealed that a deal worth around S$200 million to sell the property to Japanese investors was nearing completion.
Situated along Havelock Road and within walking distance of Robertson Quay and Clarke Quay, the hotel sits on prime land that is highly attractive to developers. With the area already a hub for luxury condominiums, serviced apartments, and high-end dining, the site could be redeveloped into a mixed-use project combining residential, hospitality, and commercial elements.
Industry watchers note that Singapore’s strong demand for riverfront property, coupled with limited land supply in the central region, makes the Hotel Miramar site particularly valuable for real estate investors. Should redevelopment plans materialise, the project is expected to command significant interest from both local and foreign buyers, further boosting property values in the area.
Hotel Miramar’s closure may be bittersweet for long-serving staff and loyal guests, but the site is poised for transformation, potentially reshaping the Robertson Quay skyline and injecting fresh value into Singapore’s urban property market.