Republic Plaza has 15 double-decker vertical lifts. RepublicPlaza is one of three 280 metres tall buildings in Singapore. 280 metres is the maximum height permitted by the National Aviation Authority. The tower is turned 45 degrees from the axis of the ground floor level to maintain ocean views from the upper floors Design/construction period 1986-1995 This tower was designed to reflect a subtle Oriental influence. The main lobby is four storeys high, finished in polished granite and ceramics.
It is framed by concrete-filled tubular steel columns. The exterior facade transitions from granite with strip windows to tinted wall glass, smoothly inclining from an octagonal base to a square top. The tower rose rapidly despite building complications which included a subway line beside the site, historically important buildings nearby, as well as natural boulders and abandoned piles underground. Building the tower on a caisson with more than 900 mini piles was used as a solution. The construction was completed in just under two years using the fast track process.
A total of 8,600 tons of structural steel and 31,000 cubic metres of concrete was used. The building is built to resist strong winds and even earthquakes by a combination of a core wall system and a moment-resisting frame on the exterior, including outrigger braces. After nightfall, only the glass top is visible when it is lit from within