SG60: The Unsung Profession Behind Singapore’s Skyline

Singapore’s story is one of relentless progress. But as we celebrate 60 years of nation-building, we must recognize that this progress begins not with bricks and mortar, but with people.

Soon after independence, a crucial discipline was formalised: Estate Management. This wasn’t just about training young Singaporeans to manage buildings; it was about empowering them to shape the entire communities. These pioneers were more than problem-solvers; they were protectors, trained to anticipate issues and uplift value for everyone.

As our iconic skyline soared, so did expectations. The role of the condo manager evolved from a simple caretaker to the leader of a complex, vertical community. They became the guardians of multi-million-dollar assets and the custodians of shared harmony—a responsibility that sits at the very heart of our national identity.

From Rare Jewels to Heartland Homes: The Condo Evolution

There was a time when condominiums in Singapore were rare jewels—exclusive, luxurious, and often detached from the daily pulse of the city.

But Singapore dared to dream differently. We envisioned a model that blended premium living with neighbourhood warmth. This vision gave birth to the Heartland Condo.

By the 1990s, a transformation was underway. Condos began sprouting near MRT stations, integrated with malls, and nestled close to schools—places where life actually happens. No longer confined to the central districts, condos became a powerful bridge between aspiration and accessibility.

From North to South, East to West, they didn’t just reshape our skyline; they became woven into the modern kampung spirit, becoming an integral part of the everyday heartbeat of Singapore. This proved a fundamental truth: homes aren’t just measured in square feet. They are defined by how connected we feel—to food, family, nature, and neighbours.

The $420 Billion Cornerstone: The Stakes of Estate Management

What began in the 1960s as a bold experiment—stacking homes sky-high and selling them unit by unit—has matured into a staggering S$420 billion cornerstone of Singaporean life and wealth. Today, 1 in 4 Singaporeans lives in one of our 420,000 condo units.

This immense value brings an immense responsibility. Because bricks don’t last without care, and communities don’t thrive without guidance. Left unchecked, even the grandest façade fades. Cracks deepen, tempers flare, and value sinks.

The future of this critical asset doesn’t lie in how these homes are built; it lies in how they are managed.

The Pivotal Shift: Professionalising a Nation-Building Profession

Recognizing this, the profession underwent a pivotal shift. Structured accreditation and continuous training became the norm, moving beyond a mere credential to a mandatory standard of excellence.

Today’s managing agents are held to the highest professional standards. They are not just skilled in operations and compliance; they are experts in managing expectations, emotions, and legacies. Every defect logged, every meeting chaired with skill, every neighbourly dispute resolved—this isn’t just administrative service. In the context of protecting a S$420 billion asset that houses a quarter of our population, it is nothing less than nation-building.

A Tribute to the Invisible Hands

As we look back on SG60, we must honour the invisible hands: the dedicated strata managers, council members, trainers and institutions who have built this profession.

To every educator and every professional on this journey: you are not just building careers. You are building Singapore. Through every diploma, every course and every coaching session, you are directly shaping the future of strata living and safeguarding our national progress.

Your work doesn’t just protect property; it protects dreams, dignity and decades of collective achievement.

Let’s continue to honour the educators, empower the professionals, and raise the bar ever higher.

Let’s celebrate the profession.
Majulah Singapura. ❤️

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Teo Poh Siang (Dr. Condo) is the Founder of Wisely 98 Pte Ltd. He provides expert property consultancy and trains tomorrow’s industry leaders in condo and strata  management.

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