[2] In 1966, the Urban Renewal Department of the Housing and Development Board was formed to facilitate greater flexibility and autonomy in comprehensive redevelopment of Singapore's Central Area.

[3] Built at a cost of S$18 million and completed in 1973, the 16-storey Golden Mile Complex is one of the early pioneers of integrating multiple operations into a single mixed-use development in Singapore.

[5] A minor upgrading was carried out on the Golden Mile Complex building in 1983, when tinted glass was added to the Beach Road façade to achieve the desired overall thermal transfer value rating.

[11] The Golden Mile Complex is a commercial and residential development, providing offices, shopping, entertainment services and apartment living within its podium and stepped terrace structure, resulting in a modern architectural style known as Brutalism.

[4] Sited on 1.3 hectares and built to a height of 89 metres,[13] the Golden Mile Complex is an exemplary type of "megastructure" described by architectural historian, Reyner Banham.

[4] Conceived as a prototype for a lively environment, the design of the Golden Mile Complex was intended to catalyse urban development along Beach Road by employing an extruded section that would stretch along the East Coast facing the sea.

[15] The step-terraced profile of the Golden Mile Complex offers the occupants of the apartments on the upper floors panoramic view of the sea and sky.

The narrowness of this sloping slab form enhances natural ventilation and shades a lofty communal concourse above the podium along Beach Road.