BackHeritage » Saigon » Demolition of Saigon Tax Center Officially Starts Today

Demolition of Saigon Tax Center Officially Starts Today

As you’re reading this, Saigon’s iconic Tax Center is meeting its ultimate demise, making room for a new, 40-story skyscraper.

According to Tuoi Tre, workers recently finished dismantling architectural features of the old building which will be reinstalled during construction of the new building. Doan Hai Minh, deputy director of the Saigon Commercial Corporation (Satra), the project’s main investor, shared with the news source the list of the structures which will return.

On the outside, the “Thuong Xa Tax” signage, the canopy along the adjacent pavement and the façade at the Le Loi-Nguyen Hue corner will remain mostly untouched. Inside, the new building will reincorporate the main hall, along with its iconic design elements, including the intricate mosaic floors, balustrades, handrails and banisters in the shape of laurel flowers, as well as the Gaulois (Gallic Rooster) cockerels found on the main staircase and in the lobby lounge.

Minh also revealed that, from June to September this year, the process of taking apart important architectural structures, especially the decorative Moroccan mosaic, took place in secret to avoid public scrutiny.

The team behind this dismantling hails from the archaeology department of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities. They came up with the idea of digging beneath the mosaic surface to minimize damage while removing the precious tiles. However, Minh also explained that any tiles which were destroyed during the process will be replaced with locally made tiles, as it’s a tall order to find mosaics similar to the originals.

The Tax Center's Moroccan mosaic staircase. Photo via Alexandre Garel.

Last December, historians and conservationists raised concerns regarding the complex and time-consuming process of preserving the Tax Center's Moroccan mosaic, a job which requires extensive specialized training.

“Mosaics in [Vietnam] are completely different from Moroccan zellij [mosaics], and in our view there are no suitably qualified people here to do the job. It's highly specialized work,” historian Tim Doling told Saigoneer late last year. “That's nothing to be ashamed of, as every country has its areas of specialism. But we impressed upon Satra how crucial it is in this case to use overseas conservation experts, ideally with mosaic experience, and sent them a long list of possible candidates in Australia, USA and [the] UK. The French Consul General would also be willing to advise on suitable experts in France.”

Beyond the mosaic itself, Doling also points out that the new façade design, which is meant to include neo-classical flourishes, remains a mystery.

“All we have been shown so far is an artists' sketch, and since detailed drawings have not been released to the public, no one has a clue what they plan to do,” he tells Saigoneer via email.

Doling adds: “Hopefully they will concentrate more on the lines of the original façade, which have a more timeless quality.”

Zing reports that the Tax Center demolition will take place over 90 days before construction of the new commercial complex begins. The new building will be a 40-story multipurpose venue, including office spaces, commercial zones, a conference center, a hotel and even a helipad. Its six basement floors will connect to the forthcoming Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line.


Related Articles:

Saigon's Tax Center Skyscraper Will Have a Helipad

The Saigon Tax Trade Center Mosaic Staircase: A Forgotten Moroccan Masterpiece

Say Goodbye to Saigon's Tax Center


Related Articles

in Saigon

A Brief History of District 1's Collège d’Adran, Saigon's Oldest School

Driving past the Saigon Zoological and Botanical Garden toward Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh Street, many of us might not notice the presence of Võ Trường Toản Secondary School and Trưng Vương High School. The two ...

in Saigon

A Brief History of Saigon's Now-Defunct Thu Thiem Ferry Service

While the Thu Thiem Bridge and Thu Thiem Tunnel allow easy access to the District 2 peninsula from nearby districts, for decades past Saigoneers had to rely on the Thu Thiem Ferry to cross the river.

in Saigon

After Demolition Begins, City Officials Order Renovation of Century-Old Villa

After its owner caught the public's attention by demolishing portions of the building, one of Saigon’s few remaining century-old villas might finally get the renovation it deserves.

in Saigon

Ancient Tombs of Saigon: The Mass Grave Under Dan Chu Roundabout

Saigoneers living in the vicinity of District 10’s Dan Chu Square may be aghast to discover that their homes could be sitting on the city’s largest mass burial site.

in Saigon

Date With the Wrecking Ball: The Former Secretariat du Gouvernement Building, 59-61 Ly Tu Trong

The project to build a new City Administration Centre behind the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee involves the destruction of several heritage buildings. The art deco office and apartment block at ...

in Saigon

From Swampland to Heartland: The History of Bến Thành Market

From the very first discussions in 1868 regarding a new marketplace for Saigon, it was not until 1914, that Bến Thành Market became a reality. The birth of the market was like a dream come true, one t...

Partner Content