RafflesCity
February 11th, 2006, 06:31 AM
The following article is taken from URA's newsletter: http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline05/skyline05-04/pg11.html
Heritage Hunting at Bukit Pasoh
BY PAULINE PHUA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/pasoh.jpg
PLACES HAVE A special way of evoking our feelings and memories. Quaint streets, historic districts and unique architecture often leave a lasting impression on us. Our built heritage are links to our past and help to form part of our collective identity. Conservation is thus very relevant and important today, especially to a city that has evolved and developed quickly over the last few decades.
URA recognises this importance. In Singapore, building conservation is an integral part of land use planning. URA actively focuses on how to retain and enhance places with a sense of history and identity. In identifying areas to be conserved, consideration is given to those that reflect certain periods in Singapore’s development or hold historical significance.
Keeping them as they are
Today, more than 6,500 buildings have been given conservation status in Singapore. Besides giving us a sense of belonging, these historical buildings add to the charm and character of our city by offering variety in our landscape, in terms of architecture, scale, colour and texture. They complement modern skyscrapers and give us a unique cityscape. They are a welcome visual contrast to the modern high-rise buildings around them.
The bulk of conserved buildings and areas are in the central area of Singapore such as the four historic districts of Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India and Boat Quay, which were the early ethnic settlements.
It is little wonder that areas given conservation status found themselves turn into a trendy creative and lifestyle hub. They are very much sought after by advertising and design agencies, production houses, boutique hotels, concept stores, spas and yoga centres, all hankering after an address in a quirky conserved area.
Hotels galore
The conserved area of Bukit Pasoh is a case in point. Bounded by New Bridge Road, Keong Saik Road, Kreta Ayer Road, Neil Road and Cantonment Road, the area was first given conservation status in 1989. In addition, more shophouses along Teck Lim Road and Keong Siak Road were given conservation status later in 1991. This area contains two-and three-storey shophouses mainly of the Transitional, Late and Art Deco Styles.
Keong Saik Road is an interesting place. One could call it "colourful" because of certain trades and activities that operate along this street. However, today, amid these establishments, old-style Chinese coffeeshops and small local shops lie the occasional lifestyle cafes and boutique hotels.
The trendy boutique Hotel 1929 calls this street home. Restored according to conservation guidelines, the hip and charming hotel maintains its original façade and architectural heritage, and does not look one bit out of place in this colourful area. In fact, the hotel, a winner of URA's Architectural Heritage Award in 2003, changed the fabric of the neighbourhood as it is now seen as a uber cool place housed within a traditional building. Teck Lim Road, a street almost perpendicular to Keong Saik, also boasts numerous small boutique hotels for travellers looking for an inexpensive stay in an unconventionally hip area.
http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline05/skyline05-04/images/pg11.jpg
The trendy boutique Hotel 1929
Heritage Hunting at Bukit Pasoh
BY PAULINE PHUA
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v133/RafflesCity/pasoh.jpg
PLACES HAVE A special way of evoking our feelings and memories. Quaint streets, historic districts and unique architecture often leave a lasting impression on us. Our built heritage are links to our past and help to form part of our collective identity. Conservation is thus very relevant and important today, especially to a city that has evolved and developed quickly over the last few decades.
URA recognises this importance. In Singapore, building conservation is an integral part of land use planning. URA actively focuses on how to retain and enhance places with a sense of history and identity. In identifying areas to be conserved, consideration is given to those that reflect certain periods in Singapore’s development or hold historical significance.
Keeping them as they are
Today, more than 6,500 buildings have been given conservation status in Singapore. Besides giving us a sense of belonging, these historical buildings add to the charm and character of our city by offering variety in our landscape, in terms of architecture, scale, colour and texture. They complement modern skyscrapers and give us a unique cityscape. They are a welcome visual contrast to the modern high-rise buildings around them.
The bulk of conserved buildings and areas are in the central area of Singapore such as the four historic districts of Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India and Boat Quay, which were the early ethnic settlements.
It is little wonder that areas given conservation status found themselves turn into a trendy creative and lifestyle hub. They are very much sought after by advertising and design agencies, production houses, boutique hotels, concept stores, spas and yoga centres, all hankering after an address in a quirky conserved area.
Hotels galore
The conserved area of Bukit Pasoh is a case in point. Bounded by New Bridge Road, Keong Saik Road, Kreta Ayer Road, Neil Road and Cantonment Road, the area was first given conservation status in 1989. In addition, more shophouses along Teck Lim Road and Keong Siak Road were given conservation status later in 1991. This area contains two-and three-storey shophouses mainly of the Transitional, Late and Art Deco Styles.
Keong Saik Road is an interesting place. One could call it "colourful" because of certain trades and activities that operate along this street. However, today, amid these establishments, old-style Chinese coffeeshops and small local shops lie the occasional lifestyle cafes and boutique hotels.
The trendy boutique Hotel 1929 calls this street home. Restored according to conservation guidelines, the hip and charming hotel maintains its original façade and architectural heritage, and does not look one bit out of place in this colourful area. In fact, the hotel, a winner of URA's Architectural Heritage Award in 2003, changed the fabric of the neighbourhood as it is now seen as a uber cool place housed within a traditional building. Teck Lim Road, a street almost perpendicular to Keong Saik, also boasts numerous small boutique hotels for travellers looking for an inexpensive stay in an unconventionally hip area.
http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skyline05/skyline05-04/images/pg11.jpg
The trendy boutique Hotel 1929