Pre-war flats @ Tiong Bahru

[redstone]

I dream to own a house in these art deco apartments!!!

[Dounut]

Originally Posted by route16

Erm, is isn't this thread about walk-up flats (which are lowrise)?

Anyway, I believe MOST flats here range from 700+ sq ft to 1300+ sq ft. The buildings go up to 5 floors, and most units have between 1 to 3 bed rooms and some have step down kitchens. Flats in their original condition may also have a cooking area with chinmey. You should contact an agent and go house viewing if interested to see the interiors...

Flat in their original condition ? ? You mean these flats have been "amended" before by relevant authorities ? ?

Step down kitchen sounds good. I was told that these units are large, compared to those built later in the 60s, 70s & 80s.

I remembered a relative stayed in the area when I was very young, and shifted to somewhere else when I was still very young. So, I don't remember how it look like inside.

[route16]

Originally Posted by Dounut

Flat in their original condition ? ? You mean these flats have been "amended" before by relevant authorities ? ?

No, but by their owners.

[googoobird]

Hello TB ppl,

Just wondering how much would a 1300 sq ft place would cost approx?
Also, if anybody can recommend a good agent specialising in this area?

Am house hunting in this area, and would gladly post pics of the houses that I view once i get started!

Thanks in advance..

[Dounut]

Good idea, googoobird

I am also eyeing at this area, but looking at Class Ads, didn't really see unit for sales in this area.

[googoobird]

same here didn't see any ads for this area. think will call up random tiong bahru agents to ask them if they have something..

[route16]

Try calling PropNex and ask if they have any listings or agents who are familiar with the area. I think the units are fairly in demand so the agents don't get round to listing units for sale in the classifieds.

[Dounut]

Har ? ?

Then how can I find out if there is any seller ? ?

Agents are classified by different areas, not agency ? ?

What is the website that can find out if an agent is representing 1 or more agencies ? ?

[Pengui]

There are not only old flats at Tiong Bahru, there are also cool cars !


And this one just a corner away:

[RafflesCity]

2nd pic is definitely retro ;-)

Overview of the Tiong Bahru old flats:

[redstone]

The heritage flats area is getting smaller...

[RafflesCity]

Which ones are preserved and which ones are not 'safe' ?

The size of the estate and its location is pretty prime I'd say.....and the contrast between the old area and the new highrise density behind it quite stark.

[redstone]

All the bahau-ish and cubic-ish flats are not preserved, only the art deco ones.

[RafflesCity]

oh i see...

Actually what I like about that entire lowrise area is the variety of buildings there, from the art-deco ones, to the simple cubic ones, to the shophouses

[redstone]

I think a row of them was demolished recently for a small condo project, seen there as the 2 larger buildings behind the rotting corner shophouse

[RafflesCity]

I love how the new Tiong Bahru Market disguises so well with all its older neighbours

[route16]

STI Home > Life! > Life Design > Story

March 24, 2007
Hip replacement
By Tay Suan Chiang

IT MAY have had a $50,000 makeover to give its interior the sleek lines of contemporary living, but this 60-year-old flat at Tiong Bahru has retained its heart - in more ways than one.

Some original touches have been kept, such as the cabinet doors in the kitchen, which were sanded down and repainted.

There's also an original built-in mosaic window seat that runs along the length of the living room. The owners and friends enjoy watching the bustle of trendy Tiong Bahru from it.

The owners, a young working couple who declined to be named, faced quite a challenge when they bought the flat.

It wasn't fit to be lived in, they recall of the 925 sq ft flat bought 11/2 years ago for about $300,000.

Indeed, the four flights of stairs leading up to it still look every one of their six decades in age.

But step inside, and shabby becomes chic.

While the facade is old, the owners, who moved in last month, said: 'We decided that retro wasn't us and we wouldn't be able to live with it in the long run.'

Major work had to be done, the first of which was the flooring. The flat's old tiles were removed and in their place is cement flooring. As well as giving an edgy, urban vibe, the owners say it is more affordable and easy to maintain.

Small but cosy

The flat also had two bedrooms at the front that have been converted into a bigger living area. A third bedroom nearer the entrance of the flat is now the couple's bedroom.

While the pair love the flat's convenient location, they say there is a downside to living there.

'Space is a real challenge; it is just right for two of us and our small dog,' he says.

So when it comes to buying items for the home, they have to think twice. 'Everything must be small and compact.'


SPACED OUT: To enlarge the living and dining areas, two bedrooms at the front of the house were knocked down. -- LIM WUI LIANG


DOUBLE DUTY: The home owners opted for a horizontal commercial fridge which could also act as a counter top. -- LIM WUI LIANG


AS GOOD AS NEW: An old-style calendar hangs from a restored door of a kitchen cabinet. -- LIM WUI LIANG


TILED TREASURE: A mosaic-tiled seat by the living room window was retained in its original condition, offering visitors a bird's eye view of Tiong Bahru. -- LIM WUI LIANG


JUNK FIND: The grilles with heart-shaped patterns were taken from the home owner's former neighbour in Braddell who had thrown it out during his renovation works. -- LIM WUI LIANG


CLEAN LOOK: White is the predominant colour scheme in the house. -- LIM WUI LIANG

[paddington2808]

wow!! really Cool Picture!
If these flats are so-called prewar and are 60-year old, does that mean they only have 30 over years left ??
Am thinking of buying one of these flats but if thats the case, paying $300k for it maybe too expensive!!

HKM

[redstone]

Wow... my dream housing area... sadly more than 15 years beyond rich.

[profkingsfield2004]

My grandparents lived at #81 Tras Street from 1923 to 1938. The building has been preserved. I got an old 1934 picture of our house then.

I lived in my grandparents ground floor flat at Eng Hoon Street in the 1950s thru 1970s. My grandparents moved into this place in 1938 just after the SIT offered it for rental. My family bought over from HDB in 1966. I am very familiar with the events that took place during my time such as:

1. Bank run at Chung Kiaw Bank branch which lead to United Chinese Bank buying over Chung Kiaw Bank. That was in the early 1960s. The building is still there facing the SHELL Station on Outram Road.

2. Bukit Ho Swee Fire in 1961

3. The Chinese temple at Eng Hoon Street which used to host street wayangs and monkey god sitting on the sedan chair

4. The Seng Poh Road Market which had the old hawker center constructed in 1971.

5. # 6 Hock Lee Bus ran a bus service from Chulia Street (in front of the OCBC Center today) to Tiong Bahru Estate

6. There is a WW2 air raid shelter at Block 81 Moh Guan Terrace (now an arts gallery I was told). My grandfather, uncle and father served in the ARP during the war.

7. Outram Prison (Outram Park) was the place they hung the Japanese POWS convicted in the "Double Tenth Trial" of April 1946.

I am salvaging many of my grandparents photos taken of the interiors, the front and our furniture between 1938 and 1975.