Charming Bukit Pasoh (the other end of Chinatown)

[RafflesCity]

The following article is taken from URA's newsletter: http://www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/skylin...5-04/pg11.html


Heritage Hunting at Bukit Pasoh

BY PAULINE PHUA



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.


The trendy boutique Hotel 1929

[RafflesCity]

Having a drink in the old-style coffee shops along Keong Saik Road

'New age' in historic place
Cosy lifestyle cafes and 'new age' healing centres can also be found on Keong Saik Street. The owner of "Whatever" Yoga & Healing Space, Stella Yfantidis, is one that cannot resist the charm of this neighbourhood when she was looking for a location to set up her yoga centre two years ago. An Australian who has been living in Singapore for the past 14 years, she is drawn to the notoriety of this area, and likes being surrounded by wonderful little hotels for all kinds of budget.

Most importantly, she said: "I like the authenticity of this area. It is not commercialised. It is unique. It still retains its old character, charm and some history."

Street of clans
Bukit Pasoh Road, nicknamed the street of clans with some 30 Chinese cultural and clan associations, boasts many ornate and beautiful shophouses with projecting balconies.

The terrace houses on this road have a character of their own, with wooden swing doors, louvred windows with bars, fanciful mouldings of rosettes on the walls, balconies with fluted balustrades and tiled roofs. They ooze old world charm and are a sight to behold.

Many of the clan associations set up their headquarters in this area. They all have an average history of 70 years and the youngest clan association is probably the Gan Clan Association formed about 20 years ago. The oldest associations were set up in the early 1920s. Some of the clan houses have changed with the times and have been given a facelift. An example is the Kwong Siew Woo Clan Friendly Association.


Whatever - a new age cafe, bookstore and healing centre
- located along Keong Saik Road


Ornate balconies of the shophouses along Bukit Pasoh

[RafflesCity]

One of the many clans located along Bukit Pasoh


Along Bukit Pasoh Road, the Ee Hoe Lean Club is a major landmark. Built in 1927 and founded by two prominent local Chinese, Gan Eng Seng and Lee Cheng Yan, it is an art deco building designed by Swan & Maclaren. This is Singapore's oldest millionaire's clubs and a club of historic significance. Before World War II, it was the focal point of Chinaoriented political movements among the local Chinese. After the war, power shifted to the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and today the club's activities are mainly community service and works of charity.

Besides clan associations, advertising and design agencies, architectural firms, production studios, spas, art galleries, and even an old tea house have also found their way to this area.

A part of us
The blend of the new and the old, the marrying of eastern and western elements, the eclectic mix of shops and uses. All these help to add character and soul to our city.

Conservation has facilitated this. Our conservation efforts have ensured that these shophouses are saved from destruction. These heritage buildings are not relics of the past. Adaptive re-use has enabled these old buildings to have a new life in a new era. Once decrepit shophouses, some have evolved into hip establishments and trophy homes, prized for their rarity, histority and beauty. They give Singaporeans something to enjoy and stories to tell.


The millionaire Ee Hoe Lean Club

[hyacinthus]

[hyacinthus]

High Ceiling

[hyacinthus]

Three's a Crowd!


A school or an association or a modern touristry shop?

[hyacinthus]

Am I pretty?

[hyacinthus]

Small Attic Window?

[hyacinthus]

Bicycle outside Shophouses

[hyacinthus]

Windows and Doors

[redstone]

Amazing pics!!!!

Now this kind of pics need more international exposure...

[RafflesCity]

Some of the best shophouse pics I have seen so far, then again...the location and the shophouses themselves (huge variety) make for a killer setting

[SEAfan]

What an utterly charming series of Shophouse shots, Hyacinthus!

Thanks a whole lot ... they really are delightful.

And I'll never get over the HUGE variety, it just boggles the mind.

[hyacinthus]

Thanks! Glad the pictures were delightful.

They were all taken during lunch...

[RafflesCity]

Originally Posted by SEAfan

And I'll never get over the HUGE variety, it just boggles the mind.

I can't get over it too!

[redstone]

It's something rather unique that the average Joe overlooks.

[hyacinthus]

[redstone]

Haha! Double doors.

[hyacinthus]

cos the front door is decorative and is not secured.

[RafflesCity]

Originally Posted by RafflesCity

I can't get over it too!

Had to go back for more pics.

Bukit Pasoh again.