Singapura - the Malay name for present Singapore. It was believed to have derived from a sanskrit word, meaning "Lion City". During the Srivijaya Empire in the 7th Century, a Prince from Pelambang,Sang Nila Utama saw a "lion' in the island of Singapore - hence he named the place, Singapura. It could have been a tiger that he saw. Singapore is still signed as Singapura by the Malayan Railways ( Keretapi Tana Melaya )when visitors arrive into Singapore via the KTM Railway Station in Tanjong Pagar
Monday, November 1, 2010
Prewar Terrace Houses 2.5 to 3 storeys around Everton Road area, Singapore
Examples of Prewar Terrace Houses ( Shophouses ) - Some possibly had 2.5 storeys ie attic like floor with smaller windows for ventilation and light ; compared with "full" floor with french windows- unfortunately I have not had a chance to visit the interiors to view the configuration.
Prewar Terrace Houses (shophouse) in Blair Road
Prewar Terraced houses for residential use in Blair Road. These houses were considered as linear linked houses based on British terraced houses designs - the living spaces in the front and the top floor of the house, with the kitchen and toilets at the back. Prewar versions had inner courtyards or airwells, front yards and rear yards or both. Later developements had the front yard lengthened for a parked vehicle, otherwise it was a small garden.
As many of these houses have been adapted for commercial usage, they were loosely termed Prewar shophouses in certain areas. Prewar shophouses had the ground floor for business activities whereas the upper floors were residential and/or offices; should there be three floors.
1960's Red Light / Concubine District - Prewar Shophouses Keong Saik Road, Singapore
Keong Saik Road was officially named after a prominent chinese in Singapore, Tan Keong Saik in 1926. Educated in an English school in Penang, Keong Saik was once a Municipal Commissioner during British Malaya in Singapore and was the director of both the Tanjong Pagar Dock Ltd and the Straits Steamship Co Ltd. He was also active in the Chinese Community, being a member of the Chinese Advisory Board, with a strong interest in educating Chinese Women.
Irony was, Keong Saik road was famous for its brothels in the 1960's and the shophouses were also reputed to house mistresses/concubines for rich merchants
Pictures above showing the restored shophouses along the road, with pastel colours painted facades.
Prewar Shophouse, Chinatown Singapore
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Heritage Prewar Shophouse
Monday, August 23, 2010
Heritage Prewar Shophouse
Heritage Prewar House
Fullerton Building - Fullerton Hotel, Singapore
The Fullerton Building was named after Robert Fullerton, first Governor of the Straits Settlement from 1826-1829. The building was designed by Major P H Keys of Keys & Dowdeswell, a Shanghai firm of architects ( Dowdeswell was the chief assistant architect to Keys).
Construction of the building began in February 1924 and was completed in June 1928. The successful tenders and contractors for the project was Perry & Co. Overseas Ltd London.
I have decided to post the picture of the stone on the building's pillar, which was inscribed with the building's architect, contractor & the date of completion because funnily enough, I have passed by the same location so many times, but did not noticed it until now - an interesting observation whilst waiting for the bus...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Heritage Prewar Shophouses
Prewar Shophouses
Prewar shop houses were built during British Malaya ie 19th to early 20th century, according to colonial guidelines that differentiate them from other shop houses in
The colonial guidelines (laid down by Raffles Ordinances 1822) stipulated that they were to be built with stone and with a tiled roof ( to reduce chances of fire), to be located on a grid with the road system ( right angles to the road) and to be built with a covered walkway along the road frontage, measuring 5 foot from road to the front of the house ( 5 foot way ). In addition to the guidelines, shop houses were constructed to ease the discomfort of the tropical climate. They had courtyards and/or air wells to provide natural ventilation and to admit natural daylight, timber planked floors to allow air to flow through the gaps as well as high ceilings. As the property was taxed according to the width of the house frontage, the shop fronts were narrow, but the length of the house would stretch to more than 100 ft back.
During the second decade of the 20th Century,