Times of Singapura

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

First Floor Prewar Shophouse fronts located along Kreta Ayer Road ( Water Cart Road). A mix of the old and new ( more new) use of the Prewar shophouses in China Town Singapore

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Heritage Prewar Shophouse

A 2 floor & 3 floor prewar shophouse on the junction of Craig Road & Tanjong Pagar Road

More shophouses along Tanjong Pagar Road

French Windows of a Prewar shophouse along Craig Road

A row of 3 prewar shophouse with front courtyards along Craig Road

Heritage Prewar Shophouse

Uniquely constructed 1st floors of prewar houses along Sam Leong Road. Unfortunately, the signages have blocked part of the beauty of the buildings

Beautifully decorated & painted facades ( 1st floors) of prewar shophouses along Sam Leong Road. Note the balconys - great to have a cuppa coffee lounging on the balcony and watching the world passing by below...