This two-storey bungalow with a turret is prominently located at the junction of Gilstead Road and Evelyn Road in the established residential neighbourhood of Bukit Timah.
The Building
Archival plans show that it was built for Mrs Florence Boudewyn in the early 1920s. The bungalow was once part of a pair, however, the other has been redeveloped into high-rise apartments next door.
It is designed in the style of Edwardian Baroque which was popular until the arrival of the Art Deco and Modern Movement in the 1930s to Singapore. Due to rapid redevelopment, very few of such bungalows remain. Of the type commonly known as ‘House with Turret’, a grander example would be the Golden Bell at Pender Road on the Southern Ridges.
Whilst the residence is simple in form, the eye is naturally drawn to the turret that highlights the building’s asymmetrical layout. The cylindrical tower with decorative dentils and relief mouldings is topped with a conical roof with fish-scale clay tiles. The ground floor has graceful semi-circular arched openings with key-stones and the judicious application of moulded plaster panels, cornices and other detailing complete the refined appearance of the building. This look is complemented with other period elements on the interior, such as the multicoloured Staffordshire tile flooring- a material widely used during that period. Still gracing the entrance to the compound are the original gate posts that were shifted to accommodate a wider driveway.
The Legacy
While there are no known historical figures or events linked to the building, it has become a familiar landmark for residents and passers-by due to its prominence and unique design. It stands in contrast to the towering skyscrapers in the neighbourhood and is a reminder of a past era when the district was well known for its bungalows and spacious, wooded landscaping.
Additionally, it has been recognised with a 2009 URA Architectural Heritage Award for its successful restoration for use as a place for supplementary activities of the neighbouring Life Bible-Presbyterian Church.
Gazetted on 19 May 2003 for conservation
(Click on the above image to view the map in PDF format)
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