skyline : Keeping and Rejuvenating Katong and Joo Chiat


Keeping and Rejuvenating Katong and Joo Chiat
In keeping with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s continuing commitment to protect Singapore’s built heritage, more buildings in nostalgic Katong and Joo Chiat have recently been proposed for conservation. Relive the charms of this sensory and memory-rich area with Skyline!
by Carol Lim

True blue architecture buffs, heritage lovers, ardent foodies, and well-informed Peranakans all know this area well. We are talking about the lovely, delightful district of Katong and Joo Chiat, in the eastern part of Singapore. Renowned and loved for its diverse and interesting mix of architecture, history, culture, activities and established Eurasian and Peranakan communities, the Katong/Joo Chiat area was regarded as an attractive residential suburb as early as the 1920s. The types of homes range from rows of colourful and distinctive shophouses to kampongs, and terrace houses to grand seaside mansions dotted along the coastline. More may be conserved for posterity Recognising the inimitable character and rich heritage of the Katong/Joo Chiat area, URA had already, by 2003, gazetted for conservation some 700 buildings and 15 bungalows located primarily along key roads in the area. As public feedback has been showing greater support for conservation, URA has correspondingly stepped up its reviews for the remaining unprotected buildings in the area. These reviews will evaluate whether more buildings should be conserved to retain the uniqueness and further enhance the character of this district. In September 2007, URA identified another 228 more buildings for conservation. These include shophouses and terrace houses which will add to the critical mass of heritage buildings in the area, and detached buildings and churches which have become familiar local landmarks and identity markers for the community over the decades. URA has approached the building owners for feedback on the conservation proposal and this will be considered together with other factors in the final evaluation of whether the buildings will eventually be conserved. Thumbs-up for keeping history intact Ms Tan Ah Nie, 72, owner of 257 Tembeling Road, beamed at knowing that the spacious shophouse where she has lived since World War II is being considered for conservation. The longest-time resident along her street, she said, “I am used to this area. All my friends are here. Agents are knocking on my door, but I don’t think I will sell my house.” Also expressing his support for the proposal, Mr Patrick Wee, owner of 24 Chapel Road, said, “I am not in for the money, but it’s my interest in conservation. It’s about owning a piece of history and living in it. Conservation is important. Once our heritage is gone, we can’t get it back.”

Stroll along with us to uncover some of the delightful architectural gems among the 228 buildings currently proposed for conservation in the Katong/Joo Chiat area…
	101-113 Everitt Road This row of seven splendid Late-style terraces is almost wholly intact, and the units have been lovingly maintained over the years. They feature rich architectural details, distinctive plaster mouldings and intact forecourt and gate posts, and are excellent manifestations of the rich Peranakan heritage found in the area.
	14-40 Chapel Road These 14 Transitional-style terrace houses feature distinctive verandahs with geometrically designed cross-balustrades. Some of the forecourts with the original gate posts remain. They are familiar markers to the community here, and a pleasant surprise for the visitors discovering the gems in the area.
	169-181 Onan Road These seven rare single-storey terrace houses rest on concrete stilts. They boast triangular pediments and are decorated with plaster mouldings. The original architecture, with its Corinthian columns and moulded parapet are still in place.
	253-271 Tembeling Roadand 1-19 Cheow Keng Road Tembeling Road and Cheow Keng Road comprise two rows of Transitional shophouses built in the later period. These terraces have three French windows on the upper storeys. The street blocks also feature pre-cast concrete vents above the transom panels to aid natural ventilation.
	St. Hilda’s Church, 41 Ceylon Rd Built in 1949 and designed in a simple English parish church style, the single-storey chapel is charming and human in scale. With steep pitched roofs, it features a Victorian-style conical tower at one end. The church is simply adorned and lined with large windows along its length. Simple circular windows featuring stained glass can be found near its main entrance.
	Bethesda (Katong) Church, 17 Pennefather Road Built in the mid-1930s in the style of a humble parish church, this single-storey church has a symmetrical plan and cruciform shape with hipped gable roof. The timberlouvred transom panels are an adaptation to suit the local climate.
	25 Still Road South This bungalow, together with the one on opposite side at 26 Still Road South (which is already gazetted for conservation), was built in the ornamentated Victorian style with a slight Indian influence. When it used to face the sea, it was an excellent example of a grand weekend Katong bungalow from the pre-war years. The villa was converted into the “Grand Hotel” in 1947.