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Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
Conserved Building

Villa Haji Kahar

Applicable Guidelines

Bungalow Guidelines

Conservation Area

Villa Haji Kahar Conservation Area

Historic address: 1 Bedok Avenue

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The History

Villa Haji Kahar, a 2-storey bungalow sitting on a sprawling 5800sqm site was built in the 1920s by Haji Kahar Abdul Ghani, a prosperous businessman. 

Dubbed the "Raja" of Bedok, he was one of the largest landowners in the area. In the past, his grand residence stood out as a venue for social interaction by the local Malay community of Kampong Bedok.

The property was acquired after the Second World War by Dr. Lee Choo Neo, the first female doctor in Singapore and aunt to Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Under the new owner, the Villa continued to be renowned for social gatherings, operas, and other post-regatta entertainment.

When the property was transacted in 2025, the Villa was found to be remarkably intact and well maintained by Dr. Lee’s descendants.

The Building

Villa Haji Kahar is a rare example of a "Compound House" with a unique synthesis between traditional and imported architectural styles. It follows the traditional rumah limas typology with its timber upper storey raised above ground level on piers, while featuring Western ornamentation such as coloured Muranese-patterned glass, plaster festoons, and encaustic tiles.

The plan of the house is longitudinally symmetrical with a pair of elegant staircases. The upper raised floor is the main space of the house (rumah ibu) and influenced by the layout of a vernacular Malay house, where the entrance staircases lead into the main guest reception area (anjung).

The Villa showcases a unique architectural fusion recounting Singapore's early history as a melting pot of cultures.

The Legacy

This unique Villa will be integrated with new landed housing to be developed on this site, and the main façade of the Villa will remain unobstructed from Bedok where passers-by can continue to appreciate the last surviving marker of Kampong Bedok.

Gallery

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Villa Haji Kahar, today.

Guidelines and Procedures

All proposed works will need to comply with the Conservation Guidelines and the Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG). Conservation Permission is required before all additions & alteration works and operations of new use can begin.

Residential Fronts are characterised by timber casement windows flanking a double-leafed timber door. All buildings with residential front which is existing and/or identified in the 'Specific Restoration Guidelines', regardless of land use zoning, shall be retained and restored.

Explore Street View

The building can be found at this street.