Conserved Building

153 Neil Road

Applicable Guidelines

Residential Historic District Guidelines

Conservation Area

Blair Plain Conservation Area

Historic address: 153 Neil Road

The History

Neil Road was formerly known as Salat (Silat or Selat) Road, "selat" being the Malay term for straits. In 1858, the name of the road was changed by the Municipal Commissioners to honour Brigadier General James Neill, a hero of the 1857 Indian Mutiny.

The Legacy

Prior to the restoration of this pre-war terrace house, its façade had been modified and stripped of all original ornamentation. Its missing forecourt walls had to be reconstructed, while calligraphic panels in traditional Chinese script above the second-storey windows were reinstated. Overall, the restoration has helped to stitch back the historic streetscape of Neil Road and return the house to an appearance befitting its status as a home intended for a wealthy merchant.

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.