Conserved Building
412 Balestier Road
Applicable Guidelines
Secondary Settlement Guidelines
Conservation Area
Balestier Conservation Area
Historic address: 412 Balestier Road
About
This row of shophouses was also developed by Madam Sim Cheng Neo and designed and built by architect Kwan Yow Luen in 1928. This row of buildings can be seen in parts of the films of P. Ramlee.
The History
The corner shophouse at No. 412 features Sikh figures as its door guards, a nod to the role Sikh men commonly played as policemen in colonial times. The figurines of buffalos anchoring the pediment and the plaster flags of the then-new Republic of China reflect the sympathies of the building owner, while the other moulded figures along the façade are said to depict episodes from the life of Dr Sun Yat Sen.
The Building
The buildings feature a distinct blend of East and West — the European-inspired style is matched with moulded figures of Asian symbolism such as bats, which are auspicious to the Chinese. Instead of the Chinese warriors typically depicted on doors of Chinese homes as symbolic guardians, the corner shophouse at No. 412 has Sikh figures as its door guards. No. 412 is also a fine example of how building corners are given special architectural treatment in response to the geometry of the road, serving as a landmark for the area.
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.
Gallery
Explore Street View
The building can be found at this street.