21 Admiralty Road West

Former Royal Malayan Naval Base Administrative Block

About

The former Royal Malayan Naval (RMN) Base, later known as “Kapal di-Raja (KD) Malaya”, used to operate next to the British Royal Naval Base in Woodlands. The site has been planned for a future residential estate since 1998 to offer Singaporeans more housing options in the North region, so future residents will be able to tap on available job opportunities in Woodlands Regional Centre. The larger area has progressively been developed over the years, with amenities such as Woodlands Waterfront Park and the Republic Polytechnic to support residents’ recreational and learning needs.

The History

The North region of Singapore was used as naval base since colonial times, covering a large area, from the depots in Woodlands to the dockyards in Sembawang. Before the formation of the Royal Malayan Navy Base, locals from Singapore and Malaya were recruited to form the full-time “Malay Navy” in 1934. Completed in 1953, the Admin Block represents 70 years of history of the area as a naval base with ties to the Commonwealth and to both Singapore and Malaysia. ​

Within the wider Defence narrative, it reflected the urgent need in the post-World War Two era for Malaya to build up its own defences. The Admin Block also represents our local population’s contribution to our naval defence and is an important part of Singapore’s history. ​

The Building

The 3-storey symmetrical Admin Block about 60m long, consists of a central tower and on both sides, 2-storey wings about 27m each with open corridors that served as a viewing gallery to the parade square. The Art Deco Style architecture includes simple rectangular columns, rounded concrete canopies and rectangular timber vents. In 1954, a parade square, rubble stone retaining wall and twin staircase were completed, capitalizing on the terrain and view of the area and provide a distinct foreground which accentuates the grandeur of the 3-storey building. This was where parades and ceremonies were carried out.

The Legacy

With the future public housing parcels surrounding the site, the Admin Block is planned as part of an integrated development to provide amenities and revitalize 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.

• Any proposed additions and alterations to this conserved building are subject to evaluation. Please submit your proposal for URA's review.

• Apply for Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG) ↗ (opens in new tab)

• Submission Process for Works

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