Conserved Building
203 Sims Avenue
Applicable Guidelines
Secondary Settlement Guidelines
Conservation Area
Geylang Conservation Area
Historic address: 203 Sims Avenue
The History
Sims Avenue was opened in early 1924 to relieve traffic congestion along the parallel Geylang Road which was the earliest trunk road between the city and the eastern part of Singapore. The new thoroughfare was named after the esteemed Chinese businessman Sim Kia Jan, managing director of Chin Huat Tin Ore Trading Company and a member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. With economic expansion and population growth into the post-war years, the land along Sims Avenue was gradually urbanized to serve a variety of functions from residences to shops and workshops.
The Building
The street block at 183 to 205 (odd) Sims Avenue comprises 12 pre-war buildings of two distinctive styles. Nos 183 to 195, originally built for residential use in 1930 in ‘Late’ shophouse style, feature elaborate glazed tiles, carved timber transoms, timber-louvered windows and beautiful plaster mouldings on the façade. The remaining 5 units, built in 1936 in ‘Art Deco’ style, have simpler, streamlined geometric ornaments and metal windows.
The Legacy
These low-rise, relatively intact buildings flank the lower stretch of Sims Avenue and frame the access from the city into the larger Geylang area. Together with the recently gazetted 121 to 145 (odd) Sims Avenue, they add to the critical mass of conserved properties in Geylang to strengthen the area’s historic character.
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.
For conserved shophouses with proposed rear extensions in Geylang Conservation Area, the new extensions are subject to the Geylang Urban Design Guidelines.
Apply for Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG) (opens in new tab)
Explore Street View
The building can be found at this street.