Skip to main content
A Singapore Government Agency Website How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Government agencies communicate via .gov.sg websites (e.g. go.gov.sg/open). Trusted websites
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Welcome to our refreshed website!

We've updated the site to make information easier to access and navigate. While some content may have been reorganised, you can browse our updated sections to find what you need.

Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
Circulars

Strata Subdivision of Selected Conservation Buildings within the Historic Districts

Tags

Conservation

6 December 2004

Circular No : URA/PB/2004/37-CUDD
Our Ref : DC/ADMIN/CIRCULAR/PB_04
Date : 6 Dec 2004

CIRCULAR TO PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

STRATA SUBDIVISION OF SELECTED CONSERVATION BUILDINGS WITHIN THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS

Objective of Guideline
This guideline allows owners to strata subdivide selected conservation buildings within the Historic Districts which meet the following criteria:

a) Original purpose-built compartmentalised common staircase designed to serve different floors;

b) Staircase forms part of the external architectural expression; and

c) Original reinforced concrete floors and structures.

Effective date
With effect from 6 December 2004

Who should know
Owners, architects, developers, tenants and real estate agents

Background

  1. Strata subdivision is currently not allowed for traditional conservation shophouses within the Historic Districts of Boat Quay, Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India. Most of these historic shophouses were originally built for a single owner and not designed for multiple ownership.

  2. If allowed to strata subdivide, these traditional shophouses would require major alteration works (e.g. introduction of new common staircases/ passages) and other major structural changes to meet the technical requirements for multiple ownership. This would result in major changes to the original features of the shophouses and go against our conservation efforts. Allowing multiple ownership of a single building could also pose further maintenance issues downstream.

  3. There are however some 60 modern conservation buildings in the Historic Districts which were originally designed for multiple owners. URA has carried out a review and is pleased to announce that owners of these buildings would be allowed to strata subdivide if the buildings meet the following criteria:

    a) Original purpose-built compartmentalised common staircase designed to serve different floors;
    b) Staircase forms part of the external architectural expression; and
    c) Original reinforced concrete floors and structures.

  4. To ensure that the building will continue to be properly maintained by the multiple owners, there must be at least three strata units so that a Management Corporation will be formed under the Land Titles (Strata) Act to oversee the maintenance of the building.

  5. We would appreciate it if you could convey the contents of this circular to members of your organisation. Owners could contact us if they need clarifications on whether the guideline would be applicable to their conservation building.

  6. If you or your members have any queries concerning this circular, please do not hesitate to e-mail us at ura_cu@ura.gov.sg. For your information, the past circulars to the professional institutes are available from our website.

  7. Thank you.


LER SENG ANN
DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES)
CONSERVATION & URBAN DESIGN DIVISION
for CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Back to top