Few neighbourhoods in Singapore evoke as much nostalgia and charm as Tiong Bahru. Walking through its curved white buildings, quiet back lanes, colourful murals and bustling cafes feels like stepping into a different era. Yet just beyond the conserved blocks stand modern high-rise apartments, creating a fascinating blend of old and new Singapore.
Tiong Bahru is widely regarded as Singapore’s oldest public housing estate. Development began in the 1930s under the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT), the predecessor of HDB. The first blocks were completed in 1936 as part of Singapore’s earliest large-scale public housing project. By 1941, the estate contained 784 flats, 54 tenements and 33 shops, housing around 6,000 residents.
One of the estate’s most iconic landmarks is the famous Horseshoe Block at 78 Moh Guan Terrace. Built between 1939 and 1940, this distinctive curved building remains the only horseshoe-shaped public housing block in Singapore. It was also among the earliest blocks to include an air-raid shelter before World War II.
The rounded balconies, curved corners, porthole windows and streamlined facades seen throughout the estate reflect the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architectural styles popular during the 1930s. Many locals affectionately called these buildings “aeroplane flats” because their sleek curves resembled the design of aircraft.
Today, many of these conserved SIT flats are approaching 80 to 90 years old. Most were built between 1936 and 1954, making them some of Singapore’s oldest surviving public housing blocks. Despite their age and ageing leases, demand remains surprisingly strong. Some units have even crossed the million-dollar mark in recent years.
Why are buyers still willing to pay such high prices?
The answer lies in a unique combination of factors. First is the unbeatable location, just minutes from the city centre. Second is the rarity of the flats, with spacious layouts, high ceilings, large windows and distinctive architecture that cannot be replicated today. Third is the lifestyle. Tiong Bahru has transformed into one of Singapore’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, where traditional coffee shops and wet markets sit alongside trendy cafes, bakeries, bookstores, florists and boutique stores.
A stroll around the estate reveals this contrast beautifully. Elderly residents gather at kopitiams for morning coffee, while young professionals queue outside artisanal bakeries. Traditional hawker favourites at Tiong Bahru Market continue to attract long queues, while stylish cafes and plant-filled florists breathe new life into the conserved shophouses nearby. The result is a neighbourhood that feels both timeless and contemporary.
More than just a housing estate, Tiong Bahru is a living museum of Singapore’s housing history. Its charming Art Deco flats, rich heritage, vibrant food scene and thriving community continue to make it one of the country’s most beloved neighbourhoods — a place where the memories of old Singapore coexist harmoniously with modern urban life.
Address: Tiong Bahru Estate, Bukit Merah, Singapore 160000–169000 area.
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru Station (East-West Line)
