Places in Queenstown that will take you back in time

Queenstown wasn't always the go-to place for affordable shopping – they hold a special place in the hearts of many Singaporeans

Places in Queenstown that will take you back in time

Queenstown is one of Singapore's oldest neighbourhoods, with buildings dated all the way back to the 1930s! Several historical events have been hosted around the neighbourhood and the flats are known to many as the very first HDB in Singapore.

Today, Queenstown remain as one of the top spots celebrating Singapore's history. It's also a shopping and bargaining hub for fellow Singaporeans. Here's our pick of 7 places in Queenstown that holds so much history, you might actually feel like you're travelling back in time!

The First Curved Block

Block 168A Queensway is the first curved-shape block constructed by HDB and inaugurated by then Member-of-Parliament for Alexandra Constituency, Dr Wong Lin Ken in 1973. The unique design of the HDB has the resemblance of a butterfly, which then resulted in residents calling it the "Butterfly Block."

The block was designed with the intention of reducing the uniformity in public housing and provide more aesthetically pleasing design features to cater to the different tastes and preferences. The building of this block was what resulted in the classic designs of HDB flats we see today.

Location: Block 168A Queensway, Singapore 140168

Queenstown Public Library

The Queenstown Public Library was the first full-time branch in Singapore. It officially opened in 1970 by Mr Lee Kuan Yew. It has a unique design with a "bow-tie" motif along the parapets and also has a pre-assembled sun-shading block on its concrete frame.

The library became a form of sanctuary for patrons from all over Queenstown and neighbouring estates. By 2003, air-conditioning and elevators were installed. There was even a cafeteria. Despite all the renovations during the former years, the library still managed to retain its original architecture.

Location: 53 Margaret Drive, Singapore 149297

Queensway Shopping Centre

Queensway Shopping Centre opened its doors in 1975 and provided a form of shopping convenience for the residents because back then, up-market purchases were only available in town areas such as Orchard Road and Chinatown.

It offered a large variety of goods such as shoes, sporting gear, musical instruments, cosmetics and F&B. They were also much more cheaper as compared to the prices in the town areas. Currently, Queensway Shopping Centre still remains a hit for bargain shoppers around Singapore.

Location: 1 Queensway, Singapore 149053

Queenstown Sports Complex

Queenstown Sports Complex is Singapore’s first neighbourhood sports complex and was officially opened on 15 August 1970 by Lim Kim San, then Minister for Education. It has 400-metre 8-lane bitumen running track, a football field, a seating capacity for 3,000 spectators, four swimming pools and a 50-metre olympic-size pool!

The stadium was a prime location for national day parades in the 1970s and 1980s. It also hosted the Singapore Armed Forces’ first Colours Parade in 1973 where 3,000 soldiers took part in a 10-kilometre route march from Jalan Besar to Queenstown Sports Complex.

Location: 473A Stirling Road, Singapore 148949

Tiong Ghee Temple

Tiong Ghee Temple was built in 1973 and currently stands as Queenstown’s oldest Taoist temple. It was built to replace the former temple which was demolished in 1968 for the development of Mei Ling estate.

The temple is traditionally designed with a gabled roof and a sweeping curvature topped with a ridge of tiles and ceramic figurines. A meticulously carved pair of dragon figurines and lion statues sits at the entrance of the Temple.

Today, the Temple remains a gathering point for former villagers.

Location: 1085 Stirling Road, Singapore 148953

Princess House

Princess House was opened in 1957 as a multi-purpose office building which housed the Social Welfare and Licensing departments in the western wing and offices that were rented to the public in the eastern wing. It is also the designated offices for the Housing Development Board (HDB) and Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT).

As it was built in 1957, it followed the 1950s modern architecture concept. Foreign figures such as Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh; Princess Margaret; Edward Health, then Prime Minister of Australia, visited the viewing deck that was located on the roof during their visit ages ago to learn more about Singapore's housing programme.

As the Ministry of Environment vacated the premise in 1989, Princess House now serves as one of the lasting reminders of Queenstown’s history.

Location: 332 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159945

The First HDB Blocks & HDB Terraces

These terraces and blocks were built in the 1950s and 1960 respectively. Up till the 1950s, Queenstown was an agricultural area, where villages depended on cultivation and poultry to survive. There was also the baby boom surge which pushed for the development of public housing in Queenstown.

Construction started in 1953 by SIT and in 1960, HDB took over while still sticking to SIT's neighbourhood concept of having one community centre, shopping area and market. These flats helped increase employment within the residents.

Currently, these blocks serve as home to rental residents in Queenstown.

Location: 156B Stirling Road, Singapore 148947

(Image credits: queenstown.org.sg)

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Written by

Aisyah Amin

Shopping in Singaporequeenstownlocal sights