Tiong Bahru HDB Flats Past and Present

I was down at HDB Toa Payoh to purchase some floor plans and thought I might as well pop into their "almost unknown" museum to find out more about public housing in Singapore.

Actually I was there with only 1 objective - To snap the old Tiong Bahru SIT flats pictures.

In order to see the contrast, I walked over to the front of Block 28 Tiong Bahru Road to snap a picture today. (Sorry I did not get the angle right)

The post office featured in the old picture still exist in the same spot. Also, the 2nd storey windows and grills are still the same! The original layout of these flats does not come with any external windows. You can see the old picture's 3rd storey, there aren't any windows at that time.

Based on what I had gathered from some old timers in Tiong Bahru, the flats here were originally rented out and when HDB took over the estate in 1973, they probably also started Singapore's 1st Interim Upgrading Project by adding on external windows and upgrading the sewage pipes. (So in short, the windows were added on only in 1973.)They were sold to the residents for about $20k. Back then it was considered hefty as my parents bought their Holland 3rm flat for about $7k only!

Today, the price is still as hefty as ever as this place continues to be highly sought after.

What I feel sad about and at times even angry is that I'm constantly being asked if there are En-Bloc possibilities for these OLD flats. Why are SOME people so determind to see this place go? I was asked this question this morning by a delivery man. Just last night, someone called to enquired about Tiong Bahru and the reason why he wants to buy is based on a rumour that this place will go under the wreaking ball soon.

I guess this place will always be under threat from urban renewal due to its prime location.

Some years ago, this beautiful SIT flat was knocked down to make way for WHO KNOWS WHAT. Perhaps it was left vacant to erase the memories before starting to build something on a clean slate.

INCREASE IN CPF MINIMUM SUM

News Release by:
Central Provident Fund Board
07 June 2007


CPF Minimum Sum
From 1 July 07, the CPF Minimum Sum (MS) will be increased from $94,600 to $99,600. The new amount will apply to CPF members who turn 55 between 1 July 07 and 30 June 08. CPF members who set aside the $99,600 fully in cash will receive a monthly payout of $790 from age 62 for about 20 years.

This increase is in line with the announcements made in August 03 that the CPF MS will be raised gradually to reach $120,000 (in 2003 dollars) in 2013. The increase in MS, which includes an adjustment for inflation, is to ensure that Singaporeans set aside sufficient savings for their retirement.

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES
For more information, please visit http://www.cpf.gov.sg/ or call the CPF Call Centre at 1800-227 1188.

这墙里有故事

报道：杨漾　摄影：袁承锋（联合学生摄影队）

大部分的同学对组屋都很熟悉吧？现在的组屋，不但越建越高，环境设施也比以前进步好多。那阿公阿嬷那个年代住的组屋，同学们又了解多少呢？今天，就跟着大拇指去走走看看，认识本地最早的组屋。

孔思敏姐姐（23岁）从小就在中峇鲁生活、成长，她和家人在那一带住了将近20年。虽然现在思敏姐姐已经搬离了那里，但是她仍忘不了中峇鲁的旧式组屋和杂货店。而用思敏姐姐自己的话说，“中峇鲁有着悠久的历史，如果墙可以说话，它们一定有很多故事可以和我们分享。”　　同学们，若你经过中峇鲁一带，一定也会对那里的屋子留下深刻的印象。　　这些组屋不像现在修建的组屋那般高，大多数只有三、四层楼，而且还属于战前的旧式住房。大拇指仔细算了一下，这些组屋大概有将近70年的历史了呢！

每栋都有螺旋梯　　
放眼望去，组屋的设计很有规律，每一栋楼都有统一的橙色外观和螺旋梯（Spiral staircase）。旋转梯级非常狭隘，上楼下楼要十分小心，不然肯定会滚下楼梯。而且，这些组屋都集中在一处，形成了一个很有特色的小区，不但环境幽静，在附近高楼的衬托下，更显得古色古香。　　

大拇指在这一带游走时，碰到陈永顺老伯伯（58岁），他表示这一带的组屋已经有很久的历史了，而且在英国殖民地期间就修建好了。陈伯伯透露，其实有好些组屋还设有防空壕呢！果真很有战前殖民地时期的色彩。陈伯伯说：“防空壕以前是为打仗时准备的，现在就租出去给别人当仓库用了。”

组屋里的“飞机楼”　　
更有趣的是，陈伯伯还告诉大拇指，附近还有“飞机楼”！但到底什么是“飞机楼”，陈伯伯自己也说不上来，他只知道，“飞机楼”是因为四周有组屋围绕停车场而得名，而且这个形容词在老一辈那里流传了很久了。　　大拇指有了这个“线索”后，不停地一路找一路问，问了好几个住在附近的伯伯阿姨，竟然没有人知道这“飞机楼”在哪里。后来，大拇指来到一片周围有组屋围绕的停车场，看了很久，最后认为这里也许就是陈伯伯口中的“飞机楼”了。

旧组屋改装成酒店　　
中峇鲁路第53座和54座组屋的组屋最近披上新装，摇身变成经济型酒店。这两座四层楼高的组屋，原本共有78间三、四房式单位。　　酒店取名为华星酒店，目前已改装了150间客房。完成改建后，酒店就会有288间客房，并设有商业中心、居家办公单位、餐馆和商店等。酒店预计今年就能正式营业。

中峇鲁组屋经历过战火　　
中峇鲁发展于1936年，这批住屋是在上个世纪30年代由改良信托局根据当时英国新镇模式建造。虽然屋子经历了战火，仍然完整地保存下来。1965年后，政府把单位卖给原住户，让他们拥有自己的房子。　　

2003年，政府宣布中峇鲁为保留区，富有殖民地色彩的组屋区，永久地成为了我们历史遗产的一部分。

中峇鲁组屋改头换面变酒店

Click on image above for enlarged version

Hip Replacement

The Sunday Times (Life!)
March 24, 2007

Hip replacement
By Tay Suan Chiang

IT MAY have had a $50,000 makeover to give its interior the sleek lines of contemporary living, but this 60-year-old flat at Tiong Bahru has retained its heart - in more ways than one.

Some original touches have been kept, such as the cabinet doors in the kitchen, which were sanded down and repainted.

There's also an original built-in mosaic window seat that runs along the length of the living room. The owners and friends enjoy watching the bustle of trendy Tiong Bahru from it.

The owners, a young working couple who declined to be named, faced quite a challenge when they bought the flat.

It wasn't fit to be lived in, they recall of the 925 sq ft flat bought 11/2 years ago

Indeed, the four flights of stairs leading up to it still look every one of their six decades in age.

But step inside, and shabby becomes chic.

While the facade is old, the owners, who moved in last month, said: 'We decided that retro wasn't us and we wouldn't be able to live with it in the long run.'

Major work had to be done, the first of which was the flooring. The flat's old tiles were removed and in their place is cement flooring. As well as giving an edgy, urban vibe, the owners say it is more affordable and easy to maintain.

Small but cosy

The flat also had two bedrooms at the front that have been converted into a bigger living area. A third bedroom nearer the entrance of the flat is now the couple's bedroom.

While the pair love the flat's convenient location, they say there is a downside to living there.

'Space is a real challenge; it is just right for two of us and our small dog,' he says.

So when it comes to buying items for the home, they have to think twice. 'Everything must be small and compact.'


SPACED OUT: To enlarge the living and dining areas, two bedrooms at the front of the house were knocked down. -- LIM WUI LIANG





DOUBLE DUTY: The home owners opted for a horizontal commercial fridge which could also act as a counter top. -- LIM WUI LIANG







AS GOOD AS NEW: An old-style calendar hangs from a restored door of a kitchen cabinet. -- LIM WUI LIANG






TREASURE: A mosaic-tiled seat by the living room window was retained in its original condition, offering visitors a bird's eye view of Tiong Bahru. -- LIM WUI LIANG



JUNK FIND: The grilles with heart-shaped patterns were taken from the home owner's former neighbour in Braddell who had thrown it out during his renovation works. -- LIM WUI LIANG








CLEAN LOOK: White is the predominant colour scheme in the house. -- LIM WUI LIANG

中峇鲁是公屋史重要起步

Click on the article for the enlarged version

How old are the Tiong Bahru Properties

The lease of most Tiong Bahru Pre-War Conserved flats start between 1st Jan 1965 to 1967.
(The Singapore Government started selling the units to the individual owners from 1965 onward)

As at 1st January 2005, the lease remaining for this area is less than 60 years.

Do take note of how this will impact your CPF withdrawal limits and your bank loans when making an offer for these properties.

YOUR AGE WILL ALSO DETERMINED THE CPF WITHDRAWAL LIMITS.

The lease for the HDB side starts from 1st Jan 1973.

The rule will affect those who will be using bank loans to finance their purchase from 1st Jan 2013 onwards.

Those who are eligible for the HDB loans are not affected by this ruling.