Black & White Houses
Black & White Houses: Neighbourhood Strolls
Singapore’s colonial history spans nearly 150 years. Beginning in January 1819 with the arrival of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles and William Farquhar to set up a trading post on behalf of the British East India Company, and culminating in the events of September 1963 when Singapore joined Malaysia.
The vestiges of this era can be seen in much of our architecture, including colonial bungalows and mansions, known as black & white houses.
Step back into a more gracious era as we stroll through these lovely neighbourhoods set in green and tranquil oases. Learn about their history, architecture, and role in Singapore’s heritage. Plus, discover the stories of who lived in them, why they were built, and how they are being used today both as residences and commercial establishments.
For information and to book a tour, please click on the walking tour you are interested in below.
Black & White Houses Neighbourhood Stroll: Alexandra Park Estate
As you stroll through quiet Alexandra Park, imagine a simpler time. The black & white houses in the estate were built for British officers from Alexandra and Gillman Barracks, as well as medical personnel employed in the nearby Alexandra Military Hospital. This tour delves into architectural features of these iconic houses, their history, and the lifestyle of the people who lived here in the past.
This estate features four different types of black & white houses. Most of the homes were built in the 1930s, some in tropical Art Deco style, with its streamlined appearance and flat roofs. Some of the houses here are special in that due to the hilly terrain, they were built on pillars of varying heights.
Note: We shall be viewing everything from outside.
Highlights
- Join your guide 15 mins before the tour starts
- Meet at Hort Park, 33 Hyderabad Road
- Art Deco-style Old Institute of Dental Health Building
- B&Ws on stilts
- Canterbury/Wincester /Russel/ York Roads
- Plantation House
- ends back at Hort Park
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Black & White Houses Neighbourhood Stroll: Keppel Harbour
This 2 hour walking tour offers the unique experience to see inside some of the Pender Road Black and White Houses.
From the middle of the 19th century ‘New Harbour’ was developed along the Singapore Straits, and soon many companies moved to the area. Houses were built to home their employees and the oldest corporate estate in Singapore was established on the foothills of Mount Faber in 1908.
During this tour you will learn about the history and development of Keppel Harbour, as well as hear stories about the people that worked and lived here. From the seat of a 19th century wealthy Malay ruler, full of pirates and sea kampongs, the area developed into a modern port with shipyards and industry. Scattered around the bay and on the foothills of Mount Faber we will see colonial houses that escaped the development of Singapore. Highlight of the tour will be an up-close look at the Pender Road colonial estate, a small cluster of Black and White Houses built by the Telegraph company, which was the first corporate estate in Singapore built between 1908 and 1919.
Highlights
- Meet your guide at Labrador Park MRT Station
- Berlayer Creek
- Bukit Chermin Boardwalk and House nr 30 Bukit Chermin Road
- Reflections Condominium and the history of Mirror Bay
- Keppel Hill House
- Black and White Houses of Pender Road
- This tour ends at Pender Road where you can enjoy a cup of tea or cold drink at the veranda of one of its houses.
For the adventurous amongst you we can extend the tour to 3 hours and venture into the jungle to see an old bunker, the old overgrown Keppel Hill reservoir/ swimming pool and the Japanese Tomb as well as the colonial houses of Seah Im Road.
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Black & White Houses Neighbourhood Stroll: Adam Park Estate
The discovery tour of Adam Park Estate is a 2 hour morning walk.
Step back into a simpler, more gracious time when you visit the quiet Adam Park estate where black & white houses were built for the British civil service and members of the military.
In 1942, British defenders fought the last battle for Singapore before the Japanese occupation of Adam Park. This tour not only introduces you to the charming architectural features of black & white house, but also explains the war years.
Time permitting, we will walk to Adam Drive, the site of the Sime Road WW2 POW camp.
Note: We shall be viewing everything from the outside.
Highlights
- Join your guide 15 mins before the tour starts
- Meet at 31 Adam Road (SPC Petrol Station)
- B&W house with WWII POW calendar
- Adam Road Marker
- HQ of British Regiment
- B&W house used as a modest chapel
- Largest house on top of the hill
- End at 31 Adam Road (SPC Petrol Station)
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Black & White Houses Neighbourhood Stroll: Goodwood Hill Estate
Goodwood Hill’s serenity belies its location just steps from busy Scotts Road. Hidden amidst the lush greenery are some of the first and finest black & white houses built initially by the colonial government for the judiciary.
In the early 1900s the Public Works Department, responsible for building the island’s infrastructure, built the first black & white house in the estate. These gorgeous homes were built for top civil servants in the British administration, primarily the judicial branch, to entice them to come live and work in Singapore.
Note: We shall be viewing everything from the outside.
Highlights
- Join your guide 15 mins before the tour starts
- Mornings meet at Goodwood Park Hotel
(Evening’s start at 1 Goodwood Hill, 258896) - Teutonia Club history
- Scotts Road B&Ws
- Goodwood Hill B&Ws
- End at Goodwood Park Hotel