Queenstown Information

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- Tanglin Halt Estate

With the population surging rapidly after the Second World War, Singapore was facing a housing crunch. In 1952, the former Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) kicked off the development plans of Queenstown to tackle the housing shortage issue. Tanglin Halt was one of the five districts within Queenstown that were initially drawn up. The other four being Commonwealth, Duchess Estate, Princess Estate (present-day Dawson & Strathmore) and Queen’s Close. Tanglin Halt derived its name from Tanglin Road, which used to extend all the way to Queensway before the late 1940s. In the past, trains along the KTM railway would ‘halt’ at Archipelago Brewery. This gave rise to the name ‘Tanglin Halt’. At present day, HDB announced the latest SERS project for Tanglin Halt District where 31 residential blocks and 8 commercial blocks scheduled for demolition by 2021.

- Church Of The Blessed Sacrament

The Church Of The Blessed Sacrament is Queenstown’s first Catholic Chirch, which was officially opened on 9 May 1965. Designed by YG Dowsett in the Modern style, the Church’s host striking feature is the dramatically structured state roof, which was constructed in folds in the shape of a tent that symbolized the “tent of meeting” in the Old Testament of the Bible. In addition, the slits of glass panes between the cruciform “create a dramatic play of light and shadow” that brings light into the sanctuary. Besides it’s attractive exterior, the Church was popular for it’s miniature farm which kept animals such as monkeys, goats and dogs. In November 2005, the church was gazette for conservation. At present, it is still serving it’s religious purpose.

- Sri Muneeswaran Temple

The Sri Muneeswaran Temple at Commonwealth Drive is believed to be Southeast Asia’s largest shrine for the Sri Muneeswaran deity. Built at a cost of $2,000,000, the Temple was constructed on 1 Feburary 1988 to replace the old Queensway Muneeswaran Temple. The Temple first started as a shrine in 1932, when Malayan Railway employees living in Queenstown planted a sulam and a triangular stone in an attap hut under a banyan tree. The wooden hut was known as the Muniandy Temple were Hindu dovotees would congregate for daily prayers. In January 1970, a new $7000 Temple was constructed along Queensway to replace the shrine. Statues of deities in the Temple were directly imported from India. After relocating to Commonwealth Drive, the Temple underwent several renovations in 2004, 2008 and 2011 to expand it’s facilities for it’s growing congregation. The Temple held her 4th consecration ceremony on 10 July 2011.

- Former Malayan Railway

The former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway along Tanglin Halt is a dismantled segment in the West Coast Line of the Malayan Railway. The railway line between Kranji and Tank Road was first opened in 1903. The line was extended to Woodlands in 1907, then to Johor in 1923 and Tanjong Pagar Station in 1932. The Malyan railways were built to service the booming tin and rubber industries in Malaya and the port at Keppel. It had two stations in Queenstown. The first station was located at a warehouse in the former Archipelago Brewery Company where IKEA now stands whereas the second station was located at Tanglin Halt industrial Estate. Hence, the honking sound from the KTM trains were an iconic feature in Tanglin Halt. Many residents have commented that they would often play at the railway tracks. Hence, it was an important part of their lives in Queenstown. However in 2010, the Malayan Railway tracks were removed after an agreement was struck between Singapore and Malaysia. Today, the dismantled stretch known as the ‘Rail Corridor’ is a popular recreation site for families and friends.

- Black and White Bungalows

Known for their distinct black timber frames and white walls, these Black and White Bungalows were constructed by the British in the 1930s to house British personnel working in the nearby military installations at Alexandra and Pasir Panjang. The British beautify the traditional Indian bungalows with classical columns and tall shuttered windows, and furnish the walls with bricks and tiles. The concept of creating a unique architecture, which created a cooler living environment for the British in tropical colonies ,was being brought over to Singapore. With the withdrawal of British military forces in 1971, these bungalows were abandoned. Today, they are being used as art galleries and residences. In the past, these bungalows were playgrounds for Queenstown residents where children would play games such as catching and hide-and-seek.

- Flats Designed By The Singapore Improvement Trust

Blocks 47,51 and 67-73 Commonwealth Drive are the remaining apartment flats in Queenstown that are designed by The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT). Completed in the years between 1961-1964, there are 10 such blocks containing 120 three-room apartments. Designed in the Modern style, these three storey flats feature a clean and rational architectural façade such as horizontal slabs and ventilation holes. Moreover, footpaths and spacious backyards that were maintained by the residents living on the ground level, were provided for the general public to stroll along.

- Tanglin Halt Neighborhood Centre

The Tanglin Halt Neighborhood centre was opened in 1962. It comprised of 26 shop units arranged around a quadrangle and 84 stalls in the wet market. A shopping centre which composed of a hawker centre and three rows of shop houses were added later in 1967. There are several pioneer stores that visitors may wish may wish to explore at the neighborhood centre. Some examples are the Thin Huat store, Kian Seng store, Poh Onn Tong shop, Tanglin halt Delicious Duck Noodle shop and Tanglin Halt Original Peanut Pancake shop. These shops have been owned or either pass down through generations over the past 4-5 decades.