State-owned 1920s buildings in Little India to be converted to co-living space

Another housing option.

Ethan Ong | March 23, 2023, 03:21 PM

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There will soon be one more option for those looking at housing alternatives in Singapore.

Houses originally built by the government for labourers in the 1920s will be converted into co-living spaces.

New co-living space along Hindoo Road

The property that will be converted is a row of old terraced houses along 79 to 95 Hindoo Road.

It is situated in Little India — one of Singapore's most vibrant and culturally rich neighbourhoods.

The repurposing of the state-owned building is part of the Singapore Land Authority (SLA)'s "continuing efforts to optimise land use", said the Ministry of Law in a Facebook post.

Photo from Ministry of Law Facebook Page

According the the Urban Redevelopment Authority website, the terraced houses along Hindoo Road have been designated as conserved buildings within the Little India Historic District.

This means that the entire building has to be retained and restored in its original state, even while it is converted for use as a co-living space.

This co-living space will enjoy the central location, close to the Central Business District, and it is accessible via public transport — just a four-minute walk from Jalan Besar MRT station.

Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Law, said SLA has launched tenders to repurpose the properties in a Mar. 15 Facebook post.

Rahayu, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, explained that "conversations with industry players" about how to use state property pointed to "strong demand" for such spaces, in light of an upward trend of co-living.

According to The Straits Times (ST), a spokesperson from SLA said this is the first tender for a co-living concept in a shophouse-type asset class under SLA's state property portfolio.

What is co-living?

If you are not familiar with co-living, it is a community living concept where strangers live together and share common spaces.

Common spaces can include living rooms, kitchens, laundry areas, and even toilets.

The appeal of co-living spaces lies in its flexibility and convenience.

Tenants of co-living spaces can use the provided furnishings and amenities in shared spaces, while having a certain level of privacy in their own rooms.

Co-living can serve as a more pocket-friendly alternative for those still in search of their next home, as compared to renting a similar property.

If you are someone who is interested in living in a heritage building, this new co-living concept could be an option to explore as well.

Top image via Rahayu Mahzam on Facebook