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A terrace house in Geylang is looking more out of place by the day as a brand new residential development is nearing completion -- around it.
However, as long as the old school house is standing, it will embody the good old story about not giving in at all -- and ensuring a piece of old Geylang is on show.
New buildings have to accommodate old house
Shin Min Daily News reported on March 28 that the house at 54 Lorong 28 Geylang is being sandwiched between two apartment buildings.
Photo by Ruth Chai
The original plan was for the developer to acquire the land, demolish the old houses, and build the new apartments.
Photo via NoMa
The houses that were successfully acquired were on 56 Lorong 28 Geylang and 331, 333, 335, 339 Guillemard Road.
However, the owners of two units refused to sell.
They are 54 Lorong 28 Geylang and 337 Guillemard Road.
This resulted in the NoMa development having a peculiar shape.
This is roughly the plot of land NoMa is situated on, where the dotted lines mark out the Lorong 28 unit that refused to sell.
Remaining Lorong 28 Geylang house
The homeowner, Wu, has refused to sell his house along Lorong 28 Geylang.
Photo by Ruth Chai
He declined to be interviewed by Shin Min.
It is understood he lived in the house with his older sister, based on his interview with the Chinese media previously.
It was revealed then that the house was bought by Wu's deceased mother.
Over the last three years, the contents of the house have remained roughly the same.
The foyer is filled with bird cages and fish tanks.
Wu also said he was unwilling to sell the house as he did not want to give up his safe haven close to the city.
The house was valued at about S$4 million in 2020.
The Straits Times sought comment from a man in the house in 2020, but the person asked for his privacy to be respected.
Remaining Guillemard Road house
The more public-facing 337 Guillemard Road house was also seen wedged between two apartment buildings.
via Shin Min Daily News
There was scaffolding built around the house and its roof was covered with canvas.
The property is a Buddhist prayer hall.
Access to it is reserved for the owner's family and friends, Shin Min reported, citing a caretaker, who was unsure why the owner did not want to sell the house.
Back in 2020, when approached to be interviewed, a man in the house declined comment.
The house apparently has been vacant since December 2022, a resident nearby told the Chinese media.
The reason could be because the ongoing construction works has been too much, it was also reported.
Not uncommon sight in Geylang
Sights like these are not uncommon in Geylang, with old and new properties co-existing side-by-side.
Photo by Ruth Chai
Just down the road, old houses stood alongside new apartments.
However, the eclectic mix of old and new is reportedly too much for some.
The common complaint is that the architecture in the area looks incongruous, a resident told Shin Min.