38 Oxley Road gazetted for acquisition by NHB, govt committed to respecting LKY's wish to protect family's privacy

38 Oxley Road has been gazetted for acquisition by the National Heritage Board (NHB) on Jan. 29.

This follows its gazetting as a national monument on Dec. 12, 2025.

In a media release by the NHB, it said that preserving and acquiring the site means that it “cannot be redeveloped for residential, commercial, or other private uses.” NHB added that the acquisition will safeguard the site, "in keeping with its historic significance."

After the 38 Oxley Road is acquired, the relevant authorities will assess the condition of the building and structures within, as well as undertake a detailed study to determine the next steps.

Committed to respecting privacy

All options, including those suggested by a 2018 Ministerial Committee, will be considered, but the statement said that the government “has committed to respecting Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s wishes to protect his family’s privacy”.

This would be done by removing “all traces of their private living spaces" from the interior of the house.

“Under no circumstances will the interior of the house, as Mr Lee knew, be displayed, recorded, remodelled or duplicated elsewhere.”

The statement said that NHB and the Singapore Land Authority will work with the current owner of the site through the acquisition process, and that compensation will be determined in accordance with the 1966 Land Acquisition Act.

This will take into account the market value of the site, as well as the claims submitted by interested parties.

Top image via Google Maps & NHB/Facebook