Sim Kwong Ho shophouses

The Sim Kwong Ho shophouses are a row of shophouses located on the corner of Balestier Road and Kim Keat Road.

History

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Constructed in 1926, the Sim Kwong Ho shophouses were designed by architectural firm Westerhout & Oman, and built on 292-310 Balestier Road, by Sim Cheng Neo, who lived on 503 Balestier Road.[1][2] The row of shophouses are known as the Sim Kwong Ho Shophouses due to the Chinese characters on the side of the shophouses, which read "Sim Kwong Ho".[1] The style in which the shophouses are built is known as Singapore Eclectic or Chinese Baroque.[2][3] The walls of the shophouses are covered with European glazed floral tiles, with carvings of birds, flowers, bats and mythical beasts. There was formerly a centrepiece, which was taken down for unknown reasons.[2]

The shophouses have been included in the Balestier Heritage Trail by the National Heritage Board.[2][4][5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sim Kwong Ho Shophouses". Roots. National Heritage Board. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Balestier Heritage Trail" (PDF). NHB. National Heritage Board. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  3. ^ Nurjuwita, Dewi (27 October 2019). "The most beautiful traditional architecture in Singapore". Time Out. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  4. ^ Chin, Daryl (3 April 2011). "Extended heritage trail for Balestier". The Straits Times. Singapore.
  5. ^ Wong, Cara (19 December 2018). "A walk down memory lane for the elderly". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 7 April 2022.

1°19′24″N 103°50′58″E / 1.3234°N 103.8494°E / 1.3234; 103.8494