Beyond being Singapore’s most talked-about bungalow for political reasons, 38 Oxley Road has once again stepped into the spotlight. This time, for its gazettement as a national monument. This puts 38 Oxley Road in the same league as other residences such as the House of Tan Yeok Nee and Sri Temasek, the official residence of the Prime Minister.
But beyond its political symbolism, 38 Oxley Road carries a surprisingly rich backstory, from its Dutch colonial origins and rare architecture to its long-lost twin that once stood beside it.
Here’s a deep dive into the lesser-known facts that make 38 Oxley Road, the residence of Lee Kuan Yew, more than just a political icon of Singapore.
1. Built by a Dutch merchant in the 1890s, rent used to be $65
Image credit: Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Constructed around 1898, 38 Oxley Road was commissioned by Hermann Cornelius Verloop, a Dutch merchant who was part of Singapore’s early European trading community. The bungalow originally formed part of a leafy colonial neighbourhood where merchants and professionals lived close to the city but away from the bustle of town.
Back in the early 1900s, the property’s monthly rent was listed at just $65. An unbelievable sum by today’s standards, but still a respectable rate at the time for a large house. The home was also known to have served as a venue for auctions as stated in the National Heritage Board Report, with advertisements in old newspapers listing it among Singapore’s more prominent addresses.
2. Taken over by the Japanese from 1942 to 1945
Image credit: Wolny
During the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945), the bungalow’s European owners vacated the property, and it was subsequently taken over by the Japanese. Records from the period indicate that the house was used as a “comfort house”, one of several private residences in Singapore repurposed for Japanese military and civilian use during the war.
Like many homes in the area, 38 Oxley Road became part of a much darker chapter in Singapore’s history, a fate shared by many homes in Oxley Road. When the war ended, the property was eventually returned to private hands, carrying with it the heavy echoes of those occupation years.
3. First PAP meeting held in the home’s basement
Image credit: CNA/Wallace Woon
In the 1950s, 38 Oxley Road became more than just a home, it turned into the birthplace of Singapore’s modern political story. Around 1953, a small group of young, ambitious men began meeting in the bungalow’s basement dining room to discuss forming a new political party.
Among them were Lee Kuan Yew, Dr Goh Keng Swee, Dr Toh Chin Chye, S. Rajaratnam, and K. M. Byrne. These names that would later define the course of the nation. Their meetings were modest affairs, held in a quiet family home rather than a grand office. Yet, those discussions would go on to change the destiny of Singapore.
Image credit: National Heritage Board
As chronicled in Men in White: The Untold Story of Singapore’s Ruling Political Party, “Here towards the end of 1954 was where the People’s Action Party (PAP) was born.”
In the years that followed, 38 Oxley Road also served as the PAP’s election office, its first informal headquarters. From this modest address, campaign materials were planned and distributed, making it both a home and a hub of political strategy.
4. Fortified with bullet-proof windows, guard post & guarded entrance
Image credit: Bahnfrend
Over the years, 38 Oxley Road became more fortress than bungalow. Steel gates, bullet-proof windows and brick walls were added, a guard post was also installed. A reflection of both its occupant’s stature and the turbulent political times Singapore was going through.
The fortifications were believed to have been added in the 1950s and 1960s, as Mr Lee Kuan Yew rose to prominence and became a key political figure in Singapore’s path to independence.
Image credit: Separation: Declassified
Bullet-proof windows were reportedly installed for security reasons, while a guard post and steel gates were built to control access to the property. It wasn’t just about privacy, the threat of political violence and unrest was real in those years, and the house needed to be both home and safe haven.
Despite these security measures, the house itself remained remarkably modest. Unlike the more flamboyant bungalows of its era, 38 Oxley Road was designed to blend into its surroundings rather than stand out.
Its simple facade, unassuming structure, and practical layout reflected the Lee family’s preference for functionality over luxury, a philosophy that mirrored Mr Lee’s approach to governance.
5. 1 of 16 remaining bungalows from the 1950s
Image credit: National Heritage Board
Architecturally, 38 Oxley Road is rare. It’s one of roughly 16 surviving bungalows of its kind in Singapore, representing the “Early Style” design, a tropical adaptation of Anglo-Indian colonial design.
Unlike the iconic black-and-white bungalows built later by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which typically feature stark white walls, and large, open verandahs designed for cross-ventilation, bungalows like 38 Oxley Road are more compact, modest, and inward-looking.
They combine practical features such as high ceilings, French windows, and slightly sloped rear sections that help with airflow, while keeping the exterior relatively simple.
Where black-and-white bungalows often served as government residences or were intentionally grand and imposing, 38 Oxley Road was designed as a private home. Its architecture prioritised cool, breathable interiors for tropical living, rather than decorative statements.
In short, while it shares some colonial design DNA with the black-and-whites, 38 Oxley Road stands out as a quieter, earlier chapter of Singapore’s bungalow story, a piece of architectural heritage that has survived where many of its counterparts have not.
6. Was one part of twin houses with 40 Oxley Road
Current land where 40 Oxley once stood.
Image credit: Google Maps
Originally, 38 Oxley was known as “Castor”, with its identical neighbour at 40 Oxley Road dubbed “Pollux”. Both names nod to the Greek/Roman mythological twins, while the road itself is named after Dr. Thomas Oxley, a British surgeon and nutmeg plantation owner.
For decades, the two houses stood side by side, forming a rare pair of matching colonial bungalows in Singapore. However, over time, many older properties in the area were redeveloped or demolished due to urbanisation, changing land use, and structural concerns. Pollux at 40 Oxley was eventually torn down, leaving Castor standing alone as the last surviving twin.
7. Humble & and frugal living inside
Furniture from 38 Oxley Road on display at the National Museum of Singapore.
Image credit: Jacklee
Despite its fame and political significance, the house was surprisingly modest inside. Old furnishings like rattan chairs and mosaic tiles were spread throughout the house.
There was no air-conditioning, and in the early years, no shower. As reported in The New Paper (March 26, 2015), the downstairs bathroom was described as such by reporter Ms Tan:
“The downstairs bathroom, for instance, still held a humdangong (Cantonese for barrel or tub used for making salted eggs), a large clay urn filled with water for bathing, old-school style, complete with a plastic scoop.”
It was only after Mrs Lee suffered a stroke in London in 2003 that their children installed a proper shower.
These details reflect the frugality of the Lee family, showing that even a house with historical status can still have a “keep it simple” mindset.
38 Oxley Road and its lesser known facts
Despite controversies and a decade of political attention, 38 Oxley Road endures as a symbol of Singapore’s layered history. Its architectural rarity and unique bungalow design make it an irreplaceable treasure.
Yet beyond the politics and bricks, the house tells a story of modest interiors and frugality. These are the walls that have witnessed more than just everyday life, it’s also a testament to the history of our country.
Whether it moves toward preservation as a national monument, or if it’s slated for demolition, the fact remains that this house is a place that has quietly helped shape modern Singapore.
For more reads on heritage and national significance, check these out:
- Mountbatten lodge: Living in a slice of Singapore’s Heritage for $2.4k/month
- King Albert Park GCB once owned by President Benjamin Sheares now listed for $30m
- By My Old School is a vintage shop that is a blast to the past
Cover image adapted from: Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Bahnfrend
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