Marine Parade is one of the most coveted estates in the East these days, thanks to its proximity to the beach, nearby malls, and direct public transport routes to the CBD and town. And with HDB flats offering a sea view, it’s easy to see why the area is so sought after.
Amidst all the development in the area, one relic from Marine Parade’s pre-land reclamation days still stands. Just off Marine Parade MRT’s Exit 2 sits the Choa Bungalow, a 127-year-old villa that once stood just 5 metres from the sea.
Singapore’s first waterfront private property
Image credit: Ng Wee Liang
Built in 1898, the bungalow was commissioned by Choa Kim Keat, a prominent tin trader and businessman. You might recognise his name, as both Kim Keat Road and Kim Keat Avenue in Toa Payoh are named after him, a testament to his influence in early Singapore.
Image credit: @katong.joochiat
Originally known as Sea Breeze Lodge, the bungalow was built as a weekend seaside retreat for the Choa family and once claimed as Singapore’s first waterfront private property, perched just five metres from the sea.
The pre-war estate spanned 47,400sqft and originally included a main conserved bungalow and a separate 3-storey block, which was later built to house British officers after World War II. The block has since been demolished, leaving the 3,100sqft bungalow as a glimpse of the lodge’s past.
Image credit: @katong.joochiat
The bungalow features a colonial design, perched on raised platforms with a short entrance staircase. Its architecture blends Chinese and Western influences, combining a Chinese-style roof with a broad veranda lined with balustrades, reminiscent of a classic Western mansion. A pair of Chinese stone lions stand guard at the gate, lending a touch of traditional elegance to the historic estate.
During WWII, the property was occupied by Japanese forces from 1942 to 1945 before being returned to the Choa family after the war. It remained in the family for decades, with Eric Choa, Choa Kim Keat’s grandson, living there until his passing in 2009.
Previously sold for $103.8M
In 2011, the Choa family sold the estate to Far East Organisation for $103.8 million. The company still owns the land today, with no redevelopment plans. Some experts believe Far East may be holding onto the site for its land value, especially since it also owns the adjoining Village Hotel Katong and Katong V shopping mall.
Today, the land’s value is likely much higher, thanks to recent developments and its prime location near the Katong-Joo Chiat precinct, known for its rich heritage and charming shophouses.
Gazetted as a conserved building by URA since 2009, the property requires strict approval for any restoration or redevelopment. For now, the bungalow stands as one of the last remaining historic seaside residences in the area, sitting on a prime piece of land whose value is only set to rise.
127-year-old Choa Bungalow in Marine Parade
Many east-siders remember the bungalow as a fond part of their childhood, playing near the lodge when it still sat beside the sea. The house continues to age naturally, offering a rare insight into the seaside lifestyle Singaporeans once enjoyed, when you could step out and run straight to the beach—something modern homeowners can only imagine.
Amid ongoing changes in the neighbourhood, including the redeveloped Marine Parade CC & Library set to reopen by early 2026, the Choa Bungalow remains protected under conservation status, ensuring this century-old villa continues to stand as a distinctive Marine Parade icon.
Did you know…
- Bukit Purmei’s HDB flats overlook a royal burial ground?
- Marine Parade’s HDB flats & condos are all built on reclaimed land?
- Singapore used to have postal codes that comprised only one number?
Cover image adapted from: @katong.joochiat
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