Singapore’s condos are often full of surprises, from unexpected facilities to timeless designs hardly seen in new launches today. Taking a cue from our streets, where new and old buildings sit side by side, several pre-war residences have been conserved as part of modern condo developments.
These 8 historical mansions in Singapore now “sit” within condo developments, given a new lease of life as clubhouses and keeping a piece of our pre-war architectural heritage alive.
1. Matilda House—a Treasure Trove’s clubhouse
Image credit: Urban Redevelopment Authority
Built in 1902 by Alexander Cashin, the Matilda House at Punggol is one of Singapore’s oldest surviving homes. Originally part of a sprawling 350-hectare estate, the bungalow spans 4,448sqft and features 6 rooms.
Over time, as the government reclaimed land to develop the Punggol area, Matilda House was left abandoned and fell into disrepair, sparking ghost stories and urban legends.
The house was gazetted for conservation in 2000 by the URA, protecting its original architecture. It was revived as a part of A Treasure Trove condominium, and completed in 2015.
Image credit: Design Link Architects
The Sim Lian Group restored the Matilda House as the condo’s main clubhouse, preserving the bungalow’s one-storey structure, pitched roof, wraparound veranda, and combining its pre-war vintage charm with modern facilities.
Today, the clubhouse houses a gym, a lounge, and study rooms for its residents, retaining its title as the last historical bungalow in Punggol.
Condo completion year: 2015
Location: Punggol
Average price per sqft: $1,570
2. Butterfly House—partly conserved at The Aristo @ Amber
Image credit: Remember Singapore
Seaside living doesn’t hit quite the same today, older east-siders might remember when the sea was literally right at the doorstep, long before Marine Parade’s land reclamation.
The Butterfly House once enjoyed this prime location, with its semicircular “wings” extending like a butterfly facing the shoreline. Built for the Cashin family, the same family who owned the Matilda House, it’s only fitting that the heritage property is also conserved and incorporated into a modern condo.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
In 2008, the site was redeveloped into The Aristo @ Amber condominium. While most of the original mansion, including its wings, was demolished to make way for an 18-storey condo as the main structure, the original front of the house was preserved as the condo’s foyer.
The condo wraps around the Butterfly House’s frontage, creating a unique entrance for residents and visitors to enjoy a tangible piece of the area’s heritage while living in a modern development.
Condo completion year: 2013
Location: Marine Parade
Average price per sqft: $1,770
3. Victorian-style colonial bungalows—Grand Duchess at St Patrick’s clubhouse
Image credit: The Long and Winding Road on Facebook
Grand Duchess at St Patrick’s site was originally home to two Victorian-style colonial villas (known as 124 and 126/126A St Patrick’s Road), built in 1914 and 1925 respectively. These seaside properties were once grand residences owned by Tan Soon Guan, the great-grandson of Tan Tock Seng.
Image adapted from: URA
In 2005, the land was sold to the UIC Investment Pte Ltd, which redeveloped the site into a condominium. Completed in 2010, Grand Duchess at St Patrick has an exclusive flex of having 2 historical villas on-site, with the larger one incorporated as the Majestic Clubhouse.
Image adapted from: URA
Original architectural details such as cast-iron balustrades, checkerboard-tiled veranda, and a deep front porch were carefully reinstated, preserving the villa’s historical character.
Modern upgrades were also subtly integrated with the conserved structures, such as free-standing air conditioning concealed within the original timber structure.
Image credit: Buycondo.sg
The smaller villa at 126/126A St Patrick’s Road was also preserved and converted into 2 exclusive residential units, reportedly launched at around $3 million each in the mid-2000s.
Living in one of these units comes with serious bragging rights, with a unit featuring 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms commanding a whopping $18,000 per month in rent. For a select few, it offers the rare opportunity to experience heritage living while enjoying the full perks of condo living.
Condo completion year: 2010
Location: Marine Parade
Average price per sqft: $2,193
4. House at 9 Buckley Road—conserved at Buckley Classique
Image credit: NLB
Once the home of Hong Leong founder Kwek Hong Png, the colonial-era bungalow at 9 Buckley Road has been meticulously conserved. It now stands as the restored clubhouse of Buckley Classique, retaining much of its 1930s charm.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Completed in 1932, the 2-storey bungalow blends Baroque and Classical revival styles popular at the time.
The house features a unique combination of Western-style architecture incorporated with Chinese cultural symbolism, seen in its notable entrance arch (known as the Buckley Arch). Added after 1943, the entrance is adorned with Chinese motifs traditionally used to convey blessings, such as good fortune and wealth.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The villa still retains much of its original structure, including the wide verandas and ornate columns, and was granted heritage status by URA in 2008.
Today, it houses lounge and recreation spaces for Buckley Classique residents, with the veranda opening to the swimming pool. There’s even an indoor children’s playground inside the bungalow, making it a rare heritage space for the whole family to enjoy.
Condo completion year: 2015
Location: Newton
Average price per sqft: $2,702
5. Tan Chin Tuan Mansion—Cairnhill condo of the same name
Image credit: Tecity Group
Built in 1926, the Tan Chin Tuan Mansion is a grand Beaux-Arts-style residence originally constructed for entrepreneur and philanthropist Tan Kah Kee, later owned by former OCBC chairman Tan Chin Tuan in 1939.
Image adapted from: Urban Redevelopment Authority
The mansion was kept intact and meticulously restored, making it one of the rare condos in Singapore that still carries the original mansion’s name. Key 1920s features, including its distinctive bell-shaped turret and artefacts belonging to Tan Chin Tuan, were carefully preserved during the $3 million redevelopment to honour the home’s legacy.
Image credit: Viracon
Completed in 2008, a modern 20-storey residential block now towers over the original mansion. The development comprises just 16 ultra-exclusive units, each spanning around 4,000 sqft with one unit per floor, offering ultimate privacy. Today, the restored mansion serves as the condo’s clubhouse and a venue for the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation, anchoring the development with a strong sense of heritage.
Condo completion year: 2008
Location: Orchard
Average price per sqft: Unknown
6. US ambassador’s former residence—Spring Grove condo’s clubhouse
Image credit: American Association of Singapore
Some might recognise the clubhouse at Spring Grove as the former residence of the US Ambassador, but its history stretches much further back. The land was once part of a sprawling estate granted to businessman Hoo Ah Kay (also known as Whampoa), before it became the official residence for US ambassadors from 1936 to 1941, and after WWII to 1991.
The bungalow was accorded conservation status by URA in 1991. Interestingly, the US government holds a freehold title to the land, while they sold the site to CDL on a 99-year lease, a rare arrangement which adds a unique hurdle for any en bloc decisions.
Image adapted from: Urban Redevelopment Authority
Its black-and-white bungalow charm remains largely intact today, from the open veranda to the timber posts that frame the structure. The colonial-style clubhouse carries a tropical vibe, where you can lounge by the pool and enjoy the breeze.
Condo completion year: 1996
Location: Newton
Average price per sqft: $2,193
7. Mount Sophia Tower House—Haus on Handy’s clubhouse
Image credit: Remember Singapore
Heritage buildings continue to find new life in modern developments, with Haus on Handy as a recent example. The Mount Sophia Tower House, built in 1892, was originally part of the Methodist Girls’ School campus when they occupied Mount Sophia. Completed in 2023, the Tower House is repurposed as Haus on Handy’s clubhouse, perched on top of a steep upslope stretching from Sophia Road down to Handy Road.
Image adapted from: @finbarrfallon and @fin.barr
The Tower House has kept key historical details such as its wide veranda and intricate iron fittings. These elements have been carefully conserved, preserving the building’s colonial-era character while blending seamlessly with the condo’s modern design.
Image credit: CDL
Today, the Tower House houses the condo’s concierge, a gym, a yoga studio, cooking facilities, and a range of other resident amenities.
Condo completion year: 2023
Location: Orchard
Average price per sqft: $2,919
8. 1920s black and white bungalow—Draycott Eight’s clubhouse
Image credit: Malcom Tan via Google Maps
Reportedly the largest conserved condo clubhouse in Singapore, Draycott Eight stands out with a restored 1920s Black-and-White bungalow at its heart. The 2-storey residence spans roughly 16,000sqft, making it a striking centrepiece within this luxury development.
Image credit: Singapore Luxury Residence
Before Wing Tai redeveloped the site in the late 1990s, the bungalow served as the French School (École Française de Singapour) from the late 1960s through the 1980s. The bungalow is now fully restored and repurposed as the condo’s clubhouse, complete with spacious lounge areas and entertainment rooms.
Beyond its heritage architecture, Draycott Eight lives up to its luxury status with a range of amenities, including numerous sports facilities like a 50m pool and billiards room, as well as a theatre room and even a wine cellar.
Condo completion year: 2006
Location: Newton
Average price per sqft: $2,164
Historical mansions “sitting” in condos
These aren’t your typical condo clubhouses tucked behind glass walls, each heritage mansion brings its own unique past, transforming into community spaces full of character and charm.
By integrating these pre-war homes into modern developments, these residents get the rare opportunity to live alongside a piece of Singapore’s history, enjoying spaces that celebrate the past.
For more condo reads:
- A look at Les Maisons Nassim: Where Singapore’s most expensive condo unit was sold for $75M
- 11 condos in Singapore with panoramic seaviews to make you feel like you’re living in a resort
- The evolution of condos in Singapore: from HDB-looking blocks to futuristic skyscrapers
Cover image adapted from: American Association of Singapore, Singapore Luxury Residence
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