Tiong Bahru might be known as a heritage neighbourhood with popular cafes, but it’s also home to the unique horseshoe-shaped block—Block 78 Moh Guan Terrace. Beyond its iconic pre-war architecture, Block 78 stands out with 3 different street addresses, and a secret WWII air raid shelter in the basement.
Tiong Bahru HDB block with 3 addresses
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Block 78 Moh Guan Terrace, commonly known as the “horseshoe block”, is the only building in Singapore with 3 different addresses. Its unique curved layout spans multiple streets, with each unit assigned an address based on its location:
- 78 Moh Guan Terrace (centre of block, the most commonly known address)
- 78 Yong Siak Street (west side)
- 78 Guan Chuan Street (east side)
The block was originally constructed by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) between 1939 and 1940, and was the largest of the public housing blocks built at the time.
It also holds the title of Singapore’s first 5-storey flat, with 70 units in total. Since 2003, it’s been gazetted for conservation, and as one of the rare pre-war public housing blocks still standing today, it has become a distinctive icon of Tiong Bahru, offering a rare glimpse into Singapore’s early public housing days.
Air raid shelter in the basement
Image credit: Roots.sg
Block 78 is the only SIT-constructed public housing block to house an air raid shelter—and it happens to be the last pre-war civilian air raid shelter here that’s still preserved today. Tucked beneath 78 Guan Chuan Street, the air raid shelter sits in what was originally constructed as a children’s play area, but was later converted into a blast-proof air raid shelter ahead of WWII.
The shelter spans 1,500sqm and could fit around 1,600 people, playing a vital role in keeping residents safe during the war. These days, it remains closed to the public, but you can take a peek inside during special events or by joining a monthly Tiong Bahru heritage tour.
Living in the “horseshoe block”
Image credit: tiongbahrusg
For those interested in living in one of Singapore’s historic blocks, it won’t come cheap. Other than their heritage value, the units at Block 78 are known for their spacious layout and wide balcony space, complemented by low-rise architecture that makes for a rare public housing find.
A 2-room flat currently starts at $888,000 on the market, while bigger units can fetch $1.2M or more. Renting isn’t exactly cheap either, with monthly rates averaging between $4,100 and $4,500.
While it’s an investment to live here, you are also paying a premium for its central and convenient location. Block 78 is just an 8-minute walk from Tiong Bahru MRT, 10 minutes to Havelock MRT, and 5 minutes away from the popular Tiong Bahru Market.
Image credit: @ping.jie_cottage
Right at the foot of the block, you’ll find cafes, restaurants, and even a neighbourhood cobbler who lives and works from her ground-floor unit—little touches that add to the nostalgic charm of the area. It’s also located right next to Kim Pong Park, a quiet neighbourhood park great for unwinding after a long day.
Even though the block was constructed in the late 1930s, the 99-year lease only started on 1st January 1967. That means there’s still over 40 years left on the lease—plenty of time to experience what it’s like to live in a slice of Singapore’s history.
Historical public housing block in Tiong Bahru
Block 78 Moh Guan Terrace is one of a kind in Singapore, with 3 addresses, an iconic horseshoe layout, and a secret air raid shelter hidden beneath. If you’ve ever been curious about Singapore’s pre-war housing, this iconic Tiong Bahru block might just be the place to start.
For more HDB blocks with unique features:
- HDB flats with 360-degree view bubble lifts
- Ultra-rare HDB block in Bedok with only 2 units
- Tampines HDBs with lifts that act as passageways
Cover image adapted from: Uchify, Wikimedia Commons
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