URA proposes conservation of five heritage sites under Draft Master Plan 2025

Online Citizen​

15-05-2025

Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will propose conserving five heritage-rich sites across the country as part of its Draft Master Plan 2025, announced National Development Minister Desmond Lee on 14 May 2025.
The sites include the Singapore Badminton Hall, Jurong Hill Tower, the former Royal Malayan Navy Admin Block in Woodlands, six blocks at Dakota Crescent, and the grandstands at Turf City.
The announcement was made via a Facebook video, where Lee described the sites as integral to telling 'the story of Singapore's progress in the last 60 years'.
According to URA, the proposed buildings reflect significant milestones in Singapore's sporting, social, and economic development.
'These are important ways of anchoring our sense of place and identity as Singaporeans,' Lee stated.
URA added that the proposals demonstrate Singapore's 'strong, continued commitment to conservation', highlighting both architectural merit and historical value.
Singapore Badminton Hall: A cradle of champions
Located at 100 Guillemard Road, the Singapore Badminton Hall was designed by pioneer architect Ng Keng Siang and completed in June 1952.
It hosted the third and fourth editions of the Thomas Cup in 1955 and 1958, and helped develop legendary athletes such as Wong Peng Soon, Ismail Marjan and Ong Poh Lim.
Beyond badminton, the hall served as a multi-purpose venue, hosting sepak takraw, table tennis, billiards, and even movie screenings.
It also played a pivotal political role in 1962 when it was used as the vote-counting centre during the referendum for the proposed formation of Malaysia.
Recognised by the National Heritage Board as a historic site in 1999, URA now seeks to conserve it as a symbol of both sporting excellence and national history.
Jurong Hill Tower: A beacon of industrial progress
Built in the late 1960s by JTC, Jurong Hill Tower was part of the broader Jurong Industrial Estate masterplan.
Its spiral ramp and panoramic viewing deck became key stops for visiting dignitaries between 1969 and 1984.
URA described the tower as a 'notable landmark representing Singapore's economic transformation post-independence' with architectural, social and historical significance warranting conservation.
Dakota Crescent: Honouring public housing heritage
One of Singapore's oldest housing estates, Dakota Crescent was built by the Singapore Improvement Trust in 1958.
URA will propose conserving a cluster of six blocks—four seven-storey, one three-storey, and one two-storey—surrounding the estate's courtyard and iconic dove playground.
The buildings feature distinctive balcony designs, with a mix of protruding and recessed styles.
The conservation aligns with earlier efforts at Tiong Bahru and Kampong Silat to preserve SIT-era developments and celebrate the nation's public housing journey.
Turf City: Grandstands of a bygone era
Turf City in Bukit Timah, the site of Singapore's second racecourse from 1933 to 1999, will also feature in the URA's conservation plan.
The north and south grandstands—once accommodating thousands of spectators—will be retained as 'significant landmarks'.
They represent Singapore's evolution from colonial pastimes to post-independence recreation.
While 15,000 to 20,000 homes are planned at the site over the next 20–30 years, the grandstands will be adapted for new uses and serve as focal points for the new residential community.
The north grandstand is a Modernist architectural example, while the south features classical design elements.
URA and other agencies are also assessing 25 other structures on-site for potential reuse, including the Bukit Timah Saddle Club Clubhouse and former secretaries' bungalows.
Royal Malayan Navy Admin Block: A naval legacy
Completed in 1953, the former Royal Malayan Navy Admin Block in Woodlands captures Singapore's maritime and military history.
It served multiple naval functions from the British colonial period to post-independence Singapore.
The site returned to Singapore in 1997 and was used as Admiralty West Prison from 2011 to 2018.
URA proposes conserving the three-storey Art Deco-style building, which includes a parade square and rooftop observation deck.
It will be integrated into a new HDB residential project, 'Housing by the Woods', with heritage features potentially influencing the estate's design.
Master Plan 2025 and the road ahead
The Draft Master Plan 2025 will be showcased in June as part of the SG60 celebrations, detailing Singapore's urban development vision for the next 10 to 15 years.
URA noted that more than 7,200 buildings and structures across 100 areas have been conserved since the start of Singapore's urban conservation programme in 1989.
The new proposals aim to expand this legacy by safeguarding buildings that carry social memory, cultural value, and architectural uniqueness.
URA reaffirmed that physical conservation will be complemented by initiatives to recall the intangible heritage linked to these sites.
Calls to remember lost icons like the Old National Library
Public reaction on CNA's Facebook page reflected a general appreciation for the proposed conservation efforts, with many viewing them as vital to preserving collective memory amid rapid urban development.
Several users recalled the Old National Library at Stamford Road, expressing regret over its exclusion from past conservation efforts. The building, demolished in 2005, was cherished not only as a repository of knowledge but also as a powerful symbol of national identity.
Others expressed hope that overlooked landmarks such as Selegie House, built in the 1960s, might receive due consideration in future conservation plans.
Suggestions from the public included repurposing older buildings into community spaces such as eating houses, recreational facilities, or rental flats for young couples awaiting BTO units.
Some welcomed the initiative, noting that conserving and adapting existing structures could prove more cost-effective than complete redevelopment.