Bungalow a reminder of seafront life in Marine Parade

Interest rekindled in Choa Bungalow, built in 1898 and seen as part of cultural legacy

- Christie Chiu

Nestled between the soaring condominiums, ever-evolving malls and sleek, new Thomson-East Coast MRT line in Marine Parade lies a relic of a bygone era – a weathered bungalow that once stood just 5m from the sea.

Little remains of the seafront life that once defined the area, swept away by land reclamation efforts from the 1960s to the 1980s.

The peculiar presence of the property, known as the Choa Bungalow or Sea Breeze Lodge, in a neighbourhood that has seen rapid development, has not gone unnoticed.

Fringe interest has resurfaced of late, with curious netizens discussing its history in heritage groups on social media.

On May 29, Facebook user Stanley Cheah asked on the Heritage SG Memories page if anyone had any personal experiences with the Choa family during their time at the villa. It sparked a lively discussion as people shared various memories – from those who visited it as children during Chinese New Year, to those who admired it from afar for years.

In July 2024, Singapore artist Lee Xin Li revived the villa in a nostalgic illustration, and a Wikipedia page on the house emerged soon after.

Its future, however, is unclear, although real estate and heritage experts called for a proper and careful decision on the historic building, which can become an asset to Singapore's cultural legacy.

Located at 37 Marine Parade Road, the one-storey bungalow was built in 1898 by tin businessman Choa Kim Keat, who died in 1907 and whom Kim Keat Road in Balestier is named after.

In 2009, the building was gazetted for conservation as part of the larger Katong and Joo Chiat conservation area, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority, adding that this was also done “in recognition of its interesting hybrid architecture” typical of colonial-era bungalows.