Commonwealth Drive

Beautiful clouds formation in the photo above.

Queenstown is actually the first satellite town in S'pore, development started in the 1960s, or even may be 1950s, before Toa Payoh. And recently all the focus seems to be around the Dawson area.

Actually Queenstown is quite a huge area, I've no idea where it starts and end. But I know tucked in a corner is Commonwalth Drive and Tanglin Halt Road area. Here you can find lots of 'pigeon hole' flats. Most of such are built to a height restriction of 10 stories due to its design if I'm correct. Beyond all those steel and extension done to the flats due to MUP, its 'pigeon hole' style is still evident.

Other then those pigeon hole flats, one can find 3 stories style blocks here too. But most or may be all have been selected for sers including some 'pigeon hole' 10 stories blocks, which mean it might be gone real soon. And one can even find 3 blocks of food centre having its address 1, 2 and 3 Commonwealth Drive.

What is so unique about Queenstown is that it is filled with the old and the new. 1960's style structures with the modern high rise for housing could be seen in the area. Some 'oldies' are gone, some upgraded, and others just waiting for their fate.

Other then housing, one could also find structures that lasted till this day with little or no alterations at all. The Blessed Sacrament Church and Queenstown Library are 2 examples. You might think 40 years isn't that long, but in the context of fast changing S'pore, it is acutally considered 'very long'.

Once a bustling town, to a slowly forgotten one, until now one that is growing again in bustle. Queenstown has changed a lot and its still changing.

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Evident 'pigeon hole' style due to the columns that could be found stretching the whole corridor, making it having a very 'boxy' style.

The back side of these flats.

The staircase from 2 blocks, forming some kind of lines/shape in the photo. These few blocks you see in the above photos are currently not under sers from a online search, maybe they are waiting for their fate.

The neglected food centre. Most people started going to the new market cum food centre just opposite the road instead, making these 3 blocks of food centre very quiet.

Typical 3 stories blocks that have been selected for sers, would soon be demolished.

Close up design of the facade of 3 stories blocks corridor.

Windows of that time. All Shut.

Behind all the 3 stories blocks lies the railroad tracks. I've no idea how residents bare the noise of trains passing by everyday for 40+ years.

3 new 40 stories blocks standing tall just a few steps away, units have been built for replacement of those blocks selected for sers. Void of those flats are new shops that's coming up, there is even a sieng siong, sounds like business in this area is going to start getting real competitive.

Looking up those 40 stories flats. For the good views it offers, I want a high rise unit there. But for the floor area and corridor size, I would consider twice.

Previously on the site of those new flats stood a secondary school and primary school, which both has been demolished obviously. But just beside it, a primary school is coming up again.

Queenstown, a town filled with many memories and history. There's just so much to find out.


Month Taken: September 2007
Time Taken: Afternoon
Photo Size Above: Normal(500x375), (375x500)