Balestier, Toa Payoh (District 12)

District 12 is often perceived as a quaint and humble abode to the average Singaporean. However various developments over the recent years have turned District 12 consisting of Toa Payoh and Balestier as its main regions into a vibrant heartland. This includes The Arte at Thomson which began sales in March 2009 at an average price of S$880 psf that was revised to S$900 psf by City Developments Limited (LDT) later in May 2009.

Toa Payoh, translated as “big swamp” in the local Hokkien dialect, makes implicit references to the area as a large swampy area that pre-existed its later development. In early Singaporean history, Toa Payoh was an extensive squatter district that was utilized mainly for farming and rearing pigs. Despite these humble beginnings of Toa Payoh perceived to be far from glamourous, Toa Payoh was visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972 and 2006 during her tour around the Commonwealth. Moreover, Toa Payoh New Town was HDB’s second satellite town in 1968 as the main centre for shopping and entertainment for the residents. On top of various amenities in the area, Toa Payoh is also home to several sports and recreation centres like the Toa Payoh Stadium, the Singapore Table Tennis Association and the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. One can also easily find SAFRA right next to the Toa Payoh Stadium.

Balestier also forms a prominent component of District 12. Balestier Road can be easily recognized for its rows of shophouses, low-rise apartment blocks and commercial buildings and shopping malls like Shaw Plaza. Balestier is also known for its mouth-watering local food like the flaky bean jam pastry locally known as tau sar piah and pork rib soup bak kut teh which can be found at the House of Tau Sar Piah and Founder Bak Kut Teh respectively along Balestier Road.