Singapore Region Guide - Farrer Road

Introduction

Farrer Road, a region in District 10, has recently become a news item, thanks to Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) that has undertaken a project of creating what is being said as one of the architectural wonders of 21st century. Since the project has been announced Farrer Road has been experiencing massive development, including construction of a future MRT station. Absence of too many skyscrapers in the region makes it an ideal place to live in with areas under lush green and open spaces. Farrer Road is one of the preferred destinations among property buyers and investors.

This region is named after R.F. Farrer, the Municipal Assessor and President of Municipal Commissioners in the 1920s. Since the region shares its name with another region, the renowned Farrer Park (named after the R.F. Farrer as well), an attempt was made in 1952 to change the name, which however was not successful.

Consequent to the recent development in Farrer Road region and rise in the demand for quality housing, overall infrastructure of the region is also going through rapid improvement. The close proximity of Farrer Road to the commercial centers of Singapore has also made it an important region.

Places of Interest

There are several places of interest in and around the region of Farrer Road. Some of the places that are most frequented by locals and visitors alike have been provided below:

• Botanic Gardens – Sprawling over 52 hectares, this lush green preserved area has a collection of thousands of floral species. National Orchid Garden, Evolution Garden and Ginger Garden are its main attractions. Exhibitions and concerts are regularly held here.

• Reflections at Bukit Chandu – A memorial constructed in tribute to the Malay Regiment’s stand against the invading Japanese army, its galleries exhibit photographs, dates, information and maps about the Battle of Pasir Panjang and the glorious feat of the Malay Regiment.

• Little Bali – One of the top restro-bars in the city, Little Bali, located at Gillman Village, is an attractive mix of a multi-cuisine restaurant, bar, and also offer services with an authentic Balinese touch!

Shopping/Dining

There are many options for shopping and eating-out in Farrer Road, with shopping centers and dine out places available in plenty. Some of the more popular ones have been listed below:

• Holland Road Shopping Center – A unique shopping center that hosts shops of diverse product such as arts & craft items, curio objects, Scandinavian Christmas decorations, pet shops, home decorations etc.

• Coronation Plaza – It is one of the major shopping malls in the area, housing local and international stores, including restaurants like the Miao Yi Vegetarian Restaurant and others.

• Tanglin Mall – A popular shopping centre in the region, it houses a supermarket (7-eleven) and diverse outlets.

• Tudor Court Shopping Gallery – One of the local shopping centres, it houses local brands and stores for Singaporean shoppers.

One of the major reasons for Farrer Road to become a place worth living is the high standard of facilities and amenities available in the region. In addition to the civic infrastructure, security and efficient municipal administration, every facility desired for modern living is available in the vicinity of the region. There are well known educational institutions, banks and offices of government departments. The recent boom in real estate sector has also given rise to various commercial activities in Farrar Road.

Moreover, clubs and community halls such as the Kingsmead Hall and Tanglin Community Centre provide ideal opportunities for recreational and social activities for the local residents. Parks such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens in the vicinity also provide due relaxation avenues for people who reside in the region.

Transport Network

Several modes of public transport, including railways and road transportation such as bus services, connect the region to other areas of Singapore.

The main MRT stations that serve the Farrer Road area are Commonwealth and Orchard stations. The Farrer Road station is under construction and is proposed to become operational by 2011.

Bus services are also used by the residents, and there are many bus stops in the region.

There are several important educational institutions in and around the area of Farrer Road. A number of prominent schools are also present within the region. Some of these have been listed below:

• National University of Singapore
• Singapore Bible College
• St. Margaret’s Secondary School
• Nanyang Primary School
• Command House
• Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) (International School)
• Hwa Chong International School