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Name : Howard
Tan
Contact : 84202087/ 84388985
howardtan-ccn.tripod.com
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Singapore District Guide
District 12 - Balestier, Serangoon, Toa PayohDistrict
12 is an area that is rich in history and which includes the quaint township Toa Payoh New town, the second satellite town
in Singapore built by the Housing and Development Board (HDB).
Introduction/History
Toa
Payoh
The Toa Payoh Planning Area is an urban planning zone under the Urban Redevelopment Authority which
includes Toa Payoh New Town, Potong Pasir and Upper Aljunied. Built in 1970, Toa Payoh New Town conforms to the urban planning
principles of that era. The residential area is very self-sufficient with a vibrant town centre to cater to the everyday needs
of its residents. The Toa Payoh Town Centre was the first prototype in Singapore.
Balestier
Besides
being a residential and commercial area, Balestier is a historical location with lots of good food. Balestier sits in the
central district of Singapore and is quickly accessible to the Serangoon, Novena and Bendemeer districts.
Balestier
is named after Joseph Balestier, the first United States Consul of Singapore who lived in Singapore back in the 1800s. Joseph
Balestier possessed a 1,000-acre sugarcane plantation known as Balestier Plantation which was located at Balestier Plain.
Unfortunately, Balestier was forced to sell off his property after tragedy struck with the passing of his wife and the onslaught
of a recession. Balestier then returned to his homeland.
Amenities/Facilities
The Toa
Payoh Town Centre is lined with many shopping. The mall is L-shaped and there are two plazas. There is a branch library and
cinema in the first plaza and an area office and post office in the other plaza. HDB’s headquarters is situated at HDB
Hub, a large commercial development which is directly linked to the Toa Payoh MRT Station and accommodates the air conditioned
Toa Payoh Bus Interchange. Despite the great demand for housing in the area, the Housing and Development Board allocated a
large area to the development of the Toa Payoh Town Garden. The town garden is beautifully landscaped with willows, bamboos
and Delonix regia trees. A carp pond with a waterfall and a cluster of islands linked by bridges sit at the centre of the
garden. The islands are a sight to behold at night when it is lit. Children can frolic in the playground while parents chat
in the designated seating areas. There is an outdoor chessboard, a tea kiosk and a 27-meter high viewing tower.
There
are a number of historical sites in the Balestier area. Among them are the Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple built in 1847, the
art deco shophouses built in 1920s, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and the former Shaw Brothers Studio built in 1937 that
was used by the Japanese to promote propaganda films during World War II.
Transportation
Toa
Payoh MRT Station and Braddell MRT Station connect District 12 to the rest of Singapore. You can also use the public bus service
at the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange.
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