Saturday, November 26, 2011

Old buildings quiz (17)

I think both the photos below are of the same building. The first one (colour) is from Geoffrey Pain and was taken around 1967. The second one (black and white) is from the collection of the National Archives. Happened to stumble upon it and thought there is strong resemblance.

I think readers should have no difficulty in figuring out where this place is. After all, how many HDB estates were there in Singapore in 1967?

PS - I think Geoffrey had accidentally flipped his photo horizontally. After I flipped it again, it is obvious that the two photos are of the same building. In fact, it is interesting that two photographers should take a photo of the same building from almost the same angle; although there is likely to be a time gap of 2 to 3 years.

22 comments:

peter said...

Queensway; bus going in the direction of Alexandra Road. Near some today petrol station.

Singapore Man of Leisure said...

Tanglin Halt 16 storey buildings!

If you say "Uncle, Tanglin Halt" to senior taxi-drivers, they will ask "Tanglin Halt 10 or 16 storey?"

stanley said...

I agree with "Singapore Man Of Leisure" There are 3 blocks of 16 storey flats.

Student Advisors said...

Nice Photo, I love this place of Singapore. It's so nice view.

Lam Chun See said...

Man of Leisure, Stanley. Are you referring the the blocks in the last photo of my blog post here? If you are, then the answer is wrong. Peter's answer also wrong - I am reasonably sure.

Singapore Man of Leisure said...

This is getting fun! Now I am totally lost!?

Can't wait for the answer :)

And I was so confident.... LOL!

Azy said...

Commonwealth Close

Timothy said...

I think this is around commonwealth near the road leading to farrar? I think it use to be near some big field?

Icemoon said...

If Chun See is silent for too long, you know somebody here is correct. lol

FL said...

I think I'm very certain that the HDB flats should be Blk 81,82 & 83 C'wealth Close (16 storeys). Oh, these blocks really bring back memories of my teen days. My former classmate (Ronnie Leong)'s family got the new flat in one of the blocks. I remember he sent me a letter and also to others to seek help in moving house. Of course, I helped him. The year I think 1967 or 1968. I have lost touched with him. I hope he's reading your blog, Ronnie Leong. I'm not sure whether he's still staying there ?

Anonymous said...

Could it be some block in Lor 1 Toa Payoh?

Lam Chun See said...

The black and white photo from NHB is actually dated 1964. At that time, I don't think Toa Payoh was up yet.

Icemoon. The reason I keep quiet is becos I am curious to hear what people think. When I first rec'd the photo from Geoff Pain, I had no idea whatsoever; and thought it was in Clementi - viewed from Sungei Ulu Pandan. But of course if you consider the age of the photo, then that would be totally impossible, Clementi being a relatively young estate.

Keith said...

I think the view from Blk 81 and 83 must be very impressive, with so much greenery there. And I really miss those days in Queenstown. Compared with its contemporaries at Toa Payoh, Redhill, Tiong Bahru, etc, it was not congested and yet housed quality shopping centres, cinemas, etc.

Lam Chun See said...

Keith. Which part of Queenstown did you stay in? Have you been to Margaret Dr lately. Everything being torn down.

I like the old estates. Much space bet the blocks and easily accessed from the car parks. E.g. Clementi Ave 2, 5 and 4. In the new towns, you have to park in multi-storey car park and difficult to orientate when you come down.
Last week got lost at Edgefield Plain and Pongol Plain. Went to the wrong car park. The basement car parks looked exactly the same.

AK said...

Allow me to venture a guess: Back of Block 37 @ Jalan Rumah Tinggi?

Keith said...

I stayed in Redhill but visited my auntie at Strathmore Ave almost weekly. And much time during the visits were spent at the old Queenstown community playing soccer, carrom, etc with my cousins.
I drove by Margaret Drive a few months back, and yes very empty now. Only memories left were the hawker centre, cinemas-turned-churches and the library.

Edward said...

Tiong Bahru?

Tom said...

Could it be in the Bedok area Iam sure there were Flats in 1961 in that area.

Sen said...

http://maps.google.com.sg/maps?hl=en&ll=1.302755,103.801382&spn=0.000043,0.032938&hnear=Singapore&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=1.303006,103.801525&panoid=4-2hULawrjZaGYkK4qRM4w&cbp=12,323.92,,0,-13.66

Air Compressor Parts said...

I think I'm very certain that the HDB apartments should be Blk 81,82 & 83 C'wealth Shut (16 storeys). Oh, these hinders really restore reminiscences of my youngster times. My former classmate (Ronnie Leong)'s loved ones got the new smooth in one of the hinders.

Anonymous said...

I kept in Redhill but frequented my cousin at Strathmore Ave almost regular. And time during the goes to were used at the old Queenstown group enjoying little league, carrom, etc with my relatives.

Outbound Call Center said...

I think this is around earth near the street creating farrar? I think it use to be near some big field?