Albert Street SIT Flat

Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) was set up in 1927 by the British colonial government in Singapore to build affordable public housing for the common population. In 32 years, it managed to build only 23,000 flats, mostly within or near the city area. It was replaced by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in 1960. HDB is celebrating its 50th year anniversary this year. However, with the recent run-up in prices for both public and private properties, people are divided as to whether HDB still provides affordable public housing.

Do you remember the quiz question which I asked of this photo in my blog post about traditional coffeeshop snacks? I asked readers where was this block located. Eight months has passed and nobody has come up with the correct answer yet.

Well, I have done some investigative work as well as attempted a second shot. I can now say with certainty that the block was located in a portion of Albert Street which is now called New Bugis Street. A view of New Bugis Street from Queen Street is show below:

Now compare the following photos:

Take note of the patterns on the pillar of the building which could be partially seen at the left edges of the above photos. Do they look similar?

Yes, and there you have it! The block was located in Albert Street, the street just next to Cheng Yan Place where I stayed in a similar block from 1956 till the mid-1970s. Today, the block which I stayed in has also been replaced with a red building (on the left of the photo below). The spanking new Iluma Shopping Centre is directly opposite. How I wish that it had opened 40 years ago!

But do you know when were the 2 blocks constructed? Ahh... I have the tender notice from Straits Times dated 5 December, 1947...

Singapore Improvement Trust

Tenders are invited for Concrete Piling at Albert Street and Cheng Yan Place.

Tender Form, etc. may be obtained at the office of the Trust on payment of a deposit of $50/- which will be refunded if a bona fide tender is submitted.

Sealed tenders are to be deposited in the Tender Box in the Office of the undersigned by 4 p.m. on 19 December, 1947.

The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted.

ALEX. GREENHILL,
Secretary,
Singapore Improvement Trust
Municipal Offices.

...as well as a 1946 aerial photo of the empty plots land:


Above is a map of the same area in 1961, with the two blocks indicated in red.

The two blocks of flats were constructed in the late 1940s and probably demolished in the early 1980s, some 30 years later.