The end of an era as heritage gives way to housing development
Above The Grandstand shopping mall, a frozen clock tower casts its shadow over faded signs and weathered poles surrounding empty football fields. This defunct timepiece encapsulates the atmosphere of Turf City—a place in Bukit Timah seemingly trapped in time. But change is imminent.
By December 31, the 140-hectare site of Turf City, comprising The Grandstand, sports facilities, and old bungalows, will close to make way for a new housing development. Once home to the Singapore Turf Club from 1933 to 1999, remnants of its equestrian history linger in the overgrown stables and laborers’ quarters. Signs still caution drivers about horses crossing the road, even as the area’s charm fades into the past.
Turf City has been more than a forgotten corner of Singapore; it evolved into a unique community hub. From axe-throwing ranges and go-kart arenas to antique shops nestled amidst greenery, it offered an eclectic mix of spaces for recreation and nostalgia. But these pockets of organic growth will soon be replaced by construction dust and modernity.
A Community Displaced
For decades, Turf City provided a haven for families, sports enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs. Football matches filled its fields with laughter and camaraderie, while spaces like Rosebrook Developmental Centre and Paisano Polo Academy helped children with special needs engage with nature and animals. The center’s director, Monica Lim, highlights how the environment inspired exploration and healing.
However, tenants have long known this day would come. The redevelopment of Turf City was included in Singapore’s 1998 Master Plan, and its fate was sealed with a final lease extension announced in 2021.
Relocation has been difficult for many businesses. Rossa, a professional snooker academy, closed after just over a year in operation, citing high rents and limited options for licensed snooker rooms. Other businesses, like Ristorante Da Valentino, opted to pause operations entirely, waiting for better conditions to reopen.
Even those who found new locations face challenges. Gallop Stable, a horse-riding school, is downsizing to a much smaller site in Admiralty, significantly altering its operations. Meanwhile, Rosebrook continues to search for a suitable space.
The Loss of Soulful Spaces
Turf City’s closure underscores a broader issue in Singapore’s urban planning—an emphasis on efficient land use often comes at the expense of organic community growth. Monica laments the lack of naturally formed spaces in the city, describing other areas as overly controlled and devoid of the same spirit.
Zac Mirza, co-owner of Kult Kafe, echoes these sentiments, recalling how Turf City offered a vibrant space for art exhibitions, cultural events, and community gatherings. “Singapore doesn’t offer many soulful places anymore,” he remarks.
As tenants pack up and leave, Turf City’s memories will live on in the hearts of those who cherished its rustic charm. But as the area transforms into a residential neighborhood, its legacy will likely fade into the background—captured only in photographs and occasional exhibits.
The redevelopment of Turf City raises a question: in a city constantly reinventing itself, how do we preserve the intangible essence of places that shape our collective identity?
