SINGAPORE'S SIX STYLES OF HERITAGE SHOPHOUSES

EMERALD HILL SHOPHOUSES

DISCOVERING SINGAPORE’S ICONIC SHOPHOUSES

The first of a Six Blog series about discovering Singapore’s Heritage Shophouses

A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND STYLE

Few architectural forms capture the soul of Singapore quite like the shophouse, with their narrow façades, intricate ornamentation, and deep rooted heritage, these colorful buildings stand as living testaments to the city’s evolution, from humble trading port to world class metropolis. Each shophouse tells a story, not just of the people who lived and worked within its walls, but also of the cultural and artistic influences that shaped its design.

This six part blog series, “The Six Styles of Singapore Shophouses,” takes you on a fascinating journey through more than two centuries of architectural history. From the simplicity of the Early Style, inspired by colonial practicality, to the lavish ornamentation of the Late Style, bursting with decorative tiles and Baroque flair, each era reflects a chapter in Singapore’s unique multicultural story. We’ll explore how styles evolved alongside trade, prosperity, and urban planning, culminating in the sleek, modern adaptations seen today.

Geylang area Shophouses - Serangoon Rd

Along the way, you’ll discover where to find the best preserved examples across neighbourhoods like, Chinatown, Little India, Emerald Hill, Blair Road, Telok Ayer, Dempset Hill and Joo Chiat-The Geylang area, and discover how restoration efforts keep these heritage treasures alive amid the ever changing skyline. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a history lover, or simply curious about the character of old Singapore, this series will open your eyes to the beauty, symbolism, and enduring charm of these remarkable buildings.

Join us as we step back in time, one shophouse at a time and uncover the stories behind the six distinct styles that define Singapore’s architectural heartbeat.

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SIMPLE BEGINNINGS

Telok Ayer Shophouses

EARLY SHOPHOUSE STYLE (1840–1900)

When Singapore was first established as a bustling trading post in the 19th century, simplicity was everything. The city’s earliest residents, Chinese, Indian, and Malay merchants, needed practical spaces that could serve as both home and business. From these modest beginnings emerged what we now call the Early Shophouse Style, the foundation of Singapore’s rich architectural heritage. What began as practical architecture evolved, over decades, into vibrant works of art. As Singapore prospered and diverse communities flourished, new materials, craftsmanship, and foreign influences began to shape the city’s streetscape. The Early Shophouse marks the first step in that transformation, a humble yet enduring symbol of survival, adaptability, and community spirit.

These early buildings were not built to impress but to endure. Typically two storeys tall, they featured a shopfront on the ground level and living quarters above, providing shelter and livelihood under one roof. The façades were plain and unadorned, with whitewashed plaster walls, timber framed windows, and clay tiled roofs that sloped gently to handle tropical rains. Long, narrow floor plans made the most of limited urban plots, and the now famous “five-foot way” offered shade to pedestrians while keeping the shopfront dry, a design requirement first introduced by Sir Stamford Raffles himself.

ARCHITECTURE BORN OF NECESSITY

The Early Style is often described as “utilitarian elegance.” Though simple, it reflected careful adaptation to climate and culture. Thick brick or masonry walls helped regulate temperature, and inner courtyards allowed for light and ventilation long before air conditioning was imagined. Every detail served a purpose: shutters controlled heat and privacy, while floor tiles and timber beams came from local and regional sources, reflecting Singapore’s role as a hub of maritime trade.

The Five-foot way

WHERE TO SEE EARLY SHOPHOUSES TODAY

Very few pure examples of Early Style shophouses survive, making them architectural treasures. Some of the best preserved examples can still be found along Telok Ayer Street, Chinatown (South Bridge Road), and sections of Boat Quay. Their quiet façades stand in striking contrast to the glass towers that now surround them, a visual reminder of how far the city has come.

If you’re exploring on a Singapore photo walk, look for telltale signs: small upper windows, plain plastered fronts, and minimal ornamentation. Early shophouses photograph beautifully in soft morning light, where shadows reveal subtle textures in their weathered walls and timber shutters.

Next, in our series, we’ll explore how these simple designs evolved into something more ornate and expressive with The Transitional Shophouse Style (1900–1910), a period when local builders began to blend tradition with artistic flair.

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TELOK AYER - DAY TRIP

GOOGLE MAPS IS YOUR BEST FRIEND, So you must have a working Handphone for directions.

Your estimated Walking distance is about 4-5 Kilometres

TELOK AYER’S EARLY STYLE SHOPHOUSES

Tucked between temples, mosques, and the city’s modern skyline, Telok Ayer holds some of Singapore’s most authentic glimpses into the past. Along these narrow streets, rows of Early Style shophouses stand quietly, their simple lines, timber shutters, and clay tiled roofs a reflection of a time when traders and immigrants first built their lives here in the early 1800s.

This was once the waterfront where sailors arrived and merchants set up shop, long before land reclamation pushed the sea away. Walking through Telok Ayer today feels like tracing the roots of Singapore’s multicultural story, where Chinese, Indian, and Malay influences met, traded, and blended into something uniquely local.

Each shophouse here tells its own tale, of commerce, faith, and community, etched into weathered wood and timeworn walls. Amid the hum of the modern city, Telok Ayer remains a living link to Singapore’s earliest chapters.

EXPLORING TELOK AYER’S

EARLY STYLE HERITAGE SHOPHOUSES

DIRECTIONS

Start your journey at Telok Ayer MRT Station on the Downtown (Blue) Line. Use Exit B or C, then head toward the Fuk Tak Chi Museum, one of Singapore’s oldest Chinese temples, now beautifully restored as a heritage museum. Step inside Far East Square from here to explore its charming mix of history, architecture, and dining options. You may even want to return in the evening for dinner and drinks, it’s a great spot for happy hour.

Next, open Google Maps and meander through Amoy Street, Telok Ayer Street, and Stanley Street. Take your time, these lanes are lined with some of the most beautifully preserved Early Style shophouses in Singapore, each with its own character and story.

TIP - Some of the most beautiful Shophouses are located on Telok Ayer Street, so don't miss seeing them.

When you’re ready for a break, stop by the Amoy Street Food Centre for some delicious hawker fare and an ice cold drink. Or, if you prefer a slightly more upscale experience, head over to Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre, a local favorite set in a stunning cast iron heritage building.

Enjoy your stroll  as this walk through Telok Ayer is truly a journey through Singapore’s living history.

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SINGAPORE'S SIX STYLES OF HERITAGE SHOPHOUSES

A Six Blog series about discovering Singapore’s Heritage Shophouses

1. EARLY SHOPHOUSE STYLE OF THE 1840 –1900

2. FIRST TRANSITIONAL SHOPHOUSE STYLE OF THE EARLY 1900

3. SECOND TRANSITIONAL SHOPHOUSE STYLE OF THE LATE 1930's

4. LATE SHOPHOUSE STYLE OF THE 1900 –1940

5. ART DECO SHOPHOUSE STYLE OF THE 1930's –1960's

6. MODERN SHOPHOUSE STYLE OF THE 1950's –1960's