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Amber Road

Amber Road, an L-shaped road, connects the junction of Haig Road and Mountbatten Road to Tanjong Katong Road. The road is named after Amber Elias, an early 20th century property owner. Popular landmarks on this road include the Chinese Swimming Club.

History
In 1921, a stretch of road running between Grove Road (now discontinued) and Tanjong Katong Road was named Amber Road, after a renowned property owner, the Elias family. Amber Elias was the mother of Joseph, Ezra and Issac Elias and they belonged to a well-known Jewish business family. Other places named after her is the Amber Building on Malacca Street and Amber Mansion on Orchard Road.

Amber Road was the scene of two tragic events in Singapore's history. During the Japanese Occupation, the beach across this road was used for Operation "Sook Ching", carried out to purge suspected anti-Japanese elements. As a result, many Chinese males were brought to the beach only to be slaughtered mercilessly by the Japanese soldiers. Amber road was also one of the worst hit areas during the Maria Hertogh Riots that took place in 1950.

Description
Pre-war and post-war landmarks
Located in the coastal area of Katong, Amber Road was full of old houses. Many rich Chinese towkays built their bungalows along the road's beach front. These bungalows had a unique design as they were modelled to protect its occupants from the island's tropical heat. The design was copied from houses in India that were built with the same function in mind. Mostly single-storeyed, the bungalows had wide eaves to provide shade and protection from rain. The bungalows were equipped with shutters that ensured privacy and breeziness. To provide under-floor ventilation, the bungalows were raised above the ground and fitted with high ceilings. The toilets, bathrooms, servants' quarters and kitchens were often separated from the main house and connected to the house by covered walkways.

A prominent house on Amber Road was the Mandalay Villa, built in the 1902 by Lee Choon Guan. Mandalay Villa measured a total of 53,000 sq. ft. and was a beautiful bungalow that came with two huge angsanas, intricate carvings and a distinctive-looking facade. During the Japanese Occupation, a large portion of the house was destroyed by a bomb, and the house was used as a Japanese General's residence. It was sold between the late 1970s and early 1980s and demolished to make way for a condominium project.

Another prominent landmark on Amber Road is the Chinese Swimming Club which survived the war and exists till date. It was established in 1905 by a group of six Chinese as an answer to the Singapore Swimming Club. The latter was set up by the British and patronage was limited to mostly caucasians. The Chinese Swimming Club was an institution for the Chinese Peranakan, and was a gathering place for many Katong residents. The Chinese Swimming Club had undergone a renovation in 2003 that equipped the club with new facilities such as a new 12-lane bowling alley, eight badminton courts and five swimming pools.

Kampong Amber, a Malay fishermen kampong, used to exist in the area between East Coast Road and Amber Road. The hawkers from Kampong Amber fed the fishermen and anyone else with cheap local dishes like mee rebus, lontong or nasi lemak at less than three cents a portion. The villagers lived side by side with the wealthy Chinese towkays, most notable of whom was the Lee Choon Guan. The people of Kampong Amber would join in the birthday celebrations of Mrs. Lee every year. When kampongs were phased out in the 1970s and 1980s, Kampong Amber also disappeared. High rise flats were constructed at the site later.

Towards the end of Amber Road, in Amber Close along East Coat Road, the Sea View Hotel used to stand. Opened in 1969, the 18-storey hotel was a popular landmark and was once called the "jewel of Katong" for the luxury it provided to its guests. It was closed in 2003 due to financial problems. The Jin Fu Apartments, built in 1985, was put up for en-bloc sale in 1995. Made up of 18 apartments, it was located next to the Chinese Swimming Club.

Today, the road presents a serene picture. Some old 2-storey houses that form interesting specimens of architecture are found here. Other residential on this road include the Amber Towers, Amber Point, Amber Apartments, Amber Lodge, Parkway Mansion, Parkway Apartments and Orchid Mansion.



Author
Naidu Ratnala Thulaja



References 
Dunlop, P. K. G. (2000). Street names of Singapore (p. 4). Singapore: Who's Who Publications.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 DUN)

Edwards, N., & Keys, P. (1996). Singapore: A Guide to buildings, streets & places (pp. 291, 302). Singapore, Kuala Lumpur: Times Books International.
(Call no.: R SING 959.57 EDW)

Kong, L., & Chang, T.C. (2001). Joo Chiat: A living legacy (pp. 49, 111, 122-123). Singapore: Archipelago Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 KON)

Low, E. S. L., & et al. (2002). Life in Katong (p. 3). Singapore: National Library Board.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 LIF)

Savage, V. R., & Yeoh, B. S .A. (2003). Toponymics: A study of Singapore street names (p. 36). Singapore: Eastern Universities Press.
(Call no.: SING 915.9570014 SAV)

Jafri, M. (1993, January). A Katong story. Marie Claire, 20-22
.
Jiang, G. (1998, July 14). It was absolute madness. The Straits Times, Home Focus, p. 28.

Tan, C., & Tan, C. (1999, October 19). Five latest offerings could raise $ 513m. The Straits Times, Money, p. 54.

Teo, G. (1998, June 1). It all began 90 years ago with 6 pals. The Straits Times, Home Focus, p. 31. 

Teo, G. (2003, August 26). Laidback and rundown, Sea View Hotel will soon close. The Straits Times, Life!


Further Readings
Singapore Chinese Swimming Club: 88 years and beyond. (pp. 46-50). (1988). Singapore: Singapore Chinese Swimming Club.
(Call no.: RSING 797.200605957 SIN) 

Amber Road apartment owners unite for en bloc sale. (1995, November 08). The Straits Times, p. 39.

En bloc sale for East Coast apartment. (1995, November 08). The Business Times, p. 3. 

The information in this article is valid as at 2003 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Architecture and Landscape>>Streets and Places
Architecture and Landscape>>Building Types>>Residential Buildings
Geography>>Population>>Urban Planning
Ethnic Communities>>Customs and Traditions
Street names--Singapore
Jews--Singapore
Arts>>Architecture>>Residential buildings

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>> Joseph Aaron Elias


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