Meyer Road stretches from Tanjong Rhu Road to Tanjong Katong Road. Meyer Road today, is a prime residential district with private houses as well as condominiums. A stone's throw away from the East Coast Park, Meyer Road is easily accessible by the East Coast Expressway extending from the city to the Changi International Airport.
Fort Road runs between Meyer Road and the East Coast Parkway. The famous Katong Park sits here. This park used to house a fort during the pre-war years. The walls of the fort were five foot high and were encircled by a moat with a wooden drawbridge. The tunnels led to different directions with the face of the fort facing the sea, fortifying the island against a possible sea attack. However, this magnificent fort was demolished after the World War I, making way for the existing park. Other landmarks along this road include the Katong Park Hotel, previously known as the Duke Hotel or the Ambassador's Hotel. Crescent Flats, built in 1909 and Meyer Apartments, built in 1928, were thought to be the earliest flats in Singapore both built by Manasseh Meyer. The crescent curve of the flats are based on a similar design of terrace houses in Bath.
It is named either after Sir Reuben Manasseh Meyer, the Jewish businessman who built the Chesed-El Synagogue, or after Arnold Otto Meyer, founder of Behn Meyer & Co. Both men had established businesses in the 1840s. Otto Meyer was one of the seven Germans who started the Teutonia Club.
Author
Renuka M.
References
Dunlop, P. K. G. (2000). Street names of Singapore. Singapore: Who's Who Publications.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 DUN)
Edwards, N., & Keys, P. (1988). Singapore: A guide to buildings, streets, places. Singapore: Times Books International.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 EDW)
Meyer Road flats to make way for condo. (1991, October 21). The Straits Times, p. 22.
Save historic Meyar Road flats, urged readers, experts. (1991, October 31). The Straits Times, p. 23.
The information in this article is valid as at 2002 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.
