MERCHANT'S LEGACY: THREE HERITAGE GEMS

Located on the most busy street of Bugis and the culturally rich Kampong Glam district, 490, 492, and 494 North Bridge Road are a rare collection of heritage shophouses that retain their original Chinese characters and architectural authenticity. These beautifully preserved properties showcase classic late 19th to early 20th-century design elements, including ornate façades, traditional Chinese inscriptions (店号), and intricate plasterwork, reflecting the area’s historical significance as a bustling trading hub for early Chinese merchants.

North Bridge Road has long been a vital artery of Singapore’s urban development, originally serving as a key thoroughfare connecting the old Chinese quarters with the colonial civic district. These shophouses stand as silent witnesses to the area’s evolution—from a vibrant trading enclave to today’s dynamic mix of heritage and modernity.

Built during the British colonial era, these shophouses embody the fusion of Southern Chinese and European architectural styles typical of early 20th-century urban Singapore. Their preserved Chinese inscriptions hint at their past as teahouses, textile traders, or family businesses serving the multicultural communities of Kampong Glam. Unlike many shophouses that have been radically altered, this trio maintains remarkable original features such as air wells, and intricate plasterwork. Today, Kampong Glam retains its multicultural energy, with Arab Street’s textile shops, Haji Lane’s indie boutiques, and the majestic Sultan Mosque just moments away.