Government completes acquisition and takes possession of 38 Oxley Road site

A ministerial committee released a report in April 2018 with three proposals – retaining the house in whole; retaining just the historic basement dining room; or allowing demolition. The report made no recommendations and noted “there (was) no need to make a decision on the property” at the time, as Dr Lee Wei Ling was still living there.

After Dr Lee’s passing in October 2024, the Urban Redevelopment Authority received an application from Mr Lee Hsien Yang to demolish the building at 38 Oxley Road.

In the same month, the NHB launched a formal assessment of the site to determine if it was worthy of preservation.

In its assessment, the Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board assessed the site as having “strong national significance worthy of preservation as a national monument”, describing it as a foundational part of Singapore’s independence that is “not represented by any other site or monument”.

Mr Lee Hsien Yang criticised the announcement. In a Facebook post on Nov 3, 2025, he wrote that the ruling government had “chosen to trample on Lee Kuan Yew’s unwavering wish to demolish his private house”.

NHB reviewed his objection letter and maintained its recommendation that the site was worthy of preservation as a national monument for its historic significance and national importance.

Then-Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo said on Nov 6, 2025, that the preservation of the site was not about memorialising any single leader, but safeguarding Singapore’s history for future generations.