SINGAPORE – On a cool Monday morning, Bob Lee cycles solo to The Alkaff Mansion, Danish Seamen’s Church Singapore and Gillman Barracks, a scenic trio in Singapore’s south-west.
While he has passed these leafy places often, he now has a new reason to step off the pedals to look around.
The three spots are on the Singapore Land Authority’s (SLA) Rediscovery Trail, an urban treasure hunt curated around 25 state properties rolled out on July 14 to celebrate the statutory board’s 25th anniversary.
Lee, who has already speedily ridden to 12 of these locales and has until Sept 13 to leisurely complete the circuit, especially enjoyed the Danish Seamen’s Church Singapore nestled on Mount Faber.
“Its unique architecture and peaceful setting made it feel like somewhere outside Singapore,” says the owner of 808 Cycles, an authorised dealer for Brompton portable folding bicycles.
Cyclist Bob Lee at Danish Seamen’s Church Singapore, one of 25 state properties on SLA’s Rediscovery Trail. He has already visited 12 of these.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BOB LEE
“I was surprised to learn, upon further reading, that it was initially built as a private residence by descendants of Tan Tock Seng,” adds Lee, whose 2½-hour ride also encompassed the Rail Corridor and a detour up Mount Faber.
The route is a good motivation to cycle and learn at the same time, all done in eco-friendly style, observes the 47-year-old, whose default is to “experience Singapore in a slower and more observant way”.
Magic for domestic daytrippers
195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, an indie arts enclave, originally housed the Sikh contingent of the police force before functioning as a national security hub.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY
This is the magic of the Rediscovery Trail, which invites local explorers to take a slower, closer look at the city’s architectural canvas.
At the heart of the silver jubilee campaign is the trail. An SLA spokesperson describes it as “a nationwide, self-guided experience designed to entice and delight Singaporeans by encouraging them to rediscover Singapore’s built heritage with fresh eyes”.
“Featuring 25 heritage-rich state properties and sites, the trail showcases how familiar spaces have been thoughtfully adapted to serve today’s communities, reflecting SLA’s vision of ‘Limited Land. Unlimited Space’.”
Unlike conventional trails with fixed routes, visitors can explore sites in any order at their own time and pace, the spokesperson adds.
Keeper of nation’s properties
Chip Bee Gardens, built as married quarters for the British military, is now a trendy lifestyle cluster.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY
As the custodian of Singapore’s property portfolio, the SLA stewards vacant state assets for interim use. By activating sites that the Government has not yet earmarked for immediate development, the agency routinely repurposes properties and places into vibrant lifestyle and community hubs. It manages about 11,000ha of state land and about 2,600 properties.
A set of 25 has been handpicked to showcase a variety of assets and experiences. Dotted around Singapore, the curated trail ranges from viaducts to islands, and from decommissioned schools to colonial bungalows like Heritage@Scotts, a dining, retail and wellness hub.
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