The real Emerald Hill: Friends, neighbours and life beyond the global gaze

Singapore Chinese Girls’ School campus, reborn

The brief challenges developers to “celebrate the site’s rich heritage through sensitively developed spaces, a new-to-market hotel concept and first-of-its-kind lifestyle experiences”.

This vision is like an institutional shield for Emerald Hill home owners, who sustain a close, continual dialogue with agencies to keep their zone pleasant and peaceful.

With Emerald Hill encircled, including by luxury condos, how does the URA ensure that the estate’s physical and atmospheric boundaries remain largely insulated from relentless impingement while making space for the new?

“Conservation in Singapore is not about keeping places unchanged or insulating them from the evolution of the city,” explains Kelvin Ang, director of conservation management at the URA’s Conservation & Urban Design Group. 

“Rather, for established residential neighbourhoods such as Emerald Hill, it is about safeguarding their residential character and amenity as the surrounding city evolves,” he tells ST.

Ang points out that the precinct beautifully illustrates how conservation and development can successfully coexist.

While its conservation status permanently safeguards the key architectural features and streetscape, the URA carefully manages how the surrounding high-density commercial landscape “interfaces” with it.

This sensitive approach anchors the plans to redevelop 37 Emerald Hill Road. Three buildings here were gazetted for conservation in 2019, following a proposal by the SCGS Alumni Association, and will be woven into the new layout. 

Why open-door diplomacy wins

“The development has also been planned to minimise its impact on the adjoining Emerald Hill residential neighbourhood,” Ang says.

“Vehicular access will be kept away from Emerald Hill Road, and more active or potentially noisier uses will be located away from nearby residential developments.”

The developer is also required to comply with conservation and urban design guidelines, and provide heritage interpretation of the site’s history and social memories.

For Emerald Hill’s watchful players, these considered conditions reflect a fruitful dialogue with the state. 

“37 Emerald Hill Road is part of our estate, not of Orchard Road,” Helfer notes. “While we realise the risk of the estate potentially being impacted by a major redevelopment, we envision 37 Emerald Hill Road emerging as a vibrant and integral part of our estate and community, as it has in the past.”

He adds: “We look positively at the inclusion of new lifestyle pursuits and facilities provided within 37 Emerald Hill Road that will increase the liveability of the estate for its residents and visitors alike.”

Ang indicates that the resilience of the district cannot rely entirely on regulations. “Conservation is a shared responsibility involving the Government, residents, building owners and other stakeholders,” he says. 

“Ultimately, the continued success of a historic residential area such as Emerald Hill depends not only on sound conservation guidelines, but also on the care and stewardship of the community that calls it home.”

On a little street in Singapore

“The new owners of No. 37 will find us as good neighbours,” Helfer says warmly. 

“Proud of our heritage, protective of our community, concerned and mindful of the long-term welfare of our neighbourhood, as well as being respectful and supportive of our new neighbours, as they, we trust, will be of us.”

As evening falls and the global gaze drifts back to the bright lights of Orchard Road, the real Emerald Hill settles. 

Tomorrow, the insistent Instagram lovers will return to the shophouses, but behind the doors, the good neighbourly bonds endure. It will be another day for the residents who have chosen a chic, contemporary kampung on their own great little street in Singapore.