House of Tan Teng Niah, Building in Little India, Singapore
The House of Tan Teng Niah is a two-story building built in 1900 with brightly colored walls that draw attention from the street. It blends European and Chinese architectural styles and features eight rooms, carved wooden gates, and an overhanging roof that creates a covered walkway along the front.
The building was constructed in 1900 and is the last surviving Chinese villa of its type in Little India. Its owner Tan Teng Niah operated multiple factories, including one producing sweets from sugarcane and a rubber smoke-house that used leftover byproducts for fuel.
The house bears the name of its former owner Tan Teng Niah, a prosperous merchant, and reflects the Chinese traditions that were once central to this neighborhood. The carved wooden gates and wall scrolls with Chinese calligraphy show how cultural values were embedded in the building's design and craftsmanship.
The building is located in the Rochor neighborhood near Chinatown and is easy to find thanks to its bright colors standing out against nearby modern buildings. Access is straightforward, and it is worthwhile to allow time for a walk through nearby streets like Kerbau Road to see street art and other historic details.
The name Siew Song on a shiny brass nameplate above the door means elegant pine and may have been a good wish for the family or a symbol of endurance in Chinese culture. These fine details, like the carved wooden gates with elaborate patterns, show the craftsmanship from the time when the businessman built the house.
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