Famous celebrity haunts, luxury homes, delectable food, a forest reserve, a horse racing track and the highest hill in Singapore are some of the highlights of District 10. Comprising of Bukit Timah, Farrer Park, Holland Village and Tanglin, it is a place that offers both the scenic view of nature and the closeness of city life.

Introduction/History

Bukit Timah

Towering the Bukit Timah Planning Area at an altitude of 164 metres is the highest hill in Singapore, Bukit Timah. It is part of the Central Region about 10 kilometres from the Central Business District (CBD). A favourite among property owners, it has a number of luxury bungalows and condominiums in the area. The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is located there, which adds to its high land value thanks to the abundant foliage beautifying the area compared to other parts of Singapore. The area is mainly populated by expatriates or well-to-do Singaporeans as it is expensive to own landed properties in Singapore. Bukit Timah was extended to Upper Bukit Timah later on. The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) from Malaysia has a station here along its railway network from Johor Bahru to Tanjong Pagar. The longest road in Singapore, the 25-km long Bukit Timah Road which runs from the north to the south of the island, got its name from the hill. In 1933, the Bukit Timah Race Course was opened and served as a Thoroughbred horse racing facility until it closed in 1999.

Farrer Park

The historic neighbourhood of Farrer Park is located within the urban planning area of Kallang. It is bounded by Dorset Road, Hampshire Road and Northumberland Road. This park is where the first Singapore racecourse was built and where Singapore’s aviation history began. Named after R.F. Farrer, the President of the Municipal Commissioners in the 1920s, Farrer Park and Farrer Road often cause for confusion as both places are located differently. In 1952 there was an abortive attempt to change the name of the road.

Holland Village

A small township near Buona Vista MRT Station, Holland Village is a popular food haunt among younger Singaporeans and expatriates. Nicknamed “Holland V”, its low-rise buildings are surrounded by high-rise HDB flats in the area. There will be a Holland Village MRT Station in 2010.

Tanglin

The Tanglin Planning Area is the name of the urban planning area in the Central Region of Singapore. In 2006, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) proposed to give the area a new facelift. It will be revamped to a lifestyle, education and arts centre. There are two tenders to be called by the end of 2006, one to revitalize six blocks of colonial buildings, opening a fencing school and a pet café and another one for the single colonial building next to Minden Road – used as a dance studio or childcare centre.

Amenities/Facilities

A number of educational institutions can be found in Bukit Timah including Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road), Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, Methodist Girls’ School, Hwa Chong Institution, National Junior College, Raffles Girls’ Primary School, Nanyang Primary School, Nanyang Girls’ High School, Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School and Saint Joseph’s Institution, amongst others. Fine dining and prominent bars can be found in Holland Village, such as Marmalade Pantry, Tapas Wine Bistro, Tango’s, Baden-Baden, Harry’s Bar and the most famous of all, Wala Wala. In Tanglin Village, alfresco bars like Hacienda and the celebrity haunt PS Café provides good food and entertainment.

Transportation

Buona Vista MRT station, Newton MRT Station as well as various bus services provide accessibility to other major parts of Singapore.

source: http://www.iproperty.com.sg/resources/District.aspx?nid=10