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For Singaporean parents, the weekends are a constant juggle of tuition, enrichment classes, and the desperate search for “somewhere new” to go. But sometimes, the best lessons aren’t found in a textbook or a ticketed attraction—they are found in the concrete history of our own estates.
Bringing your children to Singapore’s oldest HDB blocks is a fantastic (and free) way to show them how we transitioned from kampungs to high-rises. It is a chance to snap some heritage-style family photos and explain that, yes, people did live without lifts on every floor once upon a time.
Here are 10 of the oldest and most iconic HDB blocks to visit with your little ones.
Block 45, Stirling Road which, along with blocks 48 and 49, is among Singapore's oldest HDB blocks. The blocks house tenants in one-, two- and three-room units, and some of them have lived there since they were built 55 years ago.
The Very First HDBs: Blocks 45, 48 & 49 Stirling Road
If you only visit one location, make it this one. Completed in October 1960, these three blocks are officially the first flats completed by the HDB after they took over from the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT). They are only seven storeys high—affectionately known in Hokkien as qik lau by the older generation. It is a great spot to show your kids the “landed” feel of early public housing, where neighbours could shout to each other from the ground floor.
- Address: 45, 48, 49 Stirling Road, Singapore 141045.
- Parking: Surface car parks are available immediately surrounding the blocks (Coupon/Electronic parking).
- Public Transport: A 10-minute walk from Queenstown MRT (Exit B).
- Nearest Toilet: Public toilets are available at the Mei Ling Market & Food Centre (Block 159), just a short walk away.
Street view of Moh Guan Terrace in Tiong Bahru.
The “Horse Shoe” Block: Block 78 Moh Guan Terrace
Located in the heart of hip Tiong Bahru, this block is an architectural marvel from the pre-HDB (SIT) era, completed around 1940. It is famous for its unique U-shape “horse shoe” design and contains a purpose-built air-raid shelter—the first of its kind in a public housing estate. It is a history lesson on World War II and architectural heritage wrapped in one.
- Address: 78 Moh Guan Terrace, Singapore 162078.
- Parking: Limited street parking along Moh Guan Terrace and Guan Chuan Street; more lots available at the HDB car park near Tiong Bahru Market.
- Public Transport: 10-minute walk from Tiong Bahru MRT or Havelock MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Tiong Bahru Market, which is arguably the cleanest option nearby.
Street view of Block 82 Commonwealth Close.
Street view of Block 82 Commonwealth Close.
The First Skyscrapers: Blocks 81, 82 & 83 Commonwealth Close
In the early 1960s, these blocks were the marvel of the nation. Standing at 16 storeys, they were dubbed in Hokkien as the Chap Lak Lau (16 storeys) and were the first HDB blocks to break the 10-storey height barrier. They were so significant that foreign dignitaries were often brought here to view the success of Singapore’s housing programme. The view from the corridors is still breezy and impressive today.
- Address: 81 Commonwealth Close, Singapore 140081.
- Parking: Multi-storey car park at Block 86A or surface parking nearby.
- Public Transport: 5-minute walk from Commonwealth MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Coffeeshop toilets at Block 81 itself, or the Commonwealth Crescent Market (Block 31).
The VIP Block: Block 53 Toa Payoh Lorong 5
This block is unique for its “Y” shape design, a rarity in Singapore. Completed in 1967, it was the showpiece of Toa Payoh New Town and hosted high-profile guests like Queen Elizabeth II in 1972. The Y-shape was designed to maximise ventilation and views. It is a perfect spot to teach children about shapes and geometry in architecture.
- Address: 53 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310053.
- Parking: Surface car park right at the foot of the block.
- Public Transport: Bus services from Toa Payoh MRT or Bradell MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: TPY Lorong 4 Blk 93 Market and Food Centre is a short walk away.
The 60s Skyscraper: Selegie House (Blocks 8, 9 & 10)
When opened in 1963 by then-PM Lee Kuan Yew, Block 9 of Selegie House was the tallest public housing block in Singapore at 20 storeys. These blocks were built to house residents resettled from the dilapidated shophouses of the city centre. Today, the towering blocks painted with red and yellow accents still command a striking presence near Little India.
- Address: 8 Selegie Road, Singapore 180008.
- Parking: Public car park available at Selegie House (entrance via Short Street).
- Public Transport: 5-minute walk from Rochor MRT or Little India MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Toilets are available within the commercial shops at the void deck or at the nearby GR.iD mall (formerly PoMo).
The “Butterfly” Block: Block 168A Queensway
This is one for the architecture fans. Completed in 1973, this block features distinct curved wings that resemble a butterfly. It was an experimental design to break the monotony of the standard “slab” blocks of the era. The curves create unique pockets of space along the corridor, which makes for a very interesting walk-through with the kids.
- Address: 168A Queensway, Singapore 140168.
- Parking: Park at Queensway Shopping Centre or the HDB car park at Mei Ling Street.
- Public Transport: Buses available from Queenstown MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Queensway Shopping Centre (just next door).
Consisting of about 500 units, this HDB was completed in the early seventies and had its 99-year lease starting on 1 January 1972.
The “Banana” Block: Block 34 Whampoa West
If Queensway is the butterfly, Whampoa West is the banana. Completed in 1972, this incredibly long block curves along the road, earning it its fruity nickname. The corridor seems to stretch on forever, which kids usually find fascinating (and tiring, if you make them walk the whole length!). It is a prime example of how HDB adapted buildings to fit the physical terrain of the road.
- Address: 34 Whampoa West, Singapore 330034.
- Parking: Open air car park behind the block (access via Bendemeer Road).
- Public Transport: Immediate access to Boon Keng MRT (Exit B).
- Nearest Toilet: Bendemeer Market & Food Centre or Boon Keng MRT station.
Street view of 2 Kitchener Road.
The Art Deco Gem: Block 2 Kitchener Road
Often overshadowed by Tiong Bahru, the Jalan Besar area has its own set of SIT flats that are equally charming. Block 2 Kitchener Road (and the nearby Maude Road blocks) features Art Deco elements, spiral staircases, and a distinct “shophouse” feel on the ground floor. It is a colourful, vibrant area that feels like a step back into the 1950s.
- Address: 2 Kitchener Road, Singapore 200002.
- Parking: Roadside parking along Kitchener Road or the multi-storey car park at Jalan Besar Plaza.
- Public Transport: 5-minute walk from Lavender MRT or Jalan Besar MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Mustafa Centre or Jalan Besar Plaza.
The Clover Block: Block 259 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2
While slightly newer (completed in 1981), this block is the only one of its kind in Singapore. It consists of four circular towers combined to form a four-leaf clover shape. The flats inside are actually circular! It is a “must-see” because it represents a bold, experimental era of HDB design that was never repeated due to the high construction costs.
- Address: 259 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2, Singapore 560259.
- Parking: HDB electronic parking available at the block.
- Public Transport: Bus from Ang Mo Kio MRT; it sits opposite Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
- Nearest Toilet: Kebun Baru Market and Food Centre (Block 226) or the public toilets at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
The Book City: Bras Basah Complex (Blocks 231 & 232)
Parents will know this as the place to buy assessment books, but it is also a distinctive HDB mixed-development completed in 1980. It was designed to bring life back to the city centre after families moved out to new towns. It remains the “City of Books” and offers a great cultural excursion. You can explore the open-air galleries and let the kids run around the playground on the rooftop of the adjacent structure.
- Address: 231 Bain Street, Singapore 180231.
- Parking: Basement car park within Bras Basah Complex.
- Public Transport: Short walk from Bras Basah MRT or Bugis MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Public toilets are located on every floor of the complex (bring 10/20 cents, just in case!).