SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) -The pandemic has cast a spotlight on the need for ways to relieve the pressures of everyday life, and many who have been holed up in the city-state have turned to nature for reprieve. The neighbourhoods of Dairy Farm and Hillview in Singapore’s west, with sprawling verdant nature parks and trails, offer such an escape from reality. (See also: Dairy Farm Residences sold 35 out of 80 units at initial weekend launch)
The star of the Hillview enclave is the Rail Corridor, which takes nature lovers through a range of landscapes and unique experiences. Formerly a railway that was used to transport goods between Singapore and Malaysia, the Rail Corridor has been enhanced by National Parks Board (NParks) with a focus on three themes — heritage & culture, biodiversity & greenery, and recreation — to create “meaningful experiences for everyone”.
Some elements of the central route have already been gazetted for conservation. The central route stretches from the Bukit Timah truss bridge at Hillview at one end, to the Upper Bukit Timah truss bridge at King Albert Park at the other. Known to be popular photography spots, both steel bridges have been gazetted for conservation since 2015. The old Bukit Timah Railway Station, gazetted for conservation since 2011, is currently undergoing refurbishment.
Nearby, the Dairy Farm Nature Park spans some 75ha and offers multiple trails for hiking and biking. There is also a former granite quarry that is easily accessible via a walking trail. The quarry is now a tourist destination.
Formerly a cow shed, The Wallace Education Centre within the park features an education gallery with interactive exhibits about insects and wildlife in Dairy Farm. The Dairy Farm Nature Park used to house a dairy farm, home to Friesian cows that produced high-quality pasteurised milk.
Nature lovers can also enjoy hiking and biking trails at Chestnut Nature Park, which occupies 64ha of land. There is an observation tower, Chestnut Tower, offering visitors a scenic view of the immediate greenery.
Within the Hillview estate, HillV2 is a mixed development along Hillview Rise that boasts a selection of F&B eateries. There is Joyden, serving Cantonese cuisine; Wine Connection Bistro for wine lovers; and iO Italian Osteria, which serves authentic Italian cuisine.
The Rail Mall, meanwhile, is a 99-year leasehold commercial property along Upper Bukit Timah Road. The development comprises 43 single-storey shop units, 95 private car-park lots and 360m of main road frontage on Upper Bukit Timah Road. It is a three-minute walk from Hillview MRT Station on the Downtown Line. Current tenants include Cold Storage, The Straits Wine Company, Subway and Springleaf Prata Place.
For those who enjoy bargain hunting, there is a thrift store at Salvation Army Praisehaven. Located right outside an exit of Hillview MRT Station, the shop sells pre-loved household wares, clothes, vintage earrings and rings, shoes, baby items such as prams and baby clothes, and used furniture.
Along Upper Bukit Timah Road, a 15-minute walk from Hillview MRT Station, lies the Former Ford Factory, where British forces surrendered to the Imperial Japanese Army on Feb 15, 1942. The exhibition showcases three intertwining narratives highlighting Japanese aggression, British defences and civilians’ struggle amid the war. Guests will be able to visit the exact boardroom where the surrender took place.
Located along Petir Road and Dairy Farm Road, a 14-minute walk from Hillview MRT Station, the upcoming Dairy Farm Residences is set to rejuvenate the area once it is completed in 2024. The 99-year leasehold site occupies about 211,488 sq ft of land, and will be the first unique integrated development in the Dairy Farm vicinity with a two-level retail podium. Facilities at the development include a gourmet supermarket, a food hall, a childcare centre, F&B and retail shops, offering one-stop convenience for residents living within the vicinity.
Plans are also underway to transform the Beauty World precinct, one stop away from Hillview MRT Station. In June 2020, the Singapore government launched a commercial and residential site of 3.22ha at Jalan Anak Bukit for sale, emphasising that the future development will need to include well-designed public spaces and pedestrian networks that integrate seamlessly with public transport.
The tender closed in June this year with five bids, three of which were joint bids by developers Far East Organization and Sino Group. The other two bids submitted were from Allgreen Properties with Kerry Properties and Kerry Holdings; and Wing Tai Holdings with Mercatus Commercial Trust I.
Plans for future development include a one-stop integrated facility comprising a community club, redeveloped market and hawker centre, an indoor sports hall, community library and elderly facility. The precinct has also been earmarked as a green urban village, with access to the Rail Corridor, the Coast-to-Coast Trail, and Rifle Range Nature Park.
Parts of the Beauty World locale are named after members of the Cheong family, who owned land and developed residential properties in the neighbourhood. These include Cheong Chin Nam Road and Chun Tin Road, and the adjacent byroads of Yuk Tong Avenue and Tham Soong Avenue.
Today, the enclave is also known for its eateries, with popular dining spots along Cheong Chin Nam Road and in the larger Bukit Timah area. Along the stretch of Cheong Chin Nam Road are a host of eateries such as Joo Seng, serving Teochew porridge; Al-Azhar and Ameen Makan House, offering halal Indian food; and an outlet of Boon Tong Kee, which is famous for its chicken rice.
Check out the latest listings near The Rail Mall, Dairy Farm Residences, Hillview MRT Station