Family of late architect Ho Kok Hoe puts Camden Park GCB on the market for $55.888 mil
A 1960s Good Class Bungalow at Camden Park is up for sale at $55.888 million or $1,868 psf (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
The family of the late Singaporean artist and architect Ho Kok Hoe has listed his former home — a Good Class Bungalow (GCB) in Camden Park, off Adam Road — for sale at $55.888 million.
Ho purchased the property in 1968, and it remained his residence for nearly five decades until his passing in 2015 at the age of 93.
A property title search shows that the GCB was transferred in 2008 to his three sons—Ho Kah Kui, Ho Kah Chun, and Ho Kah Keh—each holding a one-third stake. The property remains their family home.
When Ho first acquired the property, the 29,918 sq ft freehold site was occupied by a single-storey bungalow. He renovated the house in 1968, preserving much of its original charm.
The rear patio and garden of the original single-storey bungalow at Camden Park back in November 1969 (Photo: Ho family)
Given the site’s sloping terrain, a single-storey extension was added, with a lower-ground family area carved into the hillside.
Kah Keh, Ho’s youngest son and an executive coach, recalls that the swimming pool—first installed in the early 1970s — was rebuilt four times over the years.
In 1997, Ho carried out a more extensive renovation and expansion. A second and third storey were added to the house. The interiors were reconfigured to create a comfortable home with nine en suite bedrooms, spacious living and dining areas, and a study. As part of the renovation, the patio — last updated in 1968 — was enclosed and, together with the living area, now provides a larger space for entertaining.
The result is the current 800 sqm (8,611 sq ft) residence, which features a swimming pool, a large koi pond, and a terraced garden, says Kah Keh.
Ho Kok Hoe with his artworks, pictured during his tenure as president of the Singapore Art Society (1954–1968) (Source: NLB)
A creative legacy
The house carries a nostalgic feel, evoking a bygone era and a life shaped by creativity. Ho was a prominent architect, artist, and art collector. He served as president of the Singapore Art Society from 1954 to 1968 and again from 1981 to 1983.
His father, Ho Kwong Yew, was also an architect and artist. In fact, Kwong Yew was the first local Asian to be registered as an architect in Singapore. Following the introduction of the Architect's Ordinance in 1927, he passed the inaugural professional examination conducted by the Board of Architects.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Ho pursued architecture as well. After graduating with a degree in architecture from Sydney, Australia, he returned to Singapore in 1951. He was hired by Swan & Maclaren, Singapore’s oldest architectural firm, founded in 1887 during the British colonial period.
After his stint there, Ho established the architectural firm Ho Kwong Yew & Sons in honour of his father. He was later joined by his brothers, Kok Kit and Kok Yin, and they ran the practice together until the late 1980s.
Ho Kok Hoe designed St Andrew’s Village school complex in Potong Pasir (1997) [Photo: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore]
Among the notable buildings Ho designed were the National Museum of Malaysia (1963), the Haw Par Tiger Balm Building in Jurong (early 1970s), and the St Andrew’s Village school complex in Potong Pasir (1997).
In addition to architecture, Ho was also an accomplished painter, having learned from both his father and grandfather, the latter a skilled calligrapher. Ho’s work can still be seen at the chapel of St Joseph’s Institution at Malcolm Road, where he designed the stained-glass depiction of the Risen Christ installed above the altar.
He also briefly ventured into politics, winning the River Valley seat under the Labour Front banner in the 1957 City Council elections.
The entrance and driveway of the Good Class Bungalow at Camden Park, originally built in the 1960s (Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
Letting go of a legacy asset
After 57 years in the family, the three sons have decided to sell their Camden Park home. According to Kah Keh, the decision is part of the move to consolidate the family’s property holdings.
The exclusive marketing agent for the property is Pearl Tan, principal consultant at Realstar Premier Group.
According to Tan, the $55.888 million asking price translates to $1,868 psf based on land area. “With close to 30,000 sq ft of land, the property is likely to attract ultra-high-net-worth families, especially multi-generational ones,” she says.
The site has a frontage of 50.1m and a depth of 58.2m. Given its size of 29,918 sq ft, the future owner may, subject to approval, apply to URA to subdivide the land into two smaller GCB plots.
One of the property’s key draws is its location within Camden Park — a GCB Area comprising just 26 houses across 588,000 sq ft, with an average plot size of 22,615 sq ft.
“Camden Park is a small, private community with a mix of predominantly local families and some expatriates,” says Kah Keh.
Located in prime District 11, Camden Park is just a five-minute drive from the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and 10 minutes from Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Orchard Road. “It’s very accessible,” Kah Keh adds.
The site has a frontage of 50.1m and a depth of 58.2m. Given its size of 29,918 sq ft, the future owner may, subject to approval, apply to URA to subdivide the land into two smaller GCB plots (Source: EdgeProp Landlens)
GCB deals in the Camden Park area
According to URA caveats, the last GCB transaction in Camden Park occurred in September 2021, when a 16,607 sq ft freehold site changed hands for $32.5 million ($1,957 psf).
Nearby, at Jalan Asuhan, a GCB on a 16,396 sq ft freehold plot fetched $42 million ($2,562 psf), based on a caveat lodged in May 2023. In November 2023, a GCB at Chee Hoon Avenue, sitting on an 11,064 sq ft freehold plot, was sold for $26.7 million ($2,413 psf) in a deal brokered by JLL.
A newly completed GCB at Chee Hoon Avenue was believed to have sold for $55 million ($3,553 psf) last year. The property is sitting on a freehold site of around 15,480 sq ft.
Against the backdrop of recent transactions, Realstar’s Tan considers the $1,868 psf asking price for the Camden Park property “attractive”.
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