Former Bukit Timah Turf Club Conservation | Purcell Architecture

Protecting Singapore's horse racing history

Introduction

In collaboration with the Department of Architecture at the National University of Singapore (NUS), we developed a comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and conservation strategy to support the transformation of the Bukit Timah site.

The Bukit Timah Racecourse, established in 1933, was a cornerstone of Singapore’s horse racing heritage for over 70 years.

A heritage site at the crossroads of change

After its closure in 1999, the 98-hectare site was repurposed into The Grandstand, blending commercial, recreational, and equestrian facilities. With the construction of the Cross Island Line Phase 2 (CRL2) and plans for residential development, the site stood at a pivotal juncture. We were commissioned during the projects inception to undertake a heritage appraisal of the site and to prepare a Statement of Significance. We further completed various Heritage Impact Assessments for a range of development options for the site that would aid decision making. In 2025 the Urban Redevelopment Authority subsequently proposed the site for conservation under the Draft Master Plan 2025, underscoring the national significance of this location.

Our supporting conservation guidelines and interpretation plan will assist in mitigating the impacts of future proposed works, while continuing to inform the site’s ongoing redevelopment proposals. The overarching intention was to provide future residents and visitors alike with the opportunity to know more about Bukit Timah racecourse’s history, and to appreciate the special nature of this place by virtue of conserving the heritage elements of value and improving accessibility to them.