Since the mid-2000s, Tiong Bahru has undergone rapid gentrification and the neighbourhood has become synonymous with trendy cafes and indie boutiques amid pre-war architecture.

[2] In 1927, 70 acres of land were acquired by Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) as a test case for a public housing estate.

To build the first-ever public housing estate in Singapore, the SIT had to remove cemeteries and displace some nearly 2000 squatters, while leveling the hilly terrain by cutting the hills nearly.

According to Tan Mok Lee, one of the first residents in the estate, the area was peaceful and had quite many empty flats, due to the costly monthly rent of $25 at that time.

[5] Due to close proximity to the Great World Amusement Park, there was a predominance of 'pipa girls' within the SIT estate, which is a more polite term for prostitutes.

In 1940, a series of construction plans were drawn to convert the motor garages at the back of the flats in Seng Poh Road into bomb shelters.

Then, Japanese soldiers who used British prisoners-of-war to perform duties and labour on site occupied many flats, which were also used as brothels and gambling dens.

The owners of song birds such as Prinias, Robins, and Shrikes would gather at the corner to meet and chat over tea and coffee.

[6] In 2010, the estate and its residents were the subject of the tenth of the Civic Life films by the Irish filmmakers, Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy.

It attracts a good number of high-income residential population due to its close proximity to the CBD, while retaining a traditional Singapore charm.

This featured an International Style with boxier, cleaner lines and modern materials such as steel, glass and concrete.

In addition, the design was the first time the climate was taken into consideration as it include tropical elements such as higher ceilings, large windows, and balconies.

Other facilities include a community centre opened in 1948; the 3.3 hectare Tiong Bahru Park; and Zhangde primary school.

The temple will organised grand Birthday Celebrations on the 16th day of the 1st and 8th Lunar Months, which include lion, dragon dances, and performances of Chinese street opera.

It was a concrete two storey structure with a wet market and retail stalls on the ground floor and upstairs, an area for hawkers.

There are tours of the market, surrounding blocks of flats and the nearby World War II air raid shelters.

[14] In 2012, the National Heritage Board created an exhibition near the Tiong Bahru market to commemorate the battle for Singapore.