Located opposite Balestier Point, this row of shophouses was built in 1926 by a female developer called Madam Sim Cheng Neo who also owned many other properties in the area.
It was designed by the architect firm of Westerhout and Oman. It is often referred to as the “Sim Kwong Ho” building as the name is inscribed on the front of the building. According to residents in the area, there is a dog centrepiece feature that had gone missing, but they have no idea when it disappeared.
The corner unit (No. 312) used to house a 1960s-styled coffee-shop with high back to back seats along the walls, with formica-topped narrow tables that will bring back many fond memories of the traditional coffee shop or kopi tiam for older Singaporeans. This coffee shop had been in operation for at least 60 years but the third generation of owners discontinued the business. Now it is just another modern coffee-shop with stainless steel stalls and plastic furniture.