Completed in 1981, Block 259 was an experiment in design by the HDB as part of the agency's plans in the late 1970s to build seven distinctively designed public housing blocks. The intention for such an undertaking was to break the monotony in public housing architecture, as well as to create a sense of identity in each new town through these landmarks.
The point block consists of 96 five-room flats, with four units per floor. Unlike most other housing blocks, solid bricks were used in its construction instead of conventional hollow bricks. The design is such that the bedrooms in every unit face the north or south while living rooms and kitchens face the east or west. This ensures that the flats stay cool through the day. The rooms are also bigger than those in the usual five-room flat.
Building costs for Block 259 were significantly higher than for the conventional public housing blocks. As such, the launch price for the flats was much higher too, at above $110,000. Many of its first residents were resettled from Hougang, Kampong San Theng and Potong Pasir.
The building received mixed reviews when it was first launched. While some praised it for its unique design, there were those who criticised it for its impracticality and higher costs incurred in renovation as customisation was needed to fit the furnishings along the curved walls. On top of that, few interior designers and renovation companies in those days had experience in designing for circular flats.
Nonetheless, over the years, the building gradually gained a reputation for its uniqueness and the residents here are well-known for their strong "kampung" spirit as many of them are long-time neighbours. The residents also initiate community efforts such as keeping a lookout for each other's vehicles to prevent attempted car thefts and circulating contact details. Today, these flats are highly sought after by prospective home-owners.