Further along Commonwealth Drive towards the direction of Commonwealth Avenue, there exists yet another first for Singapore's first satellite town. Our very first flatted factory presented an innovative solution to meeting the industry's needs in a land-scarce newly independent country.
The Economic Development Board (EDB) developed the concept of 'flatted' factories in multi-storey blocks, located in housing estates. Light industries such as apparel manufacturing, electronics and plastics production offered much-needed employment without taking up too much land while being near a ready labour supply.
This pioneer block was built in 1965 and continues to serve the needs of light industries, such as printing and photographic processing today.