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\nLocated in the immediate vicinity of Little India, colourful shophouses are a common sight in Farrer Park as well.
\nPart of Farrer Park\u2019s appeal is its close proximity to Little India, but it is a thriving estate in its own right, something residents and even property developers recognise.
\nby\u00a0Cheryl Marie Tay
\nA historic estate located in central Singapore, Farrer Park is part of the Rochor planning area and is juxtaposed against the colourful landscape of Little India.
\nThroughout most of Singapore\u2019s history, Farrer Park was known for being the site of the country\u2019s first ever racecourse, the Singapore Sporting Club\u2019s Serangoon Road Race Course, which was set up in December 1842.
\nThe venue\u2019s weekend horse races drew mostly European crowds, while the neighbourhood itself was home to a growing Indian community, who worked mainly on the area\u2019s cattle farms, pineapple factories and rattan processing houses.
\nFlying into the 20th century
\nAnother thing Farrer Park is known for is its historical association with aviation in Singapore. In fact, the first plane to fly over Singapore did so above Farrer Park in 1911. The Serangoon Road Race Course grounds also doubled as an airstrip during Singapore\u2019s centenary celebration nearly eight years later in February 1919.
\nThe racecourse was renamed the Singapore Turf Club in 1924, and in 1933, after about 90 years at Farrer Park, it moved to its current location at the Bukit Timah Race Course. Farrer Park then became a sporting venue, first for playing fields and a Sports House where the grandstand once stood, then with the National Sports Promotion Board setting up its headquarters in the Sports House from 1971 to 1973. Other sports associations also set up shop in the Sports House until 1985, when a fired destroyed it.
\nWar and peace
\nBut apart from horseracing, aviation and sports, Farrer Park\u2019s place in Singapore\u2019s history is also characterised by the political gatherings it hosted before and after the war.
\nPolitical rallies were a common occurrence there in Singapore\u2019s post-war fight for independence from Malaya, and on 15 August 1955, the People\u2019s Action Party (PAP) campaigned for self-government at Farrer Park.
\nA vibrant neighbourhood
\nToday, Farrer Park is a vibrant neighbourhood with plenty to see, eat, buy and do. It is easily accessible via Farrer Park MRT station on the North-East Line, and within its vicinity are the Kandang Kerbau Women and Children\u2019s Hospital, Farrer Park Hospital, Farrer Park Aquatic Centre, Farrer Park Tennis Centre, East Asia School of Theology, City Square Mall and of course, Little India. It is also walking distance from the Jalan Besar neighbourhood.
\nJagwinder Singh, 30, a restaurateur whose family owns Jaggi\u2019s North Indian Cuisine (temporarily located on Chander Road while its Race Course Road outlet undergoes renovations) has lived in the area for the past 16 years.
\n\u201cI lived in Hougang prior to our relocation to Farrer Park, a largely business-oriented move. There were quite a few changes I had to acclimatise myself to; I was not in the heartlands anymore but was now living in a commercialised area in the city.\u201d
\nHe considers life in Farrer Park a significant improvement over life in the heartlands: \u201cA major plus has to be that there is so much to do, see and explore. I don\u2019t have to trudge out of my flat and endure a gruelling hour-long bus journey to the city anymore; I\u2019m right in it!\u201d
\nIn terms of food, attractions, nightlife and shopping in and around Farrer Park, Singh has a laundry list of recommendations. He says, \u201cThis area has it all. There are a few good bars to frequent, particularly those on Dunlop Road. For food, head down to the famous Race Course Road and get your fill of fish head curry.\u201d
\nOf course, he doesn\u2019t leave out his own restaurant, which he describes as a \u201clegendary household name spanning two generations of loyal culinary addicts\u201d. The North Indian eatery is best known for its tandoori fare and signature butter chicken.
\nFor shopping, he recommends \u201cthe warehouse of department stores, Mustafa Centre, (which is) open 24\/7 like a 7-11\u201d.
\nApart from the many eateries in Little India, however, Farrer Park has a good variety of other types of cuisine. The famous Ng Ah Sio Pork Rib on Rangoon Road, Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles on Cambridge Road, and the popular Cambridge Road Market and Food Centre (better known to regular patrons as Pek Kio) offer a wide range of local favourites guaranteed to leave your stomachs full and taste buds satisfied.
\nA lucrative location
\nFarrer Park sits on the edge of Rochor, just beside Kallang. Its proximity to the city centre gives it a competitive edge over developments that are further away. Residential projects located within Farrer Park can benefit from being approximately 10 minutes away from the CBD, as rental demand tends to move in tandem with proximity to employment centres.
\nFurthermore, Little India, which is just one MRT station away from Farrer Park on the North-East Line, is connected to the Downtown Line, allowing residents to travel to the CBD quickly. Connectivity aside, Farrer Park is also home to an integrated hotel and hospital complex, Connexion, which would be attractive to retirees or medical tourists.<\/p>\n