Emerald Hill Conservation Association

In 2008 The Emerald Hill Conservation Association (EHCA) was formed by a group of Emerald Hill homeowners, who were concerned as to the long term protection and future of the Emerald Hill Estate, as a historic and cultural based residential area.

Since its establishment, EHCA, has in concert with NParks, and URA Conservation, re-defined the landscaping of the entire estate to follow the contours of the original Nutmeg plantations. The series of pocket gardens along Emerald Hill Road have been redefined in order to offer the perfect environment for a casual walk amongst the heritage residences. Working with NParks, many endemic plant varieties, have been reinstated, including a number from the Nutmeg family.

Since its establishment, EHCA has pioneered bringing Emerald Hill back to its prominence as a unique residential enclave, within the heart of modern Singapore. Working with the various governmental agencies, EHCA has and continues to undertake a number of projects to enhance both the history and liveability of the Emerald Hill Estate.

The Emerald Hill Estate is one of the most photographed and loved historic districts in Singapore, known for its distinctive architecture and traditional colours on the exterior of its residences.

Through the efforts of EHCA and URA Conservation, The Emerald Hill Estate has introduced a gazetted traditional paint scheme, for the exterior facades of its conserved residences. This scheme allows owners to interpret the colour hues of their homes, within a paint scheme inspired by the history of the Estate. Emerald Hill Estate is the first and currently the only Heritage District to have a consistent overall paint colour scheme, which is administrated by URA Conservation.

An increasing number of its residences continue to be recognized for the architectural, cultural and historical roles that these prized structures have witnessed over time.

The Architectural Heritage Awards (AHA) were established by URA in 1995 to recognise, at the National Level, well-restored monuments and conserved buildings in Singapore, and the people behind them. Such buildings have bronze heritage award plaques on the front exterior wall of the building. Emerald Hill Estate’s residences currently have received seven such awards of distinction.

Storyboard Plaques - EHCA works with URA Conservation on their program to install historic plaques across Singapore, on selected conserved residences, to highlight architectural features of the structures, historical figures and prominent residents who have lived there.

Emerald Hill in fiction and on the stage. Emerald Hill has been immortalised on stage by Emily of Emerald Hill, a play written by local playwright Stella Kon. The play tells the story of Emily Gan, who marries a wealthy man but suffers various tragedies including the death of her son. The play was partly based on Kon’s memories of Oberon, her family home at #117 Emerald Hill Road which was owned by Kon’s grandfather, banker Seow Poh Leng and his wife Polly Tan.

Another local writer whose work features Emerald Hill is Goh Sin Tub, who wrote The Nan-Mei-Su Girls of Emerald Hill and The Ghost Lover of Emerald Hill and Other Stories.