Many of us remember the 39 years old Rochor Centre Complex as a nostalgic place rich in culture and tradition.
For land scarce Singapore, changes to our landscape is a norm to be expected by Singaporeans, just as the government's announcement that the 39-year-old Rochor Centre Complex will make way for the upcoming North-South Expressway that will reduce traffic jams and assist in cutting down the travelling time on the road.
This year 2016, come September, the Rochor Centre Complex with its four iconic blocks - painted green, yellow, blue and red - will be consigned to the pages of history, just like Outram Park Complex, and many others.
Signs of abandonment e.g. unwanted television, cupboards, mattresses and bulky household items at the void decks with a stench of urine at deserted corners. The place is quiet with no one in sight.
For land scarce Singapore, changes to our landscape is a norm to be expected by Singaporeans, just as the government's announcement that the 39-year-old Rochor Centre Complex will make way for the upcoming North-South Expressway that will reduce traffic jams and assist in cutting down the travelling time on the road.
This year 2016, come September, the Rochor Centre Complex with its four iconic blocks - painted green, yellow, blue and red - will be consigned to the pages of history, just like Outram Park Complex, and many others.
Signs of abandonment e.g. unwanted television, cupboards, mattresses and bulky household items at the void decks with a stench of urine at deserted corners. The place is quiet with no one in sight.
Rochor Centre Complex
The Rochor Centre Complex place used to be frequented by devotees buying religious goods on the way to nearby temples, such as the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple. But these days, only six of the 15 shops selling religious goods, such as statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities, are still open.
Rochor Centre Complex's shop tenants have to move by Sept 30, but most of the shops that are still open have yet to find a new place.
Mr Kum Yuen Chuen, 56, owner of Hup Yick Furniture, which sells Buddhist and Taoist altars, said: "There are no more shops in Singapore with sizes as big and rent as cheap as the ones here.
Others, such as a shopkeeper who wanted to be known only as Mrs Yeo, were frustrated at yet another move. Said Mrs Yeo, 70, whose son is the owner of party supplies shop Yeo GM Trading: "It is already our third shift. First, (it was from) Blanco Court, then (from) Victoria Street, and now here. "Even if I've made memories here, I will have to forget them all because we are moving yet again."
Well, at least not all are sad, the residents are happily anticipating for the collection of the keys to their new HDB flats at Kallang Trivista.
The Straits Times
Rochor Centre Complex's shop tenants have to move by Sept 30, but most of the shops that are still open have yet to find a new place.
Mr Kum Yuen Chuen, 56, owner of Hup Yick Furniture, which sells Buddhist and Taoist altars, said: "There are no more shops in Singapore with sizes as big and rent as cheap as the ones here.
Others, such as a shopkeeper who wanted to be known only as Mrs Yeo, were frustrated at yet another move. Said Mrs Yeo, 70, whose son is the owner of party supplies shop Yeo GM Trading: "It is already our third shift. First, (it was from) Blanco Court, then (from) Victoria Street, and now here. "Even if I've made memories here, I will have to forget them all because we are moving yet again."
Well, at least not all are sad, the residents are happily anticipating for the collection of the keys to their new HDB flats at Kallang Trivista.
The Straits Times
Rochor Centre Complex - A nostalgic piece of Singapore's history
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