SearchBukit Merah, which means red hill in Malay, is one of Singapore’s most underrated estate. Located between the city center and the intact nature parks near Mount Faber, this area is a hive of activity and has a treasure trove of food options to explore.
Deriving its name from the red soil discovered around the hilly sites of Henderson and Lengkok Bahru, Bukit Merah was initially used as a plantation site to grow pepper and gambier. With the establishment of the Housing Development Board (HDB) in 1960, state lands within the estate were utilized to build public houses to address Singapore’s housing shortage. Over time, the area’s population grew exponentially, and it is now home to over 150,000 residents.
With its heritage buildings, historic precincts, and lush green spaces, Bukit Merah has an old-school charm that has captivated many Singaporeans. Properties in the area are constantly in demand and snapped up quickly whenever there is a listing. Suppose you are one of those attracted to the idea of living in Bukit Merah. In that case, it is crucial for you to do your research and consider if the area is the ideal fit for you before house-hunting for a new property and selling your home. Let us provide a sneak peek at what you can expect when you relocate to Bukit Merah.
Food
With the emergence of various hot spots for brunch and coffee breaks, Bukit Merah is fast becoming the go-to place for the younger crowd looking for their next café-hopping adventure. Given the variety on offer, we took hours of careful deliberation before deciding on the must-try cafés you have to visit when you are in the area.
Refuel II
Refuel 2 is one of our go-to places for brunch when we find ourselves at Bukit Merah. Our favorite dishes to order are its truffle fries and “full tank” brunch set. The fries are always served piping hot and come with a generous helping of truffles and parmesan cheese.
As for its “full tank”, there is a reason why the café names it so as the portions are very generous and always leaves us stuffed. However, no matter how full we are, we always have room for its signature banana pancakes before settling our bills.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/refuel2
Address: 28 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 152028
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 9AM – 9PM
Geometry
We always love to round out a hearty meal with a delicious dessert, and Geometry’s gelatos are one of the best we have tried. Their artisan gelatos are all hand-made with no artificial ingredients added. The café regularly changes its menu to offer its customers a wealth of options. Not only are the gelatos reasonably priced, but they are also insta-worthy.
Website: https://geometry.sg/
Address: 2 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-5142, Singapore 150002
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs 12PM – 9.30PM | Fri – Sat 12PM – 11PM
Recreation
Due to the land shortages in Singapore, large areas of vegetation have to be cut down to make way for various facilities and housing development projects. Bukit Merah is one of the few exceptions that still maintains its vast greeneries, which is why it is a haven for nature lovers. Within the radius of Bukit Merah alone, you can find Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, Tiong Bahru Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve. With such a vast array of parks and nature reserve, you can alternate between them at your leisure.
For those looking for a variety of flora and fauna, Mount Faber is the perfect spot for you to begin your hiking journey as the area is covered by a lush rainforest. There are artificial pavements that provide you with a safe path to the summit.
From there, you can head over to Henderson Waves bridge, which connects Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park. This unique bridge is an impressive piece of architectural marvel, only rivaled by the views the bridge overlooks.
After crossing the bridge, head on down, and you will reach Telok Blangah Hill Park. While it is not as well-known as the other parks in the area, this place has its unique charm and plenty of attractions to visit. You can continue your trek down the Forest Walk and take your time admiring the flowers at the Terrace Garden.
Amenities
It is not just the food or the sceneries that leave Bukit Merah with few equals. If you need to travel to town, it only takes you 10-minutes via a train ride to reach the city center. There are also various facilities within the surrounding area that make Bukit Merah a convenient place to stay.
Those who require a visit to a specialist will not have to travel far to see a medical professional, as Singapore General Hospital (SGH) is only two MRT stations away from Bukit Merah. There are also plans to further expand its facilities by 2023 to better serve the hospital’s many patients.
The Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) has also announced its intention to develop four new MRT stations, which only further enhances the accessibility of the area. Cantonment and Keppel MRT stations will be further additions to the current Circle Line. In contrast, Havelock and Outram Park MRT stations will be part of the new Thomson Line, providing residents with an additional travel option to other areas of Singapore. These stations are targeted to be completed by 2025.
In addition to developing these new train stations, there are plans for the vacated school buildings of Henderson Secondary School to be converted to a childcare center and nursing home to serve the community better.
Conclusion
We hope we have helped shed some light on what you can expect when you move to Bukit Merah. If you appreciate the comforts of living in a mature estate near the city, then this place is the ideal home for you. It is best to engage the services of a property agent to help you with your house-hunting.
At Selling Singapore, we prioritize the comforts and needs of our clients. We understand how challenging it is to simultaneously sell your current property while searching for a new home. Allow us to take this load off your shoulder and help you sell your condo or home fast, so you can use the money to finance your dream home. Whatever your requests, we are all ears and ready to tackle them. Contact us at 8157 4855 for a quick catch-up session today!
