Description “Shophouses” is a generic term of construction in which buildings are built contiguously, i.e. sharing party walls, forms blocks separated from each other by streets and back lanes. Normally, it is two or three storeys high, the first floor for commercial and residential for upper floors. The early shophouses were developed in the early 19th Century purely transitional adaptations to the tropical climate. Gradually intricate motifs were added on the facades to enhance the identity of the area. Kampong Glam was traditionally a Malay residential area. Little India & Chinatown were the hub of early immigrants of India & China, and Joo Chiat was where the Peranakan and Eurasian community were. However, the architectural style of the buildings were developed as: Art Deco Shophouse (1930 to 1960) – buildings are constructed with simplified lines and geometrical patterns with special emphasis on the street corners.
