Singapore In 1939: A Shophouse, A Nation, And A Legacy In The Making
While the world was bracing itself for World War II (WWII), 1939 was an eventful year in Singapore:
- One of Singapore’s oldest Chinese schools and a National Monument, Chung Cheng High School, was founded on 24 Jan 1939 at Kim Yam Road.
- The Former Supreme Court building was declared open by then-Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Shenton Thomas on 3 Aug 1939. It is now part of the National Gallery.
IMAGE: NG KAI
- Cathay Cinema was opened on 3 Oct 1939 at the Cathay Building (now The Cathay), a National Monument. It was the first air-conditioned cinema in Singapore, designed by architect Frank Brewer and inaugurated by Loke Wan Tho, the founder of Cathay Organisation.
- Founder of DP Architects Koh Seow Chuan was born that year. His notable projects include Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay and People’s Park Complex.
- Our national governing body for competitive swimming, Singapore Aquatics, was founded in 1939 as the Singapore Amateur Swimming Association.
- Tengah Airfield was completed by 1939 as one of the bases constructed for the air defence of Singapore. It was the first airfield to be captured during the Japanese occupation.
- The Cenotaph, one of three structures that have been collectively gazetted as the Esplanade Park Memorials. In 1951, its steps were extended to include the years of 1939 to 1945 to honour the military personnel who defended Singapore and perished during WWII.
- 1939 also saw the establishment of Tong Ah Eating House, a coffee shop on 36 Keong Saik Road. Here is the story of this unique triangular building with a striking red-and-white facade, and how it has seen Singapore evolve through the decades.
The Tong Ah Era (1939 - 2013)
Tong Ah Eating House, established by Tang Chew Fue’s great-grandfather, served local breakfast like half boiled eggs and kaya toast with kopi or teh in the morning. In the evening, the place was popular for its zi char dishes.
For decades, Tong Ah thrived under the stewardship of the Tang family. In 1999, Chew Fue took over the reins. Despite changing times, Tong Ah continued to serve customers until 2013, when the building was sold to a foreign investor.
It still operates today at 35 Keong Saik, just down the road from its previous location.
The Potato Head era (2014 - 2024)
In 2014, the building found a new lease on life as Potato Head, a restaurant and bar concept by Bali-based PTT Family. With interior designs curated by Australian artist David Bromley, the space seamlessly blended heritage and contemporary aesthetics.
The lifestyle venue was known for burger joint Three Buns on the first two floors, artsy cocktail club Studio 1939 on the third floor, and a tiki bar operated on the alfresco rooftop.
Over time, Potato Head evolved into one of Keong Saik’s must-visit venues, its eclectic vibe drawing both locals and tourists. We loved the cocktail creations at Studio 1939!
In Nov 2024, the building was renamed once more to 1939, paying homage to its historic roots.
IMAGE: HANDOUT
The Front Porch. | IMAGE: HANDOUT
1939 at 36 Keong Saik Road
The transformation of this heritage building into 1939 merges the past and present in a way that honours its legacy while appealing to modern sensibilities.
The Front Porch (level 1) has an open kitchen and retains David Bromley’s artistic touch. The Restaurant (level 2) serves a selection of famous burgers from the old Three Buns (like popular choice Fun Boy Three) and new signature dishes like har cheong gai, lamb rack and the chilli crab burger.
Har cheong gai from The Restaurant. | IMAGE: HANDOUT
Studio 1939 Cocktail Bar. | IMAGE: HANDOUT
The Rooftop Bar at 1939. | IMAGE: HANDOUT
Then there’s Studio 1939 Cocktail Bar (level 3), the same cosy yet chic speakeasy-style space. Its cocktail programme is uniquely themed around “Beats per Minute” (BPM), their fun way to note the alcohol strength of each drink. For a change of pace, enjoy the BPM cocktails on the open-air Rooftop Bar (level 4), with a tropical design, laid-back vibe and great city view.
On weekends, you can party hard at Studio 1939’s DJ performances, while the Rooftop provides a more chill setting under the stars.
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