“Alexandra” whispers tales of transformation. Alexandra refers to the area adjacent to Alexandra Road. It connects River Valley to Pasir Panjang. Alexandra has evolved from a British military stronghold to a vibrant residential and commercial hub.
Alexandra Road was completed in 1864. It was named after the Princess of Wales. She later became Queen Alexandra. Locals knew the road as “chui bo lai”. This Hokkien phrase means “within the water rice mill”.
Alexandra’s story is intertwined with the British military. In the early 1900s, Alexandra Barracks was established. Roads around it bore British names like Berkshire and Canterbury. The barracks housed Indian troops. A deadly mutiny involving the 5th Light Infantry occurred here.
Gillman Barracks emerged in 1936. It was named after General Webb Gillman. Initially, it housed the Middlesex Regiment. After the British withdrawal in 1971, the government repurposed Gillman Barracks. In 2012, it became a contemporary art destination.
Alexandra Hospital has a poignant history. It opened in 1940 as the British Military Hospital. It was described as a state-of-the-art facility. During the Japanese invasion in 1942, a massacre occurred here. Many staff and patients lost their lives. After 1971, it became a civilian hospital.
Alexandra Park was a colonial residential estate. British military staff and their families lived here. Bukit Damai was built in 1906 for the Alexandra Barracks commander. Some houses later became hostels for nurses and doctors.
Alexandra once featured kampongs and plantations. Rubber, coconut, and papaya thrived here. Chinese, Malay, and Indian families resided in the kampongs.
Alexandra has seen significant housing developments. In 1959, the Singapore Improvement Trust built homes here. Alexandra Hill also saw the construction of a new public housing estate. Gillman Heights, a middle-income housing estate, was completed in 1985.
Alexandra’s industrial growth began in the 1930s. Malayan Breweries, later known as Tiger brewery, opened in 1932. Archipelago Brewery Company followed in 1933. Alexandra was strategically chosen due to its proximity to the British military.
Alexandra Village emerged in 1978 as Singapore’s first motor repair “village”. Queensway Shopping Centre became the first modern shopping center. Ikea opened its flagship store in 1995. Alexandra Central and Alexandra Retail Centre are more recent commercial additions.
Alexandra Arch is an 80-meter pedestrian bridge. It opened in 1998. The bridge is part of the Southern Ridges chain of greenery.
Today, Alexandra stands as a testament to Singapore’s evolution. From military grounds to modern living. Alexandra represents a blend of history and progress.