Matilda House

Whispers carried on the breeze tell of a house that time almost forgot. Matilda House. This grand old dame of Punggol, built in 1902, stands as a testament to a bygone era. Matilda House was a gift from Alexander Cashin to his wife, a tribute named after his mother, Josephine Matilda Cashin. It wasn’t just a house, but a sprawling estate complete with a tropical-style bungalow, four bedrooms, servant quarters, and a vast garden overflowing with fruit trees. The Cashin family, whose roots in Singapore trace back to the 1840s, enjoyed Matilda House as a weekend retreat, a place where the echoes of laughter mingled with the rustling of coconut palms. They even had a horse stable and tennis courts, a testament to their comfortable lifestyle. The seaside location offered a welcome escape, with a nearby fishing village adding to the charm. Over the years, ownership passed from Alexander to Howard, who returned from his law studies in England in 1953 to reside there with his family. Later, his brother Joseph and their mother called Matilda House home. Then, in 1985, the government’s acquisition of land in Punggol, including the Matilda Estate, brought an end to the Cashin family’s tenure. Left vacant, Matilda House fell into disrepair, becoming a canvas for whispers of hauntings and rumors of its indestructibility. It earned nicknames like “Ghost House” and “Istana Menanti,” adding to the mystique. Despite the decay, Matilda House earned a conservation status in 2000, a solitary sentinel against the backdrop of cleared land. It became a magnet for photographers, drawn to its eerie beauty. But Matilda House was not destined to remain a ruin. In 2012, Sim Lian Group purchased the site, incorporating the restored Matilda House into their “A Treasure Trove” condominium. Today, it serves as the clubhouse, a phoenix risen from the ashes, its facade and interior echoing the elegance of its past. While residents enjoy modern amenities within its walls, Matilda House continues to whisper its story, a tale of family, change, and resilience. It even graced the screens in the 1980s, appearing in the television series “Tenko” and “Tanamera – Lion of Singapore,” further cementing its place in Singapore’s history.