LTA, URA to work with heritage groups to protect historic Ellison Building
Ellison Building. Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY
SINGAPORE — The authorities will be seeking the advice of a conservation specialist and the views of heritage groups on how best to protect the historic Ellison Building, parts of which will be making way for the construction of the North-South Corridor (NSC).
Media reports had earlier quoted several groups, such as the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) Singapore and the Singapore Heritage Society, as expressing concerns over the fate of the 1924 building, at the corner of Selegie Road and Bukit Timah Road.
In reponse to media queries, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said on Wednesday (Oct 19) that they recognise the importance of Ellison Building as part of Singapore’s heritage and history.
The two-storey building, which has two domes and balconies, was said to have been built by Isaac Ellison, a Jewish community leader in Singapore, for his wife Flora.
In a joint statement, the two agencies noted that a section of Ellison Building falls within the alignment of the NSC, an integrated transport corridor which will run from the North to the city centre.
The NSC alignment is unable to completely avoid Ellison Building “due to the heavily built-up corridor”, which includes the existing buildings, Downtown Line and North-East Line MRT tunnels and station, as well as the Rochor Canal.
“LTA and URA have been looking at ways to best minimise impact to Ellison Building during the construction of NSC. LTA has planned to engage a conservation specialist to provide advice. We have also engaged the heritage groups to hear their views on the possible mitigating measures to protect Ellison Building during the construction process,” the statement added.
The two agencies said they will work with the heritage groups “to retain as much of Ellison Building as possible”.
“Implementation plans will be finalised only after the discussions with the heritage groups, and report from the conservation specialist is completed,” they said.
