SINGAPORE – The authorities are studying retaining and repurposing 27 buildings and structures that were part of the former Bukit Timah Turf City, to be included in an upcoming residential estate on the site.

Most of two forested areas near the former racecourse – Bukit Tinggi and Eng Neo Avenue Forest – will also be retained.

On May 23, National Development Minister Desmond Lee announced at the launch of an exhibition featuring plans for the Bukit Timah Turf City estate that two studies – a heritage impact assessment (HIA) and an environmental impact assessment (EIA) – had been completed.

The studies were done so that the site can be redeveloped sensitively, he said.

The HIA found several buildings and structures to be of heritage significance, including the North and South grandstands, the racetracks, the Bukit Timah Saddle Club Clubhouse and the stables.

These were assessed based on a combination of historical, social, aesthetic, architectural and contextual values, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

The agency added that generally, the site’s heritage significance is attributed to the racecouse – Singapore’s second – which functioned from 1933 to 1999, until the Singapore Turf Club moved to Kranji.

Besides studying the retention of buildings, the authorities will also develop a new central open space in front ...