One item has been added to your favourites
The River Valley district sits between the Singapore River and the Orchard Road area in central Singapore.
In the early 1800s, the area was inhabited by wealthy families who wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the growing trade region at the lower end of the river. Irish born Dr Thomas Oxley, the colony’s surgeon, turned 173 acres of forest into a fine nutmeg plantation, known as Killiney Estate.
In 1860, Oxley sold off pieces of his land to wealthy Chinese settlers who built grand mansions and villas. River Valley Road was once part of Oxley’s original estate. Another famous occupier was the merchant Tan Kim Seng. Both he and Oxley have roads named after them.
Today, River Valley is still a trendy place to live: full time as a resident or temporarily as a visitor.