TAN TONG MENG TOWER
Drivers who frequently take the Pan-island Expressway would be familiar with the red and white condominium on 370-372 Thomson Road. Much like a beacon in the Thomson-balestier skyline since 1981 when it was built, Tan Tong Meng Tower was the first high-rise apartment in the area and has been the stuff of urban legends in Singapore since.
It was the brainchild of late businessman Tan Tong Meng, who was conferred two Public Service Stars (BBM) by our early presidents Yusof Ishak and Benjamin Sheares. The building’s conspicuous colours (red is a colour that the Chinese deem yang enough to ward off evil spirits) resulted in stories that it is haunted. However, according to Tan Wai See and Janet Tan, two of Tan’s children, the hues are those of the Singapore flag and were chosen simply because their father loved the nation very much. The late Tan had bought the land in the ’50s, building two bungalows on it at first.
Upon the advice of a friend, he decided to commission the construction of a condominium to Ong & Ong, the architectural firm founded by the late Ong Teng Cheong, Singapore’s fifth and first-elected president, and his wife Ling Siew May. After the tower was completed, Tan kept nine units for his family and sold the rest. With nine units making up 30 per cent of the total units and still owned by the Tan family who intend to keep their “parents’ gift”, en bloc sale attempts by the other condominium owners have failed. According to Wai See, this has caused unhappiness among some owners, which could have led to the rumours about the estate.