Amoy Street Conservation Shophouses: History, Style & Buying Notes

Location: Telok Ayer / CBD fringe
Name origin: Amoy: old name for Xiamen, a Hokkien port
Typical styles: Mainly earlier shophouse styles
Use today: Offices, F&B and boutique businesses

History of Amoy Street

Streets in Telok Ayer were shaped by Hokkien immigrants and the nearby shoreline in the 19th century. Amoy Street's name reflects those links. For authoritative histories consult NLB Infopedia and NHB.

Point	Detail
Name	Refers to Amoy (Xiamen)
Area	Telok Ayer, near the CBD
Built form	Terrace shophouses with five-foot ways
Protection	Conservation controls apply; verify the property

Conserved frontages, modern uses: the Telok Ayer story in one street.

Schematic map placing Amoy Street near Telok Ayer, Chinatown and Boat Quay — Location context (schematic).

Buying and using Amoy Street conservation shophouses

Confirm the URA conservation status, approved use and prior permissions.
Plan restoration with a conservation-experienced architect.
F&B use needs separate approvals; see the F&B licensing guide.

Four checks before buying a conservation shophouse — Diligence checklist.

Anatomy of an Early style shophouse façade typical of older Telok Ayer area streets — Early style features.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Amoy Street shophouses conserved?+

Many shophouses in the Telok Ayer and Amoy Street area are within conservation controls. Confirm the status of a specific address with URA.

Why is it called Amoy Street?+

Amoy is the old name for Xiamen, a Hokkien port city connected to many early immigrants to Singapore.

Can I run a restaurant in an Amoy Street shophouse?+

It depends on zoning, approved use and licensing. See the F&B licensing and change of use guide.

Are there Amoy Street conservation shophouses for sale?+

Availability changes. See the conservation shophouses for sale page and the Amoy Street area page.