The two-storeyed Macpherson Road Post Office was inaugurated by Aljunied assemblyman Mr S. V. Lingam in 1963. Like other community-based post offices, the first floor of the building was designed to receive the public, and features show-case windows with a large and visible main entrance door. The second floor however, was meant for the resident post master and instead boasts box-framed windows. An extensive overhanging hip roof provides shelter from the elements, and completes the building’s simple aesthetic. A small compound by the building’s side offers a few lots for cars and service vehicles.
On 8 January 1979, the site went through a short renovation. When it reopened on 18 April 1979, it had a more spacious lobby and new service counters, with additional post office boxes installed. The boxes could be rented for $30 a year in those days.
1977 Armed Robbery
On 31 May 1977, the post office was also the site of a daring robbery. According to eyewitness accounts, two armed robbers entered wearing crash helmets, and proceeded to empty the office’s drawers. They made off with more than $10,000.
The police believed that this was not their first robbery — at least 15 robberies in over a year which accounted for more than $20,000 in cash and jewellery had been attributed to the pair.
Buildings and sites featured on Roots.SG are part of our efforts to raise awareness of our heritage; a listing on Roots.SG does not imply any form of preservation or conservation status, unless it is mentioned in the article. The information in this article is valid as of August 2019 and is not intended to be an exhaustive history of the site/building.
