This is probably one of the most unique houses in Singapore. It is built on a pier, hence nicknamed “The Pier”, located at the coast of Lim Chu Kang. It is visible from the Lim Chu Kang Jetty, and has a panoramic view of the Johor Strait.
Likely to be built before the forties, The Pier was occupied by the Japanese in 1942 when they invaded the north-western part of Singapore during the Second World War, catching the defending allied soldiers by surprise. When Kranji and Lim Chu Kang fell, the Japanese officers used The Pier as their comfort stop.
After the war, the Cashin family regained possession of the pier-house. The wealthy Cashin family, spearheaded by Irish lawyer Joseph William Cashin (1844–1907), owned properties in many parts of Singapore, including the famous Matilda House at Punggol. The third generation, Howard Edmund Cashin (1920–2009), had vast rubber plantations at Lim Chu Kang in the fifties and sixties. After their marriage in 1953, Howard Cashin and his wife Gillian would live at The Pier occasionally as their weekend resort until 2009.
Although the pier-house is several decades old, the interior is designed with a modern touch, with ceiling fans, aircon and other facilities powered by electricity. With barbeque pits and stone tables in the garden, it is certainly a nice and quiet place for a family gathering by the sea for the Cashins. One can imagine the owners enjoying the sight of a starry night and the sounds of the splashing waves during the high tides.
Today, the little compound is abandoned and forgotten, and is fenced up by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). There are no concrete redevelopment plans of this unique place in near future, but let’s hope it will not eventually meet the fate of demolition.
Published: 17 March 2012
Remember Singapore 
wonder if we could use this place for a family gathering?
Unlikely.. It’s under the charge of Singapore Land Authority (SLA) now
Did the owner sell it to Singapore govt ?? if not, why nobody from the family claim it ??
Is the house under National heritage?
I remember spending many weekend curry tiffins with my parents at the Cashins — As a little girl, I loved those parties at The Pier the large grounds — so beautifully manicured — were fascinating to me. It is so sad to see it all in ruins and leaves an eery sense of being able to see how it once was full of life and laughter.
Same! My dad knew Howard and Lily pretty well… We used to spend Christmas almost every year there… I miss going over… It’s so sad that the once happy place filled with joy and laughter is now dilapidated… I miss fishing of the balcony too… Those were real good times…
is this place locked up? or still accessible by roads?
Yes, it’s fenced up and not accessible to the public
how did u shoot these photos? private access from SLA?
Wah…. this is such an interesting piece of history and place… Yes… Hope they will preserve this huge property… never heard about this….Lovely!
u know what we live just a stone away and my grandfather work as his gardener and
Why is this Cashin family not claiming their property ? Or they sold it to Singapore govt ?
From this report the 3rd generation left in 2009 which is just a few years back. Same like the Mathilda HOuse in Ponggul.
probably, the cashin family not on good terms with the sg government… that’s why as soon as the property owner howard cashin passed on sg government took control right away…
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how to get there
take bus 975 to bus stop ‘Aft Lim Chu Kang Lane 8.’ Alight, then turn around, then turn onto lim chu kang lane 8. the lane merges onto LCK Lane 6C, turn left, and you will be on LCK Lane 9. At the end of LCK lane 9 there used to be a small unnamed track that led to the house.
The area is now fenced up btw so u can’t get in
Is the info correct? The Cashins lived here till 2009? You mean just three years ago this house was “used”? Fascinating! Cos it looks like it was abandoned many many years ago.
Daphne u used to go there? Do u still have any cashins family email or something. When I was little boy I used to play on the jetty area. Sofian.ahan@gmail.com
When I was a little kampung boy, I used to hang around in the opposite jetty admiring The Pier.i only heard the stories that it was owned by a lawyer and his family. I told myself one day when I succeed I will buy that house..so sad I couldn’t even meet the family in that house. I went there today with a good friend. Walk all the way in, but the gate is locked I could only see it. When I was a boy looking from the opposite jetty it looks far yet so near but now it’s near yet so far.Deep in my heart I said not in a million words could describe how beautiful this house is.Build in historic times standing in modern years. 1001 of stories that might not even been untold..I love that place that is where I want my old years to be..
One of my mom;s friends used to work for the family in the late 70’s. Personally I saw this place after it was abandoned. Still very nice. It has soul.
ya it has soul,….some soul. Like Mathilda House.
Well even up till now during my free times,I will sit on the opposite jetty facing the Pier enjoying the magical view that money can’t buy.I could sit and day dream all day long .. I miss my childhood I miss the old friendly Singapore where we know our neighbours by name ..enjoying every racial or religious holiday regardless off who we are.Years have gone by but my heart still a kampung boy..
I am not sure if this is the house i enjoyed dinner with the hosts in 1978 with a family friend..Pamela Roche…my memories are vivid ,but the house on the pier seemed bigger..it was a wonderful experience and i would love to know the history then and before..mairette wlliams..australia
brucewilliamsgardendesign@gmail.com
Well Mairette Williams, u should go down and see the pier yourself.It looks bigger when ur there. It’s still have the same old feeling… The scenery, atmosphere.. It’s more that beautiful .. To me it’s magical
Sofian ,was it hard to get to by car back in the late 70’s ? Is there a war memorial there ?
Hi, you can actually access the place via a small track along Lim Chu Kang Lane 8.
The track was well hidden (not listed on the map) when I first went there, so I bashed through the thick vegetation and muddy trails
Took me more than 30 minutes to get to the house
Mairette Williams,it’s not hard to get there.Are u here in Singapore?i was there weeks ago and there is a war memorial there.. That’s where the japs landed.Its kinda confusing of u dnt know the road.. But imagine this once ur there ur childhood somehow rather will ignite…nice knowing u.If u going there do tell me.. Anyway what’s ur email and this is mine. Sofian.ahan@gmail.com
The house belong to the Cashins family… It’s like a weekend house.The Cashins family own a number of unique house which has become a historic monument.Theres others houses which is unique like the Bukit Chermins on top of a hill facing the sea and sentosa.
Yeah that’s what I did the last time, lots of fruit trees in there.. Durians and rambutan
Hi guys! I’m currently doing an article on the history of this place and i wonder if anyone knows people willing to be interviewed; someone who has worked/lived here back in the day for a personal account.
Just went to Lim Chu Kang jetty today and was wondering what the pier-like structure is for… that’s how I found this post. How do you know all these things!
I love reading up history when I was little, I love every historical site Singapore have..u should go to the actual site plumber rainbow , it’s beautiful… Cashins family owns others historical building as well like the Matilda house and the butterfly house which used to be in amber road. Pls do correct me if I’m wrong.have a good week guys.
Hi, Very interesting to see these photos. Reminds me of many old government rest houses in Malaysia that my father took us around many years ago. They have a certain atmosphere and class of their own.
Anyone know the people on the nearby kelongs. Like to inteview them about how they make their living. thanks
looking at google map – seems like the way to bash thru is from Lim Chu Kang Lane 9?
yes, you’re right – the fenced-up area that once had the track that led to the house is at the end of Lim Chu Kang Lane 9…
How am I to go there ?
take bus 975 to bus stop ‘Aft Lim Chu Kang Lane 8.’ Alight, then turn around, then turn onto lim chu kang lane 8. the lane merges onto LCK Lane 6C, turn left, and you will be on LCK Lane 9. At the end of LCK lane 9 there used to be a small unnamed track that led to the house.
The area is now fenced up btw so u can’t get in
Nice article, I immediately drove down to have a look as I remember many many years ago my friend drove me to the door step once, still can see people staying and some chicken running outside the garden area, surprised to see is run down now. People that used to stay and growth up there must have a wonderful times. Like last Heaven you can find living in Singapore
My only hope that Singapore would not lost any historical site due to modernisation,a lot is old shophouses with unique Baba design or even ancient tradition sign are lost due to modernisation.Asia is full of history,tradition,culture and belief,without all these where do we stand.I agree we have to give way for future developments but must we sacrifice history?So many sunken treasures in south east Asia ESP in the Indonesia island or Malay archipelago have been taken by invaders being sold.This people became rich due to our forefathers arifects.Pls treasure our history without our past,the future generation will loss every history,tradition,culture and belief..modernisation must be presence in our thinking but not in our belief..
I’m a big kaypoh – Remember SG – pls tell me how many bedrooms are in this house? I’m sooooooooooo curious as it looks rather small.
Thanks!
Hi Lisa, if I remember correctly, there were two bedrooms.
By the way, this place is no longer accessible to the public, the compound is restricted by the fences and CCTVs.
Map for a clearer view. There’s a small hidden path (white arrow) that leads to the pier-house
(Photo Credit: Google Maps)
I would like to know whether we can go in by the hidden path.
Mr/Ms Remember Singapore,
According to Channel 8 6.30pm news, This pier will be changed to a landmark or something. The news is on 27 March, 2014. Thanks.
I just came across this article after searching for some monument plaque. I was surprised that my mum carries the cashin name as well. I don’t know there is a link to my Grandad whose name is Dudley Cashin. When i questioned my mum, my grandad use to be a rebellious son during his days hence there isn’t anyone . I believe his siblings are still in Singapore.
My son was studying this a few years ago as an architectural student. The house and surroundings will be restored eventually. Looking looking ofrward to this rather unique place.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-sungei-buloh-wetland-reserve-nature-park-lim-chu-kang-13033502.
Good news, Government will develop this place.
Nice!
“Cashin House, also located in the nature park, will be “enhanced sensitively for both natural and built heritage” and will be used for educational programmes. It will include new facilities such as an exhibition space, seminar rooms for workshops and a seaview terrace.
NParks will call a tender for works on Cashin House and its surrounding areas shortly, with construction expected to commence in the fourth quarter of this year and will be completed in early 2022, subject to the COVID-19 situation.”
Great to hear. Look forward to seeing the progress.
Hope to go there one day to still see the house in all its glory. i live in punggol so I am glad that matilda house got new life as a condo clubhouse.
unfortunately, I never got the chance to visit cashin house while it was still abandoned…