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
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wonder if we could use this place for a family gathering?
By mahadir on March 24, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Unlikely.. It’s under the charge of Singapore Land Authority (SLA) now
By Remember Singapore on March 25, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Did the owner sell it to Singapore govt ?? if not, why nobody from the family claim it ??
By Cu on August 20, 2013 at 9:26 am
Is the house under National heritage?
By Yuanfeng history lover on February 23, 2014 at 1:25 pm
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.
By Daphne on March 29, 2012 at 1:25 am
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…
By Shawn on December 6, 2013 at 9:04 pm
is this place locked up? or still accessible by roads?
By hard on May 21, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Yes, it’s fenced up and not accessible to the public
By Remember Singapore on May 21, 2012 at 9:56 pm
how did u shoot these photos? private access from SLA?
By hard on June 11, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Wah…. this is such an interesting piece of history and place… Yes… Hope they will preserve this huge property… never heard about this….Lovely!
By rufino1995Tom on August 28, 2012 at 6:03 pm
u know what we live just a stone away and my grandfather work as his gardener and
By liza on September 17, 2012 at 8:34 am
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.
By Cu on August 20, 2013 at 9:29 am
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…
By alphax17 on May 8, 2023 at 11:19 am
[…] row left: Travelling on the Johor Straits. Is that the famous Lim Chu Kang house on the pier, that was owned by the Cashin family after the war? 1st row right and 2nd row: Landing on Sarimbun […]
By Location Scouting in “Malayan War Record: A Record of the Offensive” (1942) Part 1 | THE HUNTER on October 5, 2012 at 2:12 am
how to get there
By deadpool on October 20, 2012 at 10:54 pm
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
By alphax17 on May 8, 2023 at 12:30 pm
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.
By Keegan on October 30, 2012 at 6:34 pm
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
By Sofian ahmat on November 14, 2012 at 9:59 am
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..
By Sofian on November 14, 2012 at 2:34 pm
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.
By aliogoi on December 12, 2012 at 11:20 pm
ya it has soul,….some soul. Like Mathilda House.
By Cu on August 20, 2013 at 9:30 am
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..
By Sofian on December 26, 2012 at 3:06 pm
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
By Mairette Williams on December 30, 2012 at 7:34 pm
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
By Sofian on December 31, 2012 at 8:28 am
Sofian ,was it hard to get to by car back in the late 70’s ? Is there a war memorial there ?
By Mairette Williams on December 31, 2012 at 10:31 am
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
By Remember Singapore on December 31, 2012 at 10:59 am
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
By Sofian on December 31, 2012 at 10:48 am
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.
By Sofian on December 31, 2012 at 10:52 am
Yeah that’s what I did the last time, lots of fruit trees in there.. Durians and rambutan
By Sofian on December 31, 2012 at 11:27 am
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.
By Reuben Chia on January 11, 2013 at 11:38 am
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!
By plumerainbow on January 20, 2013 at 5:16 pm
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.
By Sofian on January 21, 2013 at 7:45 am
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
By gk on January 22, 2013 at 9:55 pm
looking at google map – seems like the way to bash thru is from Lim Chu Kang Lane 9?
By Roger on February 10, 2013 at 11:00 am
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…
By alphax17 on May 8, 2023 at 12:35 pm
How am I to go there ?
By Nesh on March 21, 2013 at 3:35 pm
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
By alphax17 on May 8, 2023 at 12:36 pm
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
By Dennis Ng on April 8, 2013 at 3:06 pm
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..
By Sofian on May 3, 2013 at 8:10 am
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!
By LisaMK on October 8, 2013 at 10:13 pm
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.
By Remember Singapore on October 8, 2013 at 10:41 pm
Map for a clearer view. There’s a small hidden path (white arrow) that leads to the pier-house
(Photo Credit: Google Maps)
By Remember Singapore on November 23, 2013 at 4:54 pm
I would like to know whether we can go in by the hidden path.
By vani on February 15, 2014 at 6:52 pm
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.
By Tang Pei Yuan on March 27, 2014 at 7:18 pm
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.
By Moejoe on October 9, 2015 at 12:37 pm
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.
By Gin Keat ONG on May 20, 2020 at 8:33 am
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-sungei-buloh-wetland-reserve-nature-park-lim-chu-kang-13033502.
Good news, Government will develop this place.
By Robin on August 19, 2020 at 1:59 pm
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.”
By Remember Singapore on August 20, 2020 at 8:25 am
Great to hear. Look forward to seeing the progress.
By Mairette Williams on August 20, 2020 at 11:04 am
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…
By alphax17 on May 8, 2023 at 12:40 pm
my grandfather used to own a seafood restaurant there but it got burned down by a fire 40 pus years ago, anybody has any clue abt it? i can’t find anything!
By aldee on July 5, 2024 at 10:53 pm
Hello, now, It’s integrated into the Lim Chu Kang Nature Park!
By Kang Ming on April 26, 2026 at 7:15 pm