For more than 40 years, the iconic People’s Park Complex stands proudly along Eu Tong Sen Street. At 31 storey high, the yellow-and-green building is easily noticeable from far.
The complex consists of a shopping center situated below its residential block, which was completed in 1970 and 1973 respectively.
There are three gigantic Chinese characters on the side of the block that faces the main road. It reads “Zhen Zhu Fang” which literally means “Pearl’s Center”.
The complex was designed by a local company called Design Partnership, spearheaded by chief architects Tay Kheng Soon and Koh Seow Chuan.
According to architectural experts, the design of residential block was injected with British Brutalist element, which was hugely popular in the sixties and seventies. Buildings with Brutalist concept usually expose large areas of concrete on their exterior.
It resembles some of those residential blocks found in Hong Kong.
The original colour of People’s Park Complex was brown and blue. It was given a complete makeover years ago, turning it into the yellow and green appearance that we see today.
Published: 16 December 2010
Remember Singapore 
In early 1977, while I was waiting my GCE O level result, I worked temporalily as messenger boy near Chinatown. I enjoyed walk around this area and frequently lost. My “compass” was OCBC Building and sun so I could knew my location. Women worn Samsui dress and street hawkers were still seen around. Made me supprised when I found that there was a Boyan Community in the heart of Chinatown.
Do we know how to go to People’s Park Complex? Well the old shopping mall is located nearby Outram Park MRT station (East West line) as well as Chinatown MRT station (North East line). If you are travelling via MRT, then you may wish to refer to http://www.mynetbizz.com/map/singapore/chinatown/pasir-ris-to-chinatown-mrt.cfm which gives a detailed guide on how to go to Chinatown MRT station from all other stations including the recently launched Downtown Line Stage 1 as well the Circle Line.
I found the most magical product there 8 years ago. It was a two part mix that wasn’t toxic but turned as hard as rock. Really. I had to use a steel hammer to remove some. I wonder if the seller is still there. No clues on the packaging would lead me to the manufacturer.
Dear RemSG, I am SO happy I have found your blog! When I was 6 years old, I lived in Singapore for 4 years, from 1988 to 1992. My grandfather, Capt. Boris M. Kulikov, was the pre-last Chairman of SinSov Pte Ltd (Singapore Soviet Shipping Company Pte Ltd) from 1986 to 1992. We lived in the now demolished Beverly Mai condo in Tomlinson Rd. We we re there when SIngapore celebrated it 25th Anniversary of Independence! I have most vivid memories of the Sentosa island and the rail road, Haw Par Villa, the Zoo and the Bird’s Park, Chinatown where my grandfather and I used to eat durian, while my grandmother was fighting nausea, I remember People’s Park – my grandma’s favorite shopping destination, Serangoon market, the Clifford Pier from where we took rides to the tiny islands for a weekend retreat (does the Turtle Island still exist?!). And there are many places that I do not remember names of… I have been wishing to return to Singapore at least for a week to revisit my childhood and to see how this great city has changed. Your blog is an irreplaceable resource – thank you!!
Love people’s park complex a bit old but very quaint