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This article appeared in the April 9, 2026 issue of the monthly print edition. Subscribe now.
A historic conservation bungalow at 777 Mountbatten Road in Singapore has been relaunched for sale at S$45 million (about RM141.19 million), down 17.4% from its S$54.5 million asking price two years ago.
The freehold property is one of just 15 conserved bungalows along Mountbatten Road, known as “Millionaires’ Row” — an enclave of Victorian- and Art Decostyle homes built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were originally beachfront residences for wealthy families, before land reclamation between 1966 and 1985.
The site was formerly part of Grove Estate, a coconut plantation owned by Thomas Dunman, the first commissioner of police in the Straits Settlements, which included Penang and Melaka.
The house at 777 Mountbatten Road dates back to 1851 and was built by Dunman and his family. He lived there for several years after retiring in 1871, before returning to England in 1875. Dunman Road and Dunman Lane in Katong were later named after him.
In 1926, the property was sold to Lee Pang Chuan, son of Straits Chinese businessman Lee Choon Guan, co-founder of the Chinese Commercial Bank — one of the three banks that later merged to form OCBC Bank during the Great Depression.
The home has remained with the Lee family for about 60 years. Irish-born Mary Bernadette Philomena Lee, known as Mrs Lee, still resides there. Her late husband, Dr Alfred Lee — son of Lee Pang Chuan — inherited the property before it was passed on to her.
Among the largest on ‘Millionaires’ Row’
The conserved bungalow sits on a freehold site of 32,052 sq ft at the corner of Mountbatten Road and Crescent Road. It is the largest among the 15 bungalows along Mountbatten Road that were gazetted for conservation in 1993, notes Mary Sai, executive director of capital markets at Knight Frank Singapore, who is handling the sale.
With its double frontage, the property has two entrances from Mountbatten Road, and a third entrance from Crescent Road.
The house remains largely in its original condition. The timber flooring on the second storey and tiles on the first level are original.
Minor renovations were carried out between the 1960s and 1970s, including updates to the kitchen, installation of stained-glass windows to enhance natural light, and repositioning of the staircase.
Potential for expansion
The conserved two-storey house and its outhouses have a total built-up area of about 4,500 to 5,000 sq ft. The first level features a grand hall, living area and formal dining space, while the kitchen is located in the rear outhouse, connected to staff quarters and a garage. A family room is located on the second floor.
The property comprises seven bedrooms — two on the first level and five on the second — with all but two of the upstairs bedrooms en suite.
Offered for sale by private treaty, the property is described by Knight Frank’s Sai as “a rare freehold conservation bungalow with a storied history that seldom comes to market”.
Given the regular-shaped site — with a width of 51.2m and depth of up to 57.8m — the new owner could potentially add a rear or side extension of up to two storeys to increase the gross floor area, she adds, making the property suitable for multigenerational living.
Recent listings and deals
At S$45 million, the asking price translates to about S$1,404 psf on the land area, down from S$1,700 psf previously.
Last September, another conservation bungalow along the same stretch, at 755 Mountbatten Road, was put up for sale by an expression of interest (EOI) exercise. The EOI closed on Oct 29. However, no transaction has been recorded. The property sits on a freehold site of 21,327 sq ft, and had a guide price of S$32 million, or about S$1,500 psf.
The house at 755 Mountbatten Road operated as Kim Wah Hotel from 1982 to 2006 before being converted back into a residence.
A swimming pool and a two-storey extension were added at that time. It now comprises six bedrooms and a helper’s room. A title search shows that the property is owned by Sim Siang Choon, former chairman of Loyz Energy, and his spouse, Kwan Lin Siew.
The most recent transaction along the stretch, based on caveats lodged, was 759 Mountbatten Road, which was sold for S$29 million (S$1,391 psf) in April 2022 to Crescendas Eco, an entity linked to Lawrence Leow, chairman and CEO of Crescendas Group.
The 20,847 sq ft property — formerly the Sing Hoe Hotel — has since been renamed Mountbatten Hotel. In December 2025, written permission was granted for additions and alterations to convert it into a 38-room hotel, AQ @ Mountbatten, under the Aqueen hotel chain owned and managed by Crescendas Group.
Seller ‘genuine’ amid repricing
According to Sai, owner Mrs Lee is “a genuine seller” and hopes to find a buyer who appreciates conservation bungalows.
When the property was previously offered for sale via EOI two years ago, it attracted three bids, all below the asking price then.
With the revised guide price, Sai is optimistic that the property will secure a buyer.
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