Woodneuk in 2014 (the roofing gone as a result of a fire in 2006)
Tyserall and Woodneuk (source: Handbook to Singapore -1907)
Planned Land Swap
The land owned by the Regent of Johor is about 21.1 ha and part of it (the parcel of land marked as plot C -13 ha (which is closer to Singapore Botanic Gardens) will be transferred to Singapore, while plot A - 8.5ha which is currently state land transferred to Regent of Johor. A portion of the original land was acquired in 2004 by the state and part of this land is now is part of NParks Botanic Gardens expansion - the Botanic Gardens' Tyersall and Gallop extensions we see today.
Planned Swap announced on 11 June 2025 (source: Straits Times)
Woodneuk location in Regent of Johor land (source:one map)
Part of Tyserall land acquired by State and part of NParks
For me this news is interesting as i see it as a future opportunity for the Urban Planners to further expand the Singapore Botanic Gardens and expand its green space to this area and also incorporate Woodneuk House or Istana Woodneuk as part of its World Heritage Site area giving future generations of Singaporeans a fantastic space to enjoy and admire Singapore's rich nature and historical heritage and links with its neighbours.
So what is Woodneuk : It's Past and Present
In an article dated 1865, there was already mentioned of a Woodneuk house in the vicinity of Botanic Gardens for rent. A similar article putting out the place for rent appeared in 1883. In 1892, there was an auction of its furniture and furnishings of a person named D. Brandt in August 1892. The new Woodneuk House was completed in 1935 in time for the celebration of the Sultan of Johor's 62nd birthday and his 40 years of reign. Sultan Ibrahim or H.R.H. Paduka Sri Sultan Al-Haj Sir Ibrahim al-Mashur ibni al-Marhum Sultan Sir Abu Bakar (born 17th September 1873 and ruled from 4th June 1895 - 8th May 1959) ruled during this period. It was said this house was built for Sultan Ibrahim and his English wife Helen Bartholomew. They married in 1930, and she was crowned Sultanah Helen Ibrahim in 1931.
Sultan Ibrahim and Sultanah Helen Ibrahim
Woodneuk was a beautiful place and was described one built with bricks and stones. The building is colored dark cream and grey with a roof of lovely blue shimmering Devonshire tiles. The doors are made to fold back fully and at the blue lounge where the 2 staircase are located, the main coloring is a soft shade of pastel blue. The panels you see behind the column in between the staircase are beautiful screens made of light wood with panels of old chinese carvings. This panels were originally from Tyersall. The parquet flooring has persian rugs with the central rug being of beautiful soft blue with brocade and china themes. The article goes on to describe even the second floor. What i have done below is to illustrate what it looked like in the past and its current state.
Past and Present (Staircase)
Past and Present (Dinning area)
Past and Present (upstairs lounge)
Past and Present (bedroom)
A Palace that no longer exist - Tyersall House (Istana Tyersall)
Originally a country house, it was owned by Mr. William Napier and built in 1854. Sitting on 67 acres of land, it was put up for sale in 1857 and ownership transferred to the Sultan of Johore. It was rebuilt on a larger scale by 1892. Sultan Abu Bakar threw a party or ball, marking its reopening on January 15, 1895. The roof of the new house was said to have a distinct red tiled roof. The map below provides concrete evidence that they were different buildings based on maps that date as far back as 1907 by Rev. G.M. Reith. 1895 marked also the death of Sultan Abu Bakar, and Sultan Ibrahim who succeeded as Sultan of Johore preferred Woodneuk house when he came to Singapore. The Tyersall house suffered a major fire in September 10, 1905 which damage the central portion including its ballroom. The cause given was faulty wiring and damages was estimated to be $40,000-$50,000. It suffered another fire in 1932 and from what i gathered, the building cease to exist by 1947.
Tyersall photo circa 1929
Tyersall House (picture taken from the lake) (source: National Archives )
Tyersall House and first motor meet in June 1907 (source:NewspaperSG)
Pre and Post War Stories
In 1940, the Sultan of Johore allowed for part of the Tyersall Park to be used by the Indian Troops HQ to be stationed and converted as a military camp area with many vehicles in a mechanisation effort of the Indian Army. The field hospital was also built here. It was the Australian Field HQ of Gen. Bennett during WW2 during the Japanese invasion, as well as the Indian Regiments Field Hospital. After Singapore was liberated, it was occupied by Sir Miles Dempsey, followed by Commander-in-Chief Sir Montagu Stopford and in January 16, 1947, Governor-General Mr. Malcolm MacDonald occupied the place. In 1948, Woodneuk was returned to the Sultan of Johore for his official use.
There was an article on the Johore Government allocating $14,500 in 1954 to re-roof Istana Besar, Johore Bahru and the Istana Woodneuk, Singapore. After Sultan Ibrahim passed away in 1959, Woodneuk seem to have finally lost its lustre with hardly any articles mentioning invites, visitation or even for its maintenance, was mentioned. At some point, Woodneuk was unoccupied and a fire in 2006 caused further damage to the place. A heritage building, it is now in a sad state waiting for a slim hope that it can be saved before total collapse.
Woodneuk before the fire that cause it's beautiful blue roof to collapse. circa 2006 (credit: Positive Image Photography)
Woodneuk in 2014 (the roofing gone as a result of a fire in 2006)
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