Keng Lee Road, Singapore
Keng Lee Road is a quiet, one-way residential street in central Singapore, connecting Newton Circus to Thomson Road in the bustling area of Novena. It offers residents a peaceful enclave amid a lively district, blending accessibility with charm.
Overview and Surrounding Streets
Keng Lee Road is a narrow, one-way road that links the iconic Newton Circus roundabout to Thomson Road. Flanked by low-rise residential blocks and landed homes, it sits tucked between major thoroughfares like Bukit Timah Road and the Central Expressway, yet retains a quiet local character. Nearby streets include Cambridge Road, Piccadilly, and Goldhill Avenue, forming a small residential enclave with easy access to surrounding commercial hubs.
History and Naming
The road likely dates back to mid-20th century urban expansions of the Novena area, though explicit records of its construction date are scarce. The name “Keng Lee” is thought to honor a local figure—perhaps a landowner or community leader—but detailed historical documentation remains limited.
The pronunciation of "Keng Lee" in plain spelling is /Keng Lee/. In the International Phonetic Alphabet, it would be pronounced as /kɛŋ liː/.
Interesting Sights and Vicinity
Despite its residential nature, Keng Lee Road is within walking distance of several notable sites:
- United Square Shopping Mall and Velocity @ Novena Square—convenient for shopping and dining
- Goldhill Shopping Centre—local shops and eateries
- Nearby, the Newton Food Centre offers vibrant hawker fare just minutes away
Real Estate Prices (as of mid-2025)
According to SRX data (June 2024), a semi-detached property of about 3,208 sq ft (~298 m²) on Keng Lee Road sold for approximately S$6.136 million, or ≈ S$1,913 psf.1
Nearby developments such as Keng Lee Court (freehold apartments built 1985) show recent listing prices between S$1.78 million to S$1.90 million for units around 1,055 sq ft (~98 m²), averaging S$1,687–1,801 psf.2
Transaction data for Keng Lee Court reveals a 474 sq ft (~44 m²) apartment sold for S$768,000 (≈ S$1,622 psf) in April 2024; larger 1,066 sq ft (~99 m²) units fetched around S$1.65 million.3
Rental transactions show one-bedroom units (400–500 sq ft; ~37–46 m²) renting from S$1,900 to S$2,700 per month; three-bedroom units (1,000–1,100 sq ft; ~93–102 m²) leased for S$4,000–4,800 monthly.3
Comparatively, these figures are well above Singapore's average property prices, reflecting the premium appeal of central locations.
Nearest MRT Stations and Lines
Residents and visitors to Keng Lee Road enjoy convenient access to several MRT stations:
- **Orchard** (NS22; North-South Line) – ~5 min walk4
- **Newton** (NS21; DT11; North-South Line & Downtown Line) – ~17 min walk4
- **Little India** (NE7; DT12; North-East Line & Downtown Line) – ~24 min walk4
- Also, **Rochor** (DT13; Downtown Line) is accessible within ~7 min walk, offering another convenient option.1
Nearby Bus Stops
Several bus stops are within a short walk along Thomson Road and Dunearn Road:
- Dunearn Rd – Opp Newton Station Exit C (Bus stop 40049) – ~2 min walk5
- Newton Rd – Newton Life Church (40129) – ~3 min walk6
- Additional nearby stops include Scotts Rd – Newton Station Exit B and the Newton Circus Terminal.5
Buses serving these stops include routes 5, 54, 143, 167, 48, 67, 170, 972M.4
Fun Fact
Despite being centrally located and well-connected, Keng Lee Road retains a serene, low-density ambiance—an unexpected quiet retreat nestled amid Novena's traffic and activity. Its tucked-away residential charm offers a peaceful contrast to its busy neighbours.
Quick Facts
- Location: One-way street connecting Newton Circus to Thomson Road in Novena
- Pronunciation: “Keng Lee” /kɛŋ liː/
- Nearby MRT: Orchard (NS22), Newton (NS21/DT11), Little India (NE7/DT12), Rochor (DT13)
- Bus stops: Dunearn Rd (Opp Newton Stn Exit C), Newton Life Church, plus Scotts Rd & Newton Circus Terminal
- Real estate: Semi-D ~3,208 sq ft (~298 m²) sold ~S$6.14 M (June 2024); apartments ~1,055 sq ft (~98 m²) listed ~S$1.78–1.90 M (Aug 2025); rentals from ~S$1,900 to S$4,800/month
- Character: Quiet residential enclave amid central Novena, close to shops and food
References
- SRX – Keng Lee Road semi-detached sale June 2024
- PropertyGuru – Keng Lee Court sale listings and PSF
- StackProperty – Keng Lee Court transactions and rentals
- PropertyGuru – Keng Lee Road listings (Aug 2025)
- Moovit – Bus and MRT near Keng Lee Road
- Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine – Newton Life Church bus stop nearby
Map of Keng Lee Road, Singapore
Painting of Keng Lee Road
Painting of Keng Lee Road
Page Details
This page was created on 14 August 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.Streets of Singapore Directory
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