Tan Tong Meng Tower: History, Haunting & Property Details

Most people driving along Thomson Road barely notice the beige tower rising behind the trees. Yet for the residents and curious visitors who do, Tan Tong Meng Tower is a quiet landmark — a freehold condominium completed in 1977 that has stood for nearly half a century. This guide separates the verifiable facts from the neighbourhood chatter, covering its history, market performance, and the persistent rumours that surround it.

Completion year: 1977 ·
Tenure: Freehold ·
Land area: 4,144 sqm ·
Gross floor area: 11,604 sqm ·
Location: Thomson Road, District 11

Six data points define Tan Tong Meng Tower’s physical footprint.

The implication: Tan Tong Meng Tower’s generous land area for a 1977 condo suggests it was built when suburban density was lower, giving it a footprint rare among newer developments.

What is Tan Tong Meng Tower known for?

History and development

• Completed in 1977 by Tan Tong Meng Co Pte Ltd (PropertyGuru (property listing platform); HomeJourney (real estate database))
• Freehold tenure on a 4,144 sqm site (HomeJourney)
• One of the earlier condo developments in District 11, a prime residential area near Novena and Orchard Road (EdgeProp (property data portal))

Notable incidents and myths

• Online forums regularly mention the tower as “haunted” (MyCarForum (community discussion board))
• Some users claim the building “leans like a tower” – a rumour that persists without structural evidence
• TCS artists reportedly lived there in the 1990s, adding to the building’s mystique

Architectural features

According to PropertyGuru, the tower rises 18 floors with a total of 35 units. Each unit is a spacious 5-bedroom layout of about 3,240 sq ft – a size almost unheard of in today’s new launches.

The pattern: Tan Tong Meng Tower is known less for its architecture than for the stories that surround it – a mix of verified history and unverified lore that has shaped its public image.

How old is Tan Tong Meng Tower?

Completion year and timeline

• Completed in 1977 (PropertyGuru (property listing platform)) – over 45 years old as of 2026
• Developer Tan Tong Meng Co Pte Ltd registered the project (HomeJourney)
• Recorded transactions from 1998 to 2021 show a long trading history (EdgeProp (property data portal))

Comparison with other older condos in Singapore

Tan Tong Meng Tower is among the older freehold condos in Singapore, but it is not the oldest. Developments such as Beverly Mai (completed earlier) predate it, according to property forums. The tower’s age places it in a small cohort of 1970s freehold builds that still have active listings on PropertyGuru.

Why this matters: Age affects everything from maintenance costs to loan eligibility. Buyers need to weigh the freehold security against the reality of a 45+ year-old building.

Who is Tan Tong Meng?

Possible identity and connections

• No publicly available biography confirms who Tan Tong Meng was
• The developer name “Tan Tong Meng Co Pte Ltd” appears in property records (HomeJourney)
• Some online speculation connects him to the Tan family of property developers, but no evidence ties him to specific individuals like Roland Tan or Tan Wu Meng

Tan family in Singapore property development

While the surname Tan is common among Singapore’s early developers, the exact lineage of Tan Tong Meng remains undocumented. No official records from the Urban Redevelopment Authority or the Singapore Land Authority provide a personal profile. The developer entity itself may have been a family vehicle for a single project.

The catch: Without a concrete identity, the building’s namesake remains a mystery – a blank space that folklore has filled with speculation.

What are the reviews of Tan Tong Meng Tower?

PropertyGuru reviews and ratings

• Current listings show units available for sale in 2026 (PropertyGuru)
• Median transaction price (2020–2021): S$3,450,000 (HomeJourney)
• Highest recorded psf: S$1,142 in August 2021; lowest: S$265 in 1998 (EdgeProp)

Community discussions on Reddit and Facebook

• Reddit threads describe the tower as “odd-looking” and mention “haunted units” (2021)
• Facebook groups discuss maintenance issues and the building’s “creepy” atmosphere
• MyCarForum users recall TCS artists residing there in the 1990s

The pattern: Reviews are sharply divided – praise for location and space, criticism for age and paranormal lore.

Is Tan Tong Meng Tower haunted?

Reported incidents and stories

• MyCarForum threads claim residents have experienced unexplained phenomena
• Stories include lights flickering, cold spots, and sounds of footsteps in empty units
• No official investigation or media report has confirmed any paranormal activity

Drowning rumor

A frequently repeated rumour alleges that a child drowned in the condominium’s swimming pool. However, no police record, news article, or official document corroborates this claim. The story appears only in informal online discussions and is likely apocryphal.

Community beliefs and urban legends

• The tower’s distinctive, somewhat asymmetrical shape fuels rumours that it was built on a “cursed” site or with poor feng shui
• Some Redditors claim the building “leans like a tower,” though no structural survey confirms this
• The lack of official information about the namesake adds to the building’s mysterious aura

The caution: Without credible evidence, the haunting stories remain exactly that – stories. But they have a real impact on market perception and resale velocity.

Specifications at a glance

Twelve specifications that define the tower’s physical and legal identity.

Data compiled from PropertyGuru, HomeJourney, and EdgeProp.

The pattern: these specifications place Tan Tong Meng Tower in a small niche of large-unit freehold condos built in the 1970s.

Pros and cons

The balance: the upsides of freehold and space are weighed against age and reputation.

Timeline signal

• 1977 – Tan Tong Meng Tower completed (PropertyGuru)
• 2021 – Reddit post about haunted tower gains traction (Reddit, MyCarForum)
• 2026 – Units listed for sale on PropertyGuru (PropertyGuru)

Data from PropertyGuru.

The pattern: Over nearly five decades, the tower has transitioned from a residential development to a cultural talking point, with its market activity continuing in the background.

Clarity: what we know vs. what we don’t

The distinction: separating confirmed facts from unverified claims is essential for informed decisions.

What residents and observers say

“This is the odd-looking tower near Novena that everyone says is haunted. I’ve walked past it at night – creepy vibes, for sure.”

— Reddit contributor (2021)

“A freehold condominium located along Thomson Road near Novena. Perfect for those who want space and proximity to the city.”

— PropertyGuru listing description

Both perspectives illustrate the split between market appeal and popular reputation.

Summary

Tan Tong Meng Tower is a freehold relic from the 1970s that offers something rare in Singapore’s property market: genuinely large units on a central plot with no lease expiry. But its age and paranormal baggage create a real discount – or a real risk, depending on your appetite. For potential buyers in Singapore’s District 11, the choice is clear: invest in a freehold asset with a storied past and generous floor area, or wait for a newer development with fewer question marks.

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