12 Shin Chung School

Goh Chan Lau is a fabulous five-storey mansion along Northam Road which, sadly, is today in a severe state of disrepair. The mansion is also known by various names, including the Chinese Residency, the Cheah Tek Soon Mansion and the Raffles-by-the-Sea. It is perhaps best known as the former Shih Chung Branch School Building, although the Shih Chung Branch School has since relocated to Sungai Nibong. Goh Chan Lau, which means "Five-Storey Bungalow" was built by late 19th century tycoon Cheah Tek Soon, after whom Tek Soon Street was named, somewhere in the 1880's. It had an eclectic mix of styles which could be described as Chinese meets Malay meets Colonial.