The Singapore government formally acquired the national monument at 38 Oxley Road on Friday, July 31 [1], [2].

The acquisition of the former residence of Lee Kuan Yew marks a transition of the site from private ownership to state control. This move allows the government to determine how the landmark will be preserved and shared with the public.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and the National Heritage Board (NHB) announced the acquisition on Friday [3]. The site will be developed into a public space, the government said [1].

Officials noted that the development process will be carefully managed. The National Heritage Board said it will study how to turn the site into a public space "in a manner that respects Mr Lee Kuan Yew's wishes for privacy" [4].

The property at 38 Oxley Road has long been a subject of public interest due to its association with the founding father of modern Singapore. While the site is now gazetted as a national monument, the specific details regarding the acquisition amount have not been stated [1].

The NHB and SLA will lead the efforts to integrate the residence into the city's heritage landscape. The government's goal is to balance the historical significance of the home with the personal requests made by Lee Kuan Yew regarding the property's accessibility [4].

“The site at 38 Oxley Road has been acquired by the Government”

The state acquisition of 38 Oxley Road resolves the long-standing tension between public demand for access to a site of immense historical importance and the private wishes of Lee Kuan Yew. By placing the property under the National Heritage Board, Singapore ensures the site's physical preservation while maintaining a controlled environment that can adhere to the specific privacy constraints requested by the former prime minister.