Living on Amber Road, Marine Parade

ERIC TANG works in finance and is an expat from Hong Kong. He shares his views on his Marine Parade condo, and what he likes about living on Amber Road and near East Coast Park.

Living near Marine Parade

Where do you live and what do you like about it? Amber Road. I’ve been here one and a half years; I like this suburb, and especially the public spaces along East Coast Park.

What’s a common myth or misconception about Marine Parade? That it’s in the far, far east of Singapore; but it’s actually quite close and convenient to the city.

Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home? “Marine Parade, Amber Road, Number 9.”

Closest MRT station? Tanjong Katong (brown Thomson-East Coast Line).

Amber Road highlights

When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see? Snails and worms!

What’s the closest store or service centre to your front door? The Chinese Swimming Club, which dates back to 1905.

We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of? Roosters crowing and birds chirping from 6am in the morning.

What’s the unofficial uniform of Amber Road? Tight cycling shorts.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen on your street? Peacocks crossing the road with nobody looking surprised.

About your Marine Parade condo

Name of your condo: Coastline Residences
Facilities: Gym, swimming pool, carpark, kids’ playground
Size: The apartment is 460 square feet; the condo has 144 units
New or old: New (2022)
Walking distance to supermarket? 15 minutes

Things to do in the area around Marine Parade

What are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the neighbourhood? 328 Katong Laksa – amazing food and history; Jumbo Seafood at East Coast Park – for the food and the romantic sunset; and Birds of Paradise – you can’t miss that smell of ice cream cone!

What are the best places to shop near Marine Parade? Two malls: Parkway Parade and i12 Katong.

What are some fun or interesting things to do in the neighbourhood? Just go to the beach and do nothing. You’ll get a lot of energy by just watching how people hang out in the park.

What’s the community vibe? Casual and sporty.

What’s one thing you’d never change? The availability of good durians.

If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up your street, how would you use it? I would build a big sports playground for teenagers.

Exploring the rest of Singapore

What are your favourite Singapore spots for taking out-of-town guests? Definitely Marina Bay Sands – it has so many things to do under one roof.

When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go? Joo Chiat Road.

If you’re missing home, what do you do? Watch a movie in my native language.

History along Amber Road

At the opposite end of Amber Road from Eric is another condo, The Seaview, which is the former site of the New Sea View Hotel. Operational from 1969 to 2003, this was a newer incarnation of the famous old Sea View Hotel located on nearby Meyer Road. Built in the early 1900s before land reclamation, that hotel sat right on the beach and was lapped by waves; it also had an impressive ballroom under a domed roof. The owner, Reuben Manasseh Meyer (who also owned the Adelphi Hotel in this area), later leased it to the Armenian Sarkies brothers, of Raffles fame.

Speaking of historic buildings, within the grounds of The Seaview condo is an old Neoclassical house that still stands today – it operates as the condo clubhouse. It was formerly the outhouse in the grounds of the larger family home of Joseph Aaron Elias (1881-1949), a prominent personality in Singapore’s Jewish community. The house was occupied by the Elias family accountant, Joe Grimberg.

Part of another historic building, the Butterfly House (built in 1912 and also known as “23 Amber Road”), can be seen in the façade of The Aristo@Amber condo in this neighbourhood.

Tanjong Katong MRT trivia

Eric’s nearest MRT station, Tanjong Katong, opened on the brown Thomson-East Coast Line in June 2024. When plans for the station were initially announced in 2014, it was to be called “Amber MRT Station”, after Amber Road; the name was changed following a public poll in 2016.

How to feature in Expat Living’s Street Talk series:

If you love your neighbourhood, share it with our readers! Just email us at contribute@expatliving.sg with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.

This article first appeared in the August 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!

To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free!