SINGAPORE – In the wee hours of many Sunday mornings, architect Thomas Yeo is often jolted awake by loud noises in his apartment complex.
The 43-year-old knows this means the work day has ended for many of his new neighbours, as they totter out of karaoke lounges at Peace Centre where they work to return to their homes in neighbouring Peace Mansion.
At this residential-commercial development in Selegie Road, long-time residents have complained that these new occupants keep odd hours that affect their well-being.
The problems started when the KTV lounges opened about a decade ago. But residents said conditions have worsened when employees moved into the residential units in recent years.
A resident who gave her name only as Ms Tong said: “The noise is particularly bad when the lounges close, and the girls who work there return to the residential units.”
She has been living at Peace Mansion since the 1990s.
Common noises in the early hours include the slamming of doors and metal gates, the dragging of furniture and loud conversations, said residents.
Mr Yeo said: “The noises happen suddenly, and they jolt us awake. They come and go, which also makes them difficult to police and complain about.”
He added: “I’ve had neighbours, especially those with young children, move out in the past few years because they were so frustrated with the noise.”
On three weekly stakeouts between midnight and 6am this month, The Straits Times observed groups trickling in and out of the property, with activity picking up at 4am.
Groups loitered along the walkway, with some shouting across the lobbies.
Three Sundays ago, one man, reeking of alcohol, lay unconscious on the lobby steps.
The residents’ noise complaints come under the building’s Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST).
When asked about the problems, Peace Mansion MCST did not reply.
Peace Mansion has about 80 residential units comprising three- and four-bedroom units.
It is unclear how many units have been rented out to employees of the karaoke lounges.
Entertainer Xiao Huanyu, 22, who works at one of the karaoke lounges, said her employer arranged for her to move into a bedroom in Peace Mansion three months ago.
“Peace Mansion is very convenient, especially since it is near Peace Centre, where I get my dresses for work,” said Ms Xiao.
She admitted that she sometimes comes home drunk after work, but said she tries to keep her volume down.
When asked, Mr Melvin Yong, an MP for the area, Tanjong Pagar GRC, said residents have previously complained about the noise.
In response to queries, a police spokesman said regular enforcement checks are conducted to ensure the entertainment outlets at Peace Centre comply with public entertainment licensing requirements.
Police also patrol the vicinity regularly to deter and detect crimes, added the spokesman.
During its stakeouts, The Straits Times observed police patrols and cars, particularly around 4am.
Mr Yong said: “I’ll continue to work with the police… to monitor the situation.”
Meanwhile, Mr Yeo said the noise problem has forced him to think about selling his unit as part of the property’s collective sale effort.
Owners have tried at least three times to sell Peace Mansion/Centre, but failed to obtain the requisite approval level of 80 per cent from the owners.
Mr Yeo said: “If this continues, I am going to look for another place to retire in. I had wanted to live here for the long term because Peace Mansion has a great location.”
“Source:[No peace at Peace Mansion, say residents] © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction”
