Searching for the most haunted places in Singapore? We’ve got another spooky tale for you. Matilda House began as a luxurious seaside retreat in Punggol, but for decades, it was widely considered one of the most terrifying haunted spots in the city-state. Before the modern gym and pristine rooms were installed, the property was a decaying, overgrown ruin that struck fear into the hearts of locals—with chilling tales of figures and curses. In fact, it’s one of the oldest houses in Singapore. Read on to find out about Matilda House’s haunted past and what it’s like today.
Matilda House history & ghost stories
The true story of this century-old bungalow is even more fascinating than the ghost stories. Built in 1902 by the wealthy Cashin family, the tropical house in Punggol was named after Alexander Cashin’s mother, Josephine Matilda Cashin.
For decades, it was a sprawling family weekend resort featuring fruit orchards, a tennis court, and horse stables. However, when the government acquired the land in 1985 for future development, the family was forced to move out and the property was left abandoned.
As the surrounding forests were cleared and the house sat in ruins for nearly three decades…it became the ultimate spooky hotspot for thrill seekers.
Locals dubbed it the Ghost House because of famous urban legends involving an ancestral spirit. Rumour has it, a long-haired woman was often spotted in the nearby trees protecting the grounds from trespassers. And according to myths, anyone who attempted to demolish the building would meet a grim fate.
Additionally, there’s unverified tales of construction workers dying under mysterious circumstances when they tried to tear it down.
Beyond its eerie reputation, the property was actually the filming location for two major 1980s television series—BBC’s World War II drama Tenko and the Australian miniseries Tanamera.
Matilda House today
Indeed, the once-grand estate was a notorious ghost house before transforming into a polished building. In fact, Matilda House has been completely replaced by a modern luxury, exclusive clubhouse for condo residents in Punggol.
Interestingly, the building was saved from being demolish in 2000 thanks to a gazetted conservation status granted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Property developers integrated the 120-year-old bungalow into A Treasure Trove by 2015. The beautifully restored red-and-white building now serves as an exclusive fully equipped clubhouse.
While paranormal activity seems to have vanished with the renovations, the architectural marvel remains a fascinating slice of Singapore’s history. The perfect Halloween 2026 story!
