Rich Colonial Charm in the City

Take a look around Singapore and you’ll see plenty of skyscrapers, modern buildings, and shophouses, but have you noticed old, grand, and distinctly unique buildings that look like they have extraordinary stories to tell?

Singapore has an illustrious history - from her early years under the British Colony’s rule, Japanese Occupation, back to the British, and finally the independent state she is now. Here are some of Singapore’s finest architectural structures that serve as reminders of our colonial heritage. Some built as early as the 1800s, these historical relics have been lovingly preserved and restored with the same splendor and charm they possessed during the colonial days.


The Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton Hotel sits on the site of the historic Fort Fullerton, a fort built in 1829 to defend the town at the mouth of the Singapore River. In 1928, The Fullerton Building was built, and following a S$400 million restoration in 2001, it became the monumental Fullerton Hotel you see today. The hotel is the perfect blend of old and new. Within its grand colonial exterior is an exquisitely designed contemporary and stylish style of décor. Its Doric columns, coffered ceilings, cornices and Italian marble floor have been restored to the original splendour it sported during The Fullerton Building’s heyday.

the-fullerton-hotel-singapore-2

Photo Credit: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

To showcase the unique history behind the Fullerton Heritage precinct, the Fullerton Hotel, together with the Fullerton Bay Hotel, has curated two complimentary guided tours. Available five days a week and open to hotel guests and members of the public, The Fullerton Hotel Tour and A Maritime Journey Guided Tour will take history buffs on journeys to discover the rich heritage, anecdotes, and historical significance of The Fullerton Hotel and conserved Fullerton Heritage buildings Clifford Pier, Customs House and the Fullerton Waterboat House.  Interested visitors can contact the hotels’ Concierge desks to register.

If you prefer a self-guided tour, you can get a copy of the Fullerton Heritage Trail map at the Fullerton Heritage Gallery. This tour will take you on a historically-rich tour along landmarks like the Foundation Stone, the Cavenagh Bridge, Old Supreme Court and City Hall.

*Tours for the members of the public and in-residence guests of The Fullerton Hotel and The Fullerton Bay Hotel are conducted on different times of the day, so do refer to the hotels’ websites for the most updated schedules.


CHIJMES

Well-known for its neo-gothic style, CHIJMES (pronounced “chimes”) is a popular lifestyle hangout which houses bars, restaurants, and cafes. Boasting a rich heritage, CHIJMES’ origins traces back to 1840 where it was built and named Caldwell House. It was later converted to a convent, Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) before being renamed CHIJMES  to represent both the convent’s acronym and the pleasant chimes of its tower bells.

chijmes


Raffles Hotel

The Raffles Hotel stands in the heart of the city and is undoubtedly one of Singapore’s most iconic and well-preserved colonial landmarks. Named after Singapore’s founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, it started out with 10 rooms in an old bungalow-style building in 1887 and is now one of the most luxurious hotels in Singapore. The Raffles Hotel takes pride in preserving the authenticity of the colonial times, and revels in a seamless fusion of colonial ambiance, rich history, luxury and impeccable 5-star service.

Upon stepping in to Raffles, one will be awed by the how the interiors have been preserved since the 1900s. History-oriented renovators have restored Raffles Hotel to the magnificence and splendor of that era.  Guests can stroll along polished teak verandahs overlooking tropical gardens to their luxurious, period-furnished suites. Sikh doormen greet and usher guests through the ornate wrought-iron portico into an impeccably preserved lobby.

raffles-hotel


The Former Supreme Court Building

The former Supreme Court building was built between 1937 and 1939, and its courtrooms and holding cells that have seen some of Singapore’s most notorious criminals.

Now renamed the National Gallery Singapore, the building, together with the City Hall Building, serves a new purpose as an institution continuously striving to strengthen Singapore’s role as a regional and international hub for visual arts. The National Gallery will focus on showcasing Southeast Asian art from the 19th century until now and tell the story of how cultures in Singapore and around the region evolved socially, economically and politically through time.

national gallery singapore

 Image courtesy of National Gallery Singapore


Old Parliament House

The Old Parliament House is another historical landmark of Singapore. Sporting a typical 19th century colonial architecture, it took on various functions before being renamed as the Parliament House in 1965 when Singapore gained independence. The building then served as the Legislative Assembly and Parliament House of Singapore. As Singapore progressed, operations were moved to an adjacent new building.

The almost 200-year-old building is now occupied by The Arts House, a centre for writing, writers, and ideas. The Arts House is an active supporter of Singapore’s arts and creative scene, and aims to promote and develop the literary arts scene in Singapore.

the-arts-house

 Photo credit: The Arts House


St Andrew’s Cathedral

The St Andrew’s Cathedral was designed in an early English Gothic style by Colonel Ronald MacPherson of the Madras Army. In 1973, the Cathedral was gazetted as a national monument. With eventful history that goes back as far as 1834, it comes as no surprise that the Anglican Cathedral was gazetted as a national monument in 1973. Visitors are welcome to tour the Cathedral from Mondays to Saturdays. The Cathedral also conducts complimentary guided tours on certain times of the day. Opening hours and updated schedules can be found on the website, so you may want to do a quick check before planning your itinerary!

st-andrews-cathedral


National Museum

Originally built as the former Raffles Library and Museum in the 1880s, the neo-classical National Museum is Singapore’s oldest museum. Joined by modern extensions of glass and metal, the building is now an iconic architecture with a seamless blend of contemporary flair and colonial charm.

national-museum

 

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