Our Architecture & History

A growing Civic District

The 1920s is a time of economic prosperity and rapid population growth..

World War I leaves Southeast Asia virtually untouched, and post-war trading in rubber and tin reaches its peak.

In Singapore, the British government embarks on a nation-wide building programme, resulting in the completion of many important civic buildings, including the General Post Office (1928), the Municipal Building, and Clifford Pier at Collyer Quay (1931).

The need for new premises

As Singapore’s building and infrastructural demands grew, the administrative functions of the municipality also expanded to meet the needs of the swelling population.

Established in 1856, the Municipal Council was responsible for Singapore’s transportation and infrastructural needs, which included the construction of roads and bridges, and the supply of water, gas, lighting, and electricity.

Originally housed at the old Town Hall at Finlayson Green, the premises of the Municipal Council had become increasingly inadequate over the years.

Acquiring land within the Civic District

In 1920, the Municipal Council bought over the land next to the Europe Hotel.

Acquisition of the site

The Commissioners erect a new building for the Municipal Council in 1925.

Design of the Municipal Building

Alexander Gordon’s plans for a new Municipal Building are approved. The two remaining bungalows next to Europe Hotel are demolished and construction commences.

Completion of Municipal Building

The Municipal Building is completed and declared open on 23 July 1929. The building houses the Treasury; the Health, Town Cleaning, Sewerage, and Sanitary departments; and the offices of the Municipal architects, engineers, and surveyors. Construction costs $1.605 million Straits dollars.

Closure of Europe Hotel

Europe Hotel runs into financial hardship and ceases operations. It is demolished in 1934..

Need for a new Supreme Court

Roof of Supreme Court at Maxwell House collapses after a heavy downpour.

Design for a new Supreme Court

The government acquires the site of the demolished Europe Hotel for the Supreme Court. The design for the new building by Frank Dorrington Ward, Chief Architect of the Public Works Department, is unveiled to the public.

Plans for a new Supreme Court were approved and Frank Dorrington Ward’s design for the building was unveiled to the public.

Construction of the new Supreme Court

Construction for the Supreme Court Building commences in 1937, eight years after the completion of the Municipal Building.

On 31 January, piling work for the Supreme Court is completed.

On 1 April, Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Thomas Shenton Whitelegge Thomas, lays the foundation stone of the Supreme Court building. The foundation stone is to be uncovered in the year 3000 to reveal a sealed cylindrical brass casket containing six Singapore newspapers dated 31 March 1937 and a handful of coins.

Opening of the Supreme Court

On 30 July, records weighing 18 tonnes are moved from the old courthouse to the new Supreme Court building.

On 3 August, Sir Shenton Thomas opens the Supreme Court building and hands it over to Chief Justice Sir Percy McElwaine. The building cost $1.75 million Straits Dollars to construct.

The Supreme Court building is the last neoclassical architecture built in Singapore.

World War II begins on September 1, 1939, with the German invasion of Poland.

Japanese Occupation

The Municipal Building is opened to the public for shelter during the Japanese raids in 1942.

The Japanese occupies Singapore, renaming it as Syonan. The headquarters of the Syonan Tokubetsu Shi (Municipal Administration) was set up in the Municipal Building Singapore and Supreme Court was used as the Syonan Supreme Court.

Japanese surrender

World War II ends.

German armed forces surrender unconditionally to the Allies on 7 May 1945.

Two weeks later, another Japanese surrender ceremony is held in the Municipal Building. Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten accepts the surrender of the Japanese forces on 12 September 1945, on behalf of the Allied forces.

Town to City

Singapore is proclaimed a City of the British Commonwealth and the Municipal Building is renamed the City Hall building.

Self-governance
5th June

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and members of his Cabinet take their Oaths of Allegiance and Oaths of Office on 5 June 1959 in the City Hall Chamber.

Prime Minister’s Office at the City Hall

The offices of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of National Development, and the Ministry of Culture are set up in the City Hall building.

The Preservation of Monuments Board is established in 1971

First Malayan-born Chief Justice of Singapore

Wee Chong Jin is appointed the first Malayan-born Chief Justice of Singapore, marking a milestone in Singapore’s judicial history where his predecessors are British.

Office to Court of Law

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew moves part of his office and the whole of the Cabinet office from City Hall building to the Istana annex. Foreign Minister Sinnathamby Rajaratnam takes over Mr Lee’s office.

Expansion

Additional courtrooms are constructed in the City Hall building to accommodate the increased workload of the Supreme Court.

Becoming the Gallery

Advisory Council on Culture and the Arts (ACCA) recommends in a report, to develop Singapore into an international centre for the arts.

Museum development was identified as a key strategy in the report, the Council foresaw the need for Singapore for eventually have a National Gallery to house its National Collection and to have a venue for international art exhibitions and fairs.

New Head of Judiciary

Wee Chong Jin retired as Chief Justice and Yong Pung How was appointed as the new Head of Judiciary.

Historical monuments

City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings were declared national monuments.

Announcement of a National Gallery for Singapore

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced at the National Day Rally Speech, that City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings would be converted into the new National Gallery Singapore.

Design competition

A two-stage international architectural design competition for the National Gallery is launched.

There are a total of 111 entries from 29 countries worldwide. Five proposals are shortlisted at the end of Stage 1. The top three winning schemes for the competition are announced on 29 August 2007.

A public exhibition is held in October 2007.

Winner of design competition announced

studioMilou Singapore, in collaboration with CPG Consultants Pte Ltd, is selected as the winning entry for the architectural design competition.

Archaeological finds

Two archaeological digs are held on the site of National Gallery Singapore. The digs uncover artefacts from the 14th to the 19th centuries, shedding light on the rich trade networks and livelihoods of the past.

Watch the construction time-lapse

Appointment of construction contractor

Takenaka-Singapore Piling joint venture (TCSP) is appointed as the main construction contractor for the project.

Restoration

Restoration works on the Supreme Court’s tympanum commences.

Building the link bridges

The first of the link bridges that connect City Hall and the former Supreme Court building is installed.

Opening of National Gallery Singapore on 27 November

Grand Opening of National Gallery Singapore with Guest of Honour, President Tony Tan.

Today, the Gallery oversees the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art.

Grand Opening of National Gallery Singapore with Guest of Honour, President Tony Tan.

Today, the Gallery oversees the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art.