The Civic District I

The Homes of the Past...

There were 2 private homes at the site where City Hall currently stands. One was built in 1823 and functioned as Dr. William Montgomerie of the East India Company’s private residence. The second was built in 1830 and was Thomas Church, the Resident Councillor’s home. In 1926, the these two homes were demolished so as to make way for the Municipal Building which was to house the growing administrative services.

From Municipal Building to City Hall

King George VI granted Singapore city status by the Royal Charter in 1951 and so under that charter the Municipal Building was renamed City Hall. Singapore’s City Council called it home until 1963 and after its evacuation several other government departments (Public Utilities Board, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the former Ministry of Culture) had its office here before the Singapore judiciary staked its claim. Before the City Hall building could be annexed by the Singapore judiciary in 1987, it underwent extensive renovations.




It All Happened Here...

1945 -The surrender of the Japanese was accepted by Lord Louise Mountbatten.
-The first Mayor of Singapore was sworn in.
1952 - The installation of the first honorary citizen of Singapore, Sir Franklin Gimson
1959 - The declaration of Singapore's self-government
1963 - The declaration of Singapore’s independence

The Architecture

The City Hall Building was designed by Municipal architects, A. Gordon and F. D. Meadows and it was completed in 1929 where its Corinthian columns have been looming over almost all major milestones in the History of Singapore.

National Monument Status

Under section 9 of the Preservation of Monuments Act this building was gazetted on 14 February 1992 as one of Singapore's National Monuments.



Trivia

Did you know that this building is going to be opened to the public in 2013 as the National Art Gallery?

Please click on the picture(s) to view the enlarged version(s)