a.k.a. Administrative Central
Civic District One is a homage to Singapore's colonial past and heros (some non-colonial one as well). The trail showcases some of the emblems from our past. These emblems serve to remind us of our shared history and are one of the common binds which thread us as a nation.
Some may judge them as contrived creations which are not rooted in any concrete bond. One has to realise that Singapore is a young nation housing a cauldron of individualized heritages. Singaporeans need a universal nexus so that we are coalesced into a society.
Why? Why do we need such a commonality? Why is this so important?
The human psyche has an innate need to belong. To know that one are part of a grander scheme. The emblems on the trail gives Singaporeans tangible entities which helps them feel that they are part of the grander scheme.
What are these emblems? What do they represent and what do they mean to us?
Raffles - The Man
Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles is considered the founding father of modern Singapore. He was a British Colonial Official with the East India Company. In 1819, he established a trading post in Singapore on behalf of the East India Company. It seemed as though he had a vision in his mind for this nation that he “birthed”. Given the number of places, streets named after Sir Stamford Raffles it was not difficult to realize people’s open admiration for his contributions towards Singapore. SIngaporean honor the memory of Raffles by educating their young on the significance of Raffles’ contributions to Singapore.
The Statue
The original Sir Stamford Raffles' Statue was sculpted by Thomas Woolner. On June 27, 1887, this statue was installed at the Padang, facing the sea, between St Andrew's Road and Connaught Drive, on Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Day. It was unveiled by Sir Frederick Weld, then Governor of the Straits Settlements. Unfortunately, Padang was a popular playing field for football enthusiast. The statue was subjected to waylaid balls and was often used as a “box seat” during games. The authorities felt that the founding father needed a more honorable address.
On February 6, 1919, the statue relocated to Empress Place, in front of Victoria Memorial Hall, during the Centenary Celebrations. Interestingly the statue is positioned in such a way that it is facing the location assumed to be Raffles’ initial landing site at the mouth of the Singapore River. It is also placed axially with the centre of the clock tower of the Victoria Hall. To commemorate the statue’s new address and to acknowledge Raffles’ contribution to Singapore, a tablet was placed at its plinth. This tablet also carried the engraving of Raffles' Arms and the Knight's motto on a bronze shield placed at the base of the granite pedestal.
During the 150th anniversary of the founding of Singapore, a plaster cast of the original was used to recast a polymarble copy. This copy now stands at the side of Empress Place at a marking where it is believed to be Raffles' landing site. To differentiate the 2 statues of Raffles, The original in front of Victorian Theatre and Concert Hall is affectionately called the ‘black statue’ and the copy at the Singapore River is called the ‘white statue’. It is interesting to note that the copy is aligned with the original so the ‘black statue’ is look at the site where his copy is residing!
The Significance
The doubting Thomas may be prompted to ask if the concept of “Raffles as the founder Singapore” was overplayed as the national narrative. When one questions this, one has to be clear about the definition of a ‘founder’. A founder is a person who finds something. So if the finding is a single action then Raffles would be the original colonizer of SIngapore. If finding is a process then, Raffles will be one of the colonizer and this definition would have to include his successors Major-General William Farquhar (1st Resident of Singapore) and Dr. John Crawfurd (2nd Resident of Singapore).
Whatever the definition of founder is and who ever is considered the founder, one maybe puzzled at Singapore’s the open adulation of a colonizer. Singapore is quite different from other British colonies as there was not a long drawn civilization in this island. This island was part of the Johore-Riau Sultanate and has always been a bystander or minor player in the events of the region. The colonization of Singapore by the Brtish actually thrust us into the international stage. The lack of a convoluted past and the eventual stardom means that people did not seem to mind the anachronism. In fact, according to Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the statue of Raffles is a symbol of not only Singaporean’s acceptance of its British legacy but also evidence that such legacy could be a positive occurrence to a country’s development. 
Trivia
Did you know that it was Dr. Albert Winsemius, an economic advisor to Singapore in the 1960s (he led the United Nations survey team to Singapore), who foresaw the statue of Raffles as a symbol of developed Singapore?
We start our journey from the foot of the recast polymarble copy of the original Raffles statue.
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The Building
The building that is currently housing the Asian Civilization Museum was built from 1864 to 1865. The architect and engineer of this building was John Frederick Adolphus MacNair. It was built with the intended purpose of functioning as a Courthouse but upon completion in 1865, it was used by various government offices under banner of Government Secretariat.
The Municipal Council of Singapore changed the name of the building to Empress Place Building in 1907 when it renamed that area to commemorate the visit of the Empress of India, Queen Victoria's visit to Singapore. Even after attaining self-rule in 1959, the Government of Singapore housed several government departments in this building. The list of departments since 1959 include the Immigration Department, the Muslim Registry of Religious Council of Singapore, the Registry of Births and Deaths and the Singapore Citizenship Registry.
The Evolution
The government offices had to move out of the building in the late 1980s as they grew too large for the nest. The Empress Place Building wasset aside for restoration as part of the Civic and Cultural District project. The building re-opened as an art museum called the Empress Place Museum in 1989 after a period of 14 months. This museum project did not take off as expected due to the myopic nature of the exhibits. In 1995, the Government of Singapore handed the building to the National Heritage Board to become part of the Asian Civilizations Museum. In meant that this grand old dame had to undergo a second phrase of restoration and extension. This mammoth project began in 1998 and it reentered the museum scene as the second wing of the Asian Civilizations Museum (the first wing is located at Armenian Street).
The Architecture
Through the 2 phrases of restoration and extensions the building’s architecture remained constant. The Public Works Department maintained original neo-classical Palladian architecture style.
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. 
At the Moment...
The Asian Civilization Museum gives us an overview of cultures of pan-Asia and at the same time seeks to promote appreciation of different cultures that make up Singapore’s multi-ethnic society. When we walked into the building, we saw a huge landing that was left vacant, followed by a few tourists at the galleries. Walking up to the 2nd storey, an overview of the history of Singapore River was brought to us through a “mini maze” coupled with attractive pictures. It brought me to a realization that such a huge plot of land was used in an attempt to promote appreciation of different cultures. Yet there were barely a few souls seen in the museum when we went. Maybe more could be done to attract Singaporeans and tourists to this place for it to serve its purpose for this grand dame deserves all the warm bodies it can get so as to keep her going.
Trivia
Did you know that John Frederick Adolphus MacNair was the same person who designed the Government House (presently the Istana)?
Did you also know that the Asian Civilization Museum Building was built by convict labour?
Did you know that Empress Place is one of Singapore's oldest pedestrian space?
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The Buildings
This National Monument consist of 3 separate buildings: the Town Hall, the Memorial Hall and these 2 building are connected by a 54-metre clock tower.
The Town Hall
Around 1855 the Assembly Rooms (local dramas and operas were held) felt into a state of decrepitude. There was a need for a new town hall in Singapore. Thus, in 1855 the foundation stone for the Town Hall was laid and municipal engineer, John Bennett, designed the building in the common 19th century Palladian style. The building works were completed in 1862. This building was originally intended to house both a theatre (ground floor) and meeting rooms (second floor).
Eventually the Town Hall was home to a few government offices and had even served as the Singapore Library from 1862 to 1876. This building too was too small to cater to the administrative needs of the ever-growing population in Singapore, so by 1893 the offices moved out of the building.
The Memorial Hall
In 1901 Queen Victoria, Empress of India had passed away and the administrators of Singapore decided to build a Memorial Hall to commemorate the Queen. It was decided that the Town Hall will be incorporated into the degin of the Memorial Hall. So 40 years after the completion of the Town Hall, R. A. J. Bidwell of Swan & Maclaren undertook the task of commemorating an empress.
In 1905 the Town Hall evolved into Victoria Concert Hall and in 1909 the new Victoria Theatre was completed. Staying faithful to the Palladian architecture, the 2 exteriors were made homogenous. Governor Sir John Anderson declared the Victoria Memorial Hall opened in 1905. In the same event, the Town Hall was renamed into Victoria Theatre.
The Clock Tower
This connector was not completed until 1906 as there was a delay in the delivery of the clock and chimes by the donor, the Straits Trading Company.
A Place in History
The Victoria Memorial Hall has a special place in the history of Singapore. It is a wartime hero as it served as a hospital at the initial and late stages of World War II. In addition, it also saw the trails of Japanese war criminals after their surrender.
It also witnessed the political antecedents of our country for it was the centre for the briefing of Election officials and the counting of ballot papers for elections held since 1948. The People Action Party used the Hall for their inaugural meeting in 1954.
At the Moment...
In 1979, the buildings were renamed Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall and has become the home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
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 the Anderson Bridge is aligned with the axis of the clock in the Clock Tower?
Did you also know that the clock has a diameter of four metres and weighs one tonne?
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An Obelisk
An obelisk is a tall stone pillar with a square base and sides that taper to a pointed top. Over time, obelisks have became associated with timelessness and memorialization.
Dalhousie
Lord James Andrew was the Marquise of Dalhousie. He was the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856.
The Purpose
This monument was named after the Marquise of Dalhousie for his visit to Singapore on 17-19 February 1850 was received in great anticipation of a change in local administration for it signaled a reduction in expenditure.
The Straits Settlements was under the Bengal Presidency and upon his return to India, the Marquis brought the Straits Settlements under his control as Governor-General. This was an important occurrence as the Straits Settlements has been dissatisfied with the rule of the East India Company in Calcutta since 1840.
This monument was built not only to commemorate the change in administration but also to remind merchants of the benefits of free trade which was the foundations of prosperity in Singapore.
The Move
1850: Original Location - On the Cenotaph site off Connaught Drive
1891 : First Move - A few yards from the original site as it obstructed traffic at the Connaught Drive and Anderson Bridge.
1911 : Second Move - To its present location which is nearer the actual spot where the Marquis landed. 
The History...
The Obelisk was designed by Government Architect and Surveyor, John Turnbull Thomson. The residents of Singapore paid $5 subscription to aid the funding of its construction. This is why there are inscription in Jawi, Chinese, Tamil and English respectively on each side. 
At the Moment...
However,from what we have learnt about Lord Hastings, it would seems redundant to erect a monument for a man who has only been in Singapore for a few days. Most people wouldn’t even know who he is and he is not even a footnote in our history book. So why is it still on the civic district trail. One has to realise that his presence in SIngapore was historically significant for this tiny island as it was a sign of good tidings. He is part of our colonial past and this trail commemorates that particular past. 
Trivia
Did you know that the Dalhousie Obelisk's shape closely follows the famous Cleopatra's Needle?
Did you know that the landing jetty which was at the mouth of the Singapore River was named Dalhousie Pier and that area of the river-bank was called Dalhousie Ghaut?
There is an Dalhousie Lane (between Clive Street and Campbell Lane) commemorating the Marquis.
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Esplanade : a wide open space by the sea which is used for public walks or drives.
The Transformation
1819 : The area where the Esplanade currently is was covered with a low jungle and had a few huts.
1819 onwards : Although the area around the Esplanade was designated for government buildings by Raffles, European businessmen started building their homes along its frontage and the locals were not in favour of this. The shoreline actually came up to the edges of the current Padang and the Esplanade was about 64 meters wide.
1843 : After the land reclamation, the Europeans started holding their annual New Year Regatta there and this soon expanded into a full-scale Sports Day.
1840 : Horse-riding and pony races were introduced here.
1845 : It was enclosed with posts and chains to cordon off the area to protect pedestrians from being injured by pony-racing, drunken sailors and passing traffic.
1890 : Landfill and reclamation widened the Esplanade with a sea wall. A new road was built called the New Esplanade Road.
1922 : More land reclamation took place and this new land was called the Esplanade Park. The land separated by Connaught Drive (former New Esplanade Road) was differentiate as Padang and Esplanade Park.
1953 : The Esplanade Park was renamed Queen Elizabeth Walk to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and her assent to the British Throne. 
In the Park...
Esplanade Park houses many of the colonial monuments such as the Cenotaph, the Lim Bo Seng Memorial, the Tan Kim Seng Fountain and the former Satay Club.
At this Moment...
It was hoped that this simple park called Queen Elizabeth Walk which had evolved into Marina Bay would met into The Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. But, it looked pretty deserted as the only activity that can be carry out is photography. This seems rather wasteful of the amazing history of the park.
As it was then the park is still an excellent place for people to relax. Maybe we should take the cue from history. Just as in 1953, as part of the Coronation Celebrations, the seafront promenade was refurbished and renamed Queen Elizabeth Walk..Perhaps, more monuments can be built on this park to commemorate more of our local heros like Elizabeth Choy? Since was the park where our former colonizers used for leisure, perhaps the National Heritage Board could showcase some of the activities which were played out in the past. 
Trivia
Did you know that Connaught Drive commemorates the visit by Prince Arthur who was the Duke of Connaught? Prince Arthur and his brother of King Edward II came for a visit in 1906 and the New Esplanade Road was renamed to commemorate that visit.
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Lim Bo Seng - The Man
Major-General Lim Bo Seng was a prominent Hokkien businessman who under the alias Tan Choon Lim took part in anti-Japanese activities in Singapore in the 1930s. As part of these activities, he was a major supporter of the China Relief Fund. He also formed the Chinese Liason Committee for the Governor Sir Shenton Thomas needed assistance in civil defence.
Wartime Activities
Labour Services of the Overseas Chinese Mobilization Council
In 1942, he was the head of this council were he organised more than 10 000 men for the British Government to man essential services and constructed defences around the island. These men also helped dynamite the Causeway.
Force 136
He was joined by members of the British Resistance Group, Force 136 in India and was trained for intelligence work. He went on a recruitment drive in China in 1943. The main purpose of this group was to help the allied forces from behind enemy lines and to conduct guerilla warfare.
Capture
Upon a betrayal by the Malayan Communist Party leader, Lai Teck, Lim Bo Seng was captured at a checkpoint in 27 March 1944. This World War II hero died in Batu Gajah jail in June that year. 
MacRitchie Reservoir Burial
Lim Bo Seng was awarded the rank of Major-General posthumously by the Chinese Nationalist Government. His remains were reburied at the MacRitchie Reservoir.
At the Moment...
As we walked into the War Memorial Park, its serenity caused us to be aware of the significance of this place. In 1954, the marble pagoda of the Lim Bo Seng Memorial was unveiled. This was to commemorate the 10th death anniversary of the war hero. It is dedicated to a man whose heroism and selfless sacrifice is an example to all Singaporeans. But many Singaporeans do not know that his remains are still with is at MacRitchie Reservoir. 
Trivia
Did you know that Lim Bo Seng was honored in front of City Hall in a funeral ceremony, which was held in 1946?
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Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj - In Urdu) a.k.a. INA
Subhas Chandra Bose (Bose Netaji) was jailed 11 times by the British Government. He was part of Gandhi’s Congress Party but due to a clash of ideology. He did not believe that non-violence will bring about independence for India. So he eventually reformed the Indian Legion (or Azad Hind Fauj or "Free India Army"). Over time this came to be known as the Indian National Army (INA).
Singapore and the INA
Subhas Chandra Bose came to Singapore in 1943 upon the invitation of Rash Bihari Bose (a freedom fighter). Bose had the support of the Japanese government in his help to fight the British. It was in Cathay Cinema Hall where Subhas Chandra Bose proclaimed the formation of the Provisional Government and later declared war on Britain and the United States.
Bose was in Singapore when the Japanese surrendered. He left Singapore in a Japanese bomber, with the promise from the Japanese that they would help him to reach the Russian-occupied Manchuria. Bose wanted to gain the help of the Russian in his fight for India’s freedom. 
Indian National Army Memorial
The British government considered Subhas Chandra Bose as a rebel and so in 1945, this memorial was destroyed upon the British return to Singapore in 1945 under the orders of Lord Mountbatten (Head of Southeast Asia Command). Or, its destruction could have been due to the fact that the British did not want any memories of their shame in defeat (the fall of Singapore).
Indian National Army Marker
This marker stands in place of a memorial and both the original and the marker was/is dedicated to the unknown soliders of the Indian National Army who died during World War II. This marker was erected to symbolize the 50th anniversary of the end of Work War II.
The Inscription
‘Ittefaq, Itmad and Kurbani’; These are the words inscribed into the monument. Written in Urdu it means ‘Unity, Faith and Sacrifice’.
Trivia
Did you know that Bose was suppose to have been badly burned in the crash and subsequently died in a Japanese military hospital in Taipei? His ashes were brought to brought to Tokyo and placed at the Renkoji temple, where they have rested all these years.
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A Cenotaph
A cenotaph is a sepulchral (pertaining to or serving as a tomb) monument erected in memory of a deceased person whose body is buried elsewhere.
The Cenotaph
This was memorial was unveiled on 31 March 1922 by The Prince of Wales, his Royal Highness Edward VIII during his tour of Malaya, India, Australia and New Zealand. It monument commemorates the 124 men from the Straits Settlement who die in action during World War II.
Although officially unveiled in 1922, the foundation stone for The Cenotaph was laid in 1920 in a solem ceremony by His Excellency Sir Lawrence Nunns Guillemard who was the Governor of the Straits Settlements. This ceremony was witnessed by M. Georges Clemenceau, Premier of France and Minister of War and the Major-General Sir D.H. Ridout, General Officer commanding the troops. After World War II, a dedication was added on the reverse side to commemorate those who died in the second war.
The Structure
This sixty feet high granite sepulchral structure was designed by Denis Santry of Messrs Swan & McLaren.
Bronze Tablets - Bears the name of men from the Straits Settlement who died in World War I.
Steps - Bears the dates of the World War I.
Sarcophagus - A bronze lion beneath a bronze medallion with a laurel wreath of victory enclosing a crown. It is very symbolic as the crown denotes The Crown these men rallied under and it also represents the Crown Colony.
14 Pylons - These contains lists of names of famous battles and each battle is crowned by a laurel wreath. 
Haunting...
"They died so we might live"
This hunting phrase is inscribed in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil and it reminds us of another quote by Sir Winston Churchill.
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
The two phrases remind us that there are those who heed the call of mankind knowing that they may not be alive to taste the freedom which is consequential of their actions. To these brave souls we do indeed owe for they did die so that we might live. 
Trivia
Did you know that The Cenotaph was modelled after the Sir Edwin Lutyens Whitehall Cenotaph which is in Whitehall, London?
Did you know that The Cenotaph was created with just hammer and chisel?
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Tan Kim Seng - The Man
Tan Kim Seng was a prominent Chinese community leader and philanthropist. He also donated generously to the building and maintenance of a school for boys known as the Chinese Free School or Chui Eng Institute. He was also a well-respected figure, being the first Chinese magistrate in Singapore, a Chinese leader in Singapore and Malacca, a Justice of Peace and the Municipal Commission's first Asian member in 1857. He also helped in the suppression of the secret society riots in 1854 between the Cantonese and the Hoklo (Hokkien) communities.
The Memorial
In 1857, Tan Kim Seng donated $13,000 towards building Singapore's first public waterworks to ensure a better supply of fresh water to the town. The grateful Municipal Commissioners erected a Victorian style fountain to showcase their appreciation. The Tan Kim Seng Fountain was first housed at Fullerton Square in 1882 and it was moved to its present home in 1925. 
Trivia
Did you know that the Greek Gods on the Fountain includes the supreme ruler Zeus?
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The Killing Fields
Singapore was occupied territory by the Japanese Forces 1942 to 1945. Large numbers of civilians were taken away by the Japanese Army and massacred in Killing Fields around Singapore.
We will never know the exact numbers but the unofficial estimate of the massacred stands at 50,000 people.
Siglap was named the ‘Valley of Tears’ as 5 different mass graves were unearth. These were discovered during sandwashing operations in an area off the 7.5 mile Siglap Road.
Further investigations by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce led to the discovery of more killings fields.
1 at Evergreen Avenue in Siglap.
2 at 10.5 milestone Changi Road. 
The Atonement
The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce sought permission for a site along Thomson Road for the reburial of the dead. The dead were given their due respect along with plaques so that they are forever immortalized.
But this was not atonement enough. Our dead needed to be memorialized forever and Singapore needed a gesture to regain its dignity. In 1963, the decision to erect of a war memorial for the civilian victims of World War II came to pass. The was funded jointly by the people of Singapore and the Government of Singapore. 
The Memorial
This four pillared structure which was more than 68 meters high was unveiled in 1967 by then Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. This structure represents the shared war turma which transcends racial differences. Three of the pillars are symbols for the Chinese, Indians and Malays. The fourth pillar is a symbol for the other races.
It is a symbol of the shared 'war experiences' of the Chinese, Indians, Malays, and other races.
It is a symbol of putting the souls to rest.
It is a symbol of a nation putting its painful past to rest and moving forward to meet the future head on.
Memorial Service
Every year on 15 February Singaporeans gather at the Civilian War Memorial to commemorate the day were Singaporeans laid their World War II civilian casualties to rest. 
Trivia
Did you know that the monument was built on a burial chamber which contained ashes of thousands of unknown civilians exhumed from killing fields, that were discovered?
Did you know that the Civilian War Memorial resembles two pairs of chopsticks and so it is affectionately called the "chopsticks" memorial?
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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?
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The Plain a.k.a. The Padang (means field or open ground in Malay)
This oasis which takes center stage in an otherwise harried district was the location of Singapore’s first National Day.
In 1966, Singapore’s first President Yusof bin Ishak was met by her Defence Minister Dr. Goh Keng Swee while her Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and the rest of her guard waited patiently at the grandstand. Upon his arrival to the podium, Singapore’s National Anthem was played with a Presidential salute while her people gathered at the Padang.
21-gun salute boomed from the former Raffles Institution while our President walked the Padang viewing Singapore’s first independent parade.
At the Moment...
This historically rich ‘Plain’ witnesses Singapore whizzing past wait for the next magus opus so that she can claim her rightful spotlight; right in the thick of things. 
Trivia
Did you know that the Residence of Colonel William Farquhar set up his residence here at the Padang (in between the present Singapore Recreation Club and Singapore Cricket Club)?
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Prime Land...
There was a house built in 1829 and this house was the residence of James Clarke of Guthrie & Co. This home was then rented to Edward Boustead, founder of Boustead & Co. from 1836 to 1843.
This George D. Coleman original was so much in demand that Mr. & Mrs. Gaston Dutronquoy used it as the main building of their London Hotel in 1845.
The Dutronquoy later sold their establishment to a french woman who added sophistication to the district by remaning the London Hotel to Hotel L'Esperance.
In early 1865, Mr. Casteleyns decided to maintain the ambience by called it Hotel de L'Europe.
Soon the big boys were eyeing the property and they snapped it up and put their mark on it by extending the building. They decided that it was no longer just Hotel de L’ Europe. It was now part of Grand Hotel de L'Europe. But alas, fate handed a blow and before the Grand Hotel de L'Europe could see completion, it was sold in 1910 and renamed Adis Building
But human beings are such funny creatures. Despite the simplicity of the new name, they preferred the sophistication of Hotel de L'Europe.
The British administration finally staked its claim and demolished the building in 1934 so as to make way for the Supreme Court Building.
In 1939, Sir Shenton Thomas, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Straits Settlements declared the building open and handed over to Chief Justice, Sir Percy McElwaine.
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.
The Frieze...
There is a frieze of signing of the 1819 treaty between Raffles and the Sultan Hussein. It was not easy to locate the frieze but we eventually saw it just above the entrance of the building. We felt that something as significant as this should be more prominently displayed. 
The Architecture
The old Supreme Court Building was the last architectural masterpiece by Frank Dorrington-Ward (the Chief Architect of the Public Works Department) who firmly from the school of classical architecture. The Corinthian styled building has a large dome and elaborately carved Allegory of Justice, which are evocative of London's St Paul's Cathedral. 
Trivia
Did you know that the Italian artist, Cavalier Rodolfo Nolli worked on not only the old Supreme Court’s intricate Corinthian sculpture, columns and facings but also on the Throne Hall of the King of Siam some time during 1913?
Did you know that the Allegory of Justice symbolizes the fair and equal administration of the law, without corruption, avarice, prejudice, or favor?
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The Courthouse
This building is where age old justice meets the needs of the new millenium. The new Supreme Court is a physical representation of Singapore legal system’s dignity, justice, history, judicial weight, transparency and accessibility.
The Disc
A large metal disc crowns the new Supreme Court and this is a modern version of the historical dome in the old Supreme Court. In fact, this disc to its counterpart in the other building.
The Environment
This Norman Foster original uses glazed stone, which filters daylight into the building while emitting a gentle glow from the interior lighting at night. The multi-purpose cantilevered balconies functions as gangways for the maintenance team while shading the office spaces from direct sunlight. The disc at the helm of the Courthouse is coated with reflective material, the surface of the roof below the disc bounces daylight onto the underside of the disc and back down into the central atrium.
Trivia
Did you know that the New Supreme Court’s designer Lord Norman Foster was knighted in 1990, appointed to the Order of Merit in 1997 and was created a life peer as Baron Foster of Thames Bank, of Reddish in the County of Greater Manchester in 1999?
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Cricket
Originating in Southern England, cricket braved the unforgiving high seas to reach the shores of the Padang in 1837. The colonial cricket enthusiast saw their cricket balls whizz across the Padang and ‘hit the wicket’ for 15 years before formal meetings were held to discuss the setting up of the club.
Humble Abode
Despite the Club’s inception in 1852, first wooden-hut pavilion was only erected in the 1860s. The ever increasing popularity of the sport (and increasing European community in Singapore) paved the way for the completion the second pavilion, in 1877.
This upward popularity trend of the Club continued for years to come and by 1922 a third and fourth pavilion was added together with northern and southern wings. 
At the Moment...
To keep itself relevant to morden time, the club’s sporting interest has diversified to include a myriad of games. In fact The Singapore Cricket Club as 13 sports sections and these include squash, tennis and golf.
Trivia
Did you know that archaeological excavations at the grounds of the Club revealed Chinese coins dating back to the Tang and Sung dynasties and shards of porcelain dating back to the Yuan dynasty?
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The Oldest Survivor
G. D. Coleman designed this structure in 1826 for John Argyle Maxwell’s residencial usage. In 1827, it was rented to the Government so that it could function as a Court House. George Gerald de H. Laurent and John Cockrell bought over the building in 1829. 
The Tale of the Transformation
In 1839, a single-storey extensions were made to the building so that in addition to serving as the Court House, the building was also used by public offices.
In 1841, the East India Company bought over the building and in 1847, the new Court House extension was enlarged to accommodate the Recorder, Jurors and prisoners.
In 1939, this building was used as a government storehouse and as the Department of Social Welfare
In 1953, the building underwent renovations again so as to serve its new masters, the Legislative Assembly.
In 1959, it became the self-ruling Singapore’s Parliament House
In 2004, Coleman’s building was reopened as the Arts House after undergoing extensive renovations.
National Monument Status
Under section 9 of the Preservation of Monuments Act this building was gazetted on 14 February 1992 and 3 July 1992 as one of Singapore's National Monuments.
The Siamese Link
Phrabat Somdet Phra Poramin Maha Chulalongkorn, Rama V of Siam was possibly one of the earliest foreign dignitary to visit this British Colony. As a commemoration of his 1871 visit, he gifted this tiny island with a bronze statue of the elephant which currently resides on the grounds of the Arts House. 
The Irony
This building won the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Heritage Awards in 2004 for its success in maintaining the original charm in the mist of its transformation process, yet it has been documented that presently only the arches inside the porch are possibly from the original Coleman creation!
Trivia
Did you know that this building is siting on the site were the Temenggong Abdul Rahman and his followers called home?
Please click on the picture(s) to view the enlarged version(s)
