City Hall

Two architecture icons along St Andrew's Road - Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall

From the Old Supreme Court Building, continue to walk down along St Andrew's Road. You will reach City Hall. Notice that the building stretches all the way to the junction of where Coleman Street intersects at St Andrew's Road. City Hall, originally known as the Municipal Building, was completed in 1929 on the site of former colonial homes belonging to Dr William Montgomerie of the East India Company (EIC) and Thomas Church, the Resident Councillor. The two private homes were  built in 1828 and 1830 by Singapore's first architect, George Drumgold Coleman (hence the street name). The homes were demolished in 1926 to make way for the Municipal Building.

In 1951, the Municipal Building was renamed to City Hall, when Singapore was proclaimed a city by the Royal Charter granted by King George VI. Thereafter City Hall housed various government bodies, and it became home to the Singapore judiciary in 1987. Swearing-in ceremonies of high government office holders were also held there. On 14 February 1992, City Hall was gazetted as a national monument. 

City Hall has witnessed many of Singapore's historic events. Among them were three meaningful events remembered by most people living in Singapore. These events signified the rise and fall of Singapore, and the birth of a nation.

Source: National Archives of Singapore

1. On 12 September 1945 at 11.10 a.m., a Japanese surrender ceremony was held on the steps of Municipal Building, which was accepted by Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten.


2. On 16 September 1963, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew read the Proclamation of Malaysia from the steps of the City Hall. He announced the end of the colonial rule and the formation of the Federation of Malaysia with Singapore as a member state.


3. On 9 August 1965, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first Prime Minister declared Singapore's independence.

Guess what is brewing at the end of this Golden Jubilee year?

The two architectural icons (former Supreme and City Hall), which are currently undergoing restoration and construction, will be linked together as the National Art Gallery. This will be the new jewel of the Civic District - the largest visual arts centre in the region. The National Art Gallery sets to reopen its doors to the the public on 24 November 2015 in commemoration of celebrating Singapore's 50 years of independence.

What are you waiting for? Mark your calendar now!