The Arts House is the oldest colonial building in Singapore. It was built in a neo-palladian style by G.D. Coleman in 1827 as a residence for Scottish merchant John Argyle Maxwell. But upon completion it was rented out to the government for use as a courthouse. In 1839 a single storey extension was added to function as a courthouse while the front was filled with public offices.
The East Indian company bought the building in 1841 and in 1847 it was extended to accommodate the recorder, jurors and prisoners. Because of the noise from the boatyard and a nearby blacksmith it was considered unsuited as a courthouse. Construction of a new building started in 1864 and soon after the courthouse moved out. It served as a supreme court until 1939 when the new Supreme Court was built. On 5 June 1959 it became Parliament house when the ruling party Peoples Action Party moved in to steer the path of self governing Singapore.
The building served as Parliament house until 1999 when a new Parliament building opened and it became known as Old Parliament House. In 2004 it was reopened as The Arts House a place for visual and performing arts. It was renovated for 15 million sgd and won the prestigious Urban Redevelopment Authority's Architectural Heritage Award. The Parliament Chamber was changed to a 75 seat movie theater i.a.
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