Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall

With its magnificent clock tower rising between the theatre and the concert hall, this grand structure seems to beckon even from a distance. It’s architecture has Victorian, Neo-Palladian and Italianate influences, with a columned façade and decorative pediments. On closer inspection, the restored carvings on the buildings façade show tropical fruit unique to this region (see image below). The left wing, which is the now Victoria Theatre, is the original structure built in the 1850s to accommodate the town hall. The right wing, now Victoria Concert Hall and the Clock tower in the centre were only added in the early 1900s.

Tropical fruit adorn the carvings

During colonial administration, the structure served multiple functions, as a library facility, a memorial for Queen Victoria, a hospital during the Japanese Occupation, and as a trial court for war crimes. On 21 November 1954, ballots for Singapore’s first elections were counted under the clock tower and the PAP, led by Mr Lee Kwan Yew were inaugurated. It later served as a performing arts venue, and the concert hall as a home to Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

After a 3-year restoration costing $158 million, the Victoria Theatre and Concert hall reopened again in 15 July 2014, with the existing theatre and concert hall transformed into intimate spaces, designed to provide an engaging experience between audiences and the performers. Efforts were made to feature improved acoustics and functional designs that enhance the monumentality of the space. The original bronze statue of Raffles is located at the front of the 2 buildings.

Original bronze statue of Raffles, with the magnificent clock tower rising towards the skies behind