Lost Lee Kuan Yew painting, forgotten artworks and other rediscovered gems
We look at some of these forgotten artworks that offer a different lens on the stories, struggles and successes of Singapore.
An LKY painting lost to time
In 1992, watercolourist Ong Kim Seng painted a scene based on a 1961 National Archives photograph. The image showed then-prime minister Lee Kuan Yew visiting the victims of the devastating Bukit Ho Swee fire, accompanied by fellow first-generation leaders S Rajaratnam, Goh Keng Swee and Lee Khoon Choy.
The original 1961 photograph that inspired Ong Kim Seng features Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Khoon Choy, S Rajaratnam and Goh Keng Swee surrounded by victims of the tragic Bukit Ho Swee fire. PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES
The fire – one of Singapore's most catastrophic – swept through about 100 acres of kampong land, destroying around 2,800 attap houses and leaving nearly 16,000 people homeless. It marked a turning point in Singapore's housing history, catalysing the shift from kampong dwellings to high-rise public housing.
'I was 16 when the fire happened,' Ong recalls. 'I, too, lived in an attap house with my mother and grandmother. Fire was a constant threat, especially during festive seasons when there were firecrackers and incense.'
The painting was so vivid, it was reproduced on The Straits Times' back page in 1992. Ong then entrusted the painting to a gallerist, who sold it to a collector. But Ong never met the buyer and eventually lost contact with the gallerist. The painting disappeared from view, but the image stayed with him.
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The Straits Times reproduced the original painting on its back page in 1992. PHOTO: HELMI YUSOF
Decades later, Ong decided to revisit the scene to commemorate SG60. Now 80, he brings a different approach to the work: his strokes are more considered and the composition is more introspective. He's also executed it on a larger canvas instead of paper – a subtle but significant shift that gives the new piece a quiet gravity.
The canvas has since been acquired by hotelier Sean Lim, who sees it not just as art, but as 'a window into a past that shaped our present, a reminder of what it took to build the Singapore we enjoy today'.
It will be displayed for the public at Art Agenda (Tanjong Pagar Distripark) from Aug 5 to 17, before it is transferred to Lim's conservation shophouse home for safekeeping.
Centring female and non-Chinese artists
National Gallery Singapore recently opened its new permanent exhibition, Singapore Stories: Pathways And Detours In Art, timed to coincide with SG60. But this is more than just a refresh – it marks a bold expansion in curatorial direction, centring artists who have long existed on the margins of the city-state's art history.
'When we asked visitors what they thought of previous shows, some said they wanted to see more works by women and non-Chinese artists,' says curator Joleen Loh. 'So with this rehang, we wanted to give space – actual space – to artists whose voices were never centred.'
National Gallery Singapore's new rehang broadens visual culture and includes more voices from women and minority artists. PHOTO: NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
The result is a more inclusive, pluralistic narrative. Alongside familiar names, like Kim Lim and Han Sai Por, are works by pioneering female sculptors such as Annaratnam Gunaratnam and Dora Gordine. There's also a spotlight on Rohani Ismail, a Malay artist and co-founder of artist collective Angkatan Pelukis Aneka Daya, who was both student and muse to Nanyang pioneer Georgette Chen.
The exhibition also expands the definition of what counts as art. Ceramics, posters, textile art, and filmmaking are presented with the same weight as painting and sculpture. P Ramlee's beloved films and Kwan Shan Mei's children's book illustrations are no longer curiosities – they're recognised as vital cultural expressions of their time.
P Ramlee's rich canon of cinematic works is honoured in the new National Gallery Singapore exhibition. PHOTO: NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
Deeper into the show, the focus shifts to the underground art activities of the 1980s and '90s: artist-run spaces, performance collectives, and cultural provocateurs operating outside – and sometimes against – mainstream institutions.
'We wanted to show how artists were constantly building their own ecosystems,' says curator Lim Qinyi. Figures like Gilles Massot and Ahmad Abu Bakar emerge in thoughtful counterpoint to dominant narratives.
The result is a richer, more porous account of Singapore's art history – one that doesn't just celebrate milestones, but also interrogates what's been excluded.
Voices from the margins
Meanwhile, a soon-to-open show at the massive Whitestone Gallery is also rewriting the narrative of Singapore art. Titled Sama Sama, which means 'together' in Malay, the group exhibition gathers 60 contemporary artists and collectives in a sprawling, free-for-all celebration of the country's cultural plurality – the big, the small, and especially the voices long pushed to the periphery.
Boo Sze Yang's painting depicts mourners in umbrellas and raincoats paying tribute to Lee Kuan Yew after his passing. PHOTO: BOO SZE YANG
'There's no way to 'survey' Singapore art history through just 60 artists,' says curator Wang Ruobing. 'So I didn't try.' Instead, Sama Sama is a curatorial experiment in radical openness. Rather than prescribing a unifying theme, Wang invited artists across generations – from 25-year-old Siew Guang Hong to 79-year-old Cheo Chai Hiang – and asked them a deceptively simple question: What work best represents you now?
The answers, it turns out, are thrillingly fragmented. 'Each of them has a little story of Singapore, the everyday of Singapore,' Wang says. 'Together, they paint a larger cultural landscape.'
Some pieces take aim at Singapore's power structures, like Anthony Chin's tall stack of S$1 coins that's meant to reach the ceiling and 'support' it – a poetic ode to the artist's struggle to survive. Others tap into pain and ritual, like performance artist S Chandrasekaran, who marks his own skin daily as a visceral gesture of minority visibility. 'His body becomes a vessel for unspoken histories,' Wang notes.
Anthony Chin's column of S$1 coins reaches up to the ceiling to 'support' it – a poignant metaphor for the underfunded artist. PHOTO: ANTHONY CHIN
Works span paintings, photography, video installation – even noodle sculptures and a full-scale getai stage. The result is a heady, multilayered ecosystem of practices – nothing neat or linear, but unmistakably Singaporean. The show opens at the Whitestone Gallery (Tanjong Pagar Distripark) on Aug 8 and runs till Sep 28.
Five other SG60 shows worth seeing
The Art Of Lee Boon Ngan: Much has been said about artist Chua Mia Tee, but too little is known about his wife Lee, who was also a talented painter . This show at The Private Museum (Upper Wilkie Road) redresses that.
The Other Singaporeans – Stories Of Home & Identity: Highlighting artists who are naturalised citizens, expatriates, and overseas Singaporeans, the show explores themes of displacement, migration and cultural hybridity. From Aug 16 at JW Projects (Kim Yam Road).
Artist's Proof: Singapore At 60: Now running at Helutrans (Tanjong Pagar Distripark) till Aug 17, this terrific showcase of over 95 provocative pieces from the collection of businessman Chong Huai Seng includes several voices from the periphery.
Material Moves: STPI (Robertson Quay) honours the works of Singapore's most revered veteran artists, including Han Sai Por, Goh Beng Kwan and Ong Kim Seng.
SG 60: To Build A Swing: Blending memory, architecture and emotion, the works of Akai Chew, Joanna Maneckji and Wan Kyn Chan explore what it means to belong, remember and co-create Singapore's evolving future. From Aug 15 at LOY Contemporary Art Gallery (Tudor Court).
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New Paper
a day ago
- New Paper
Time has stood still in this corner of Singapore
To be honest, I don't know why I feel so much nostalgia about living in Queenstown. I wasn't born in this estate, nor did I grow up here. Though I visited the area regularly through the late 1970s and early 1980s, when my family went shopping at the Tah Chung Emporium in Commonwealth Avenue or dropped by the old hawker centre in Commonwealth Crescent for cheng tng, Queenstown was not a big part of my childhood. And yet I feel a great sense of sentimentality living here. Whenever I am asked where I live, I proudly reply: "In one of the oldest HDB estates." That, incidentally, is not just local pride speaking. Queenstown was built even before Independence, between the late 1950s and mid-1960s, and is Singapore's first satellite town. Named to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, it's a veritable museum of public housing history. The estate was planned by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT), as part of moves to reduce congestion in the city centre amid efforts to tackle the country's housing crunch. The newly formed Housing Board, which took over the SIT's task in 1960, built its first blocks here. Singapore's first flatted factory was also built here, marking the beginnings of the country's industrialisation push. My particular block of flats is located in Commonwealth estate on the north-western end of Queenstown, which was built between 1962 and 1964. Officially named Neighbourhood III, this corner of Queenstown was - and still is - colloquially known as "Chap Lak Lau", or "16 storeys" in Hokkien, for three blocks perched on a hill that were Singapore's tallest HDB blocks at the time. Original fittings such as the 1960s-era doors and window louvres can still be seen around Commonwealth estate. PHOTO: LESLIE KOH Unlike many other old estates in Singapore, Chap Lak Lau has managed to retain much of its past. Most of the HDB blocks built in the 1960s are still around, with some flats even sporting the simple but solid wooden front doors dating back to that era. Several of the shops in the neighbourhood "square", such as the local hardware shop, beauty salon and Chinese medical hall, look like they've been plucked right out of that time, too. Block 115, the first flatted factory, is still around and continues to host a mishmash of companies. This sense of living in a time warp is reinforced by the fact that many of the older HDB estates in Singapore have undergone redevelopment over the years, which has changed the face of the heartland significantly. Nearby, the other parts of Queenstown have seen marked changes. The former Margaret Drive estate ("Chap Si Lau" and "Forfar House") is long gone. It is now the site of HDB skyscrapers and swanky condominiums. The 10-storey flats of Tanglin Halt, or "Chap Lau", are being pulled down. And chunks of Stirling Road have been redeveloped. Farther afield, the formerly new-but-now-old towns of Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio and Serangoon have received extensive facelifts and upgrades. Meanwhile, numerous new estates such as Sengkang, Bishan and Bidadari have sprouted up in what were once farmlands and cemeteries. And more changes are coming. Under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Draft Master Plan 2025, which was unveiled in June, we'll soon be seeing more new neighbourhoods in places like Dover and Kranji, along with more redevelopment in older estates like Woodlands and Yio Chu Kang. As Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday, we appear to have a decreasing number of living reminders of the nation's residential history and shrinking links to the past, at least in the heartland. Living with the past in the present All these changes have made living in my corner of Queenstown even more special. When I moved to Chap Lak Lau in 2004, I was delighted to find that some of my neighbours were the first and only owners of their flats. And they had some wonderful stories to tell, like how they used to rent their homes for $60 a month until they were allowed to buy their flats for a then princely sum of $6,200 under the HDB's new home ownership scheme. This scheme was first rolled out in 1964 - in Queenstown, of course. Some of the shopkeepers who had been there since day one (or whose parents had been) would recall how relatives and friends once labelled them "crazy" for moving "so far away from town". Chatting with these originals made me feel like I had travelled back in time, and become inextricably linked to Queenstown's past. Exploring the area, I was thrilled to discover the derelict concrete remains of what seemed to be a circa-1970s playground, tucked away in a "secret garden" behind my block that featured a broken red-brick path which looked like it had not been repaired for decades. It felt like I had uncovered an artefact from my past - even though I had never set foot in this corner of Commonwealth before. Once the tallest HDB blocks in Singapore, the three 16-storey blocks (right) that gave Commonwealth estate its colloquial name, Chap Lak Lau, are now dwarfed by the city skyline in the distance. On the left, in white, blue and red, is Singapore's first flatted factory. PHOTO: LESLIE KOH Observers have coined a term for this strange yet common sense of nostalgia for a place or experience that we don't actually know or have. It's called "anemoia", and I'm most familiar with it. It's that slightly sad, sentimental feeling I get whenever I enter a traditional-looking coffee shop with a dirty mosaic floor in a part of Singapore I've never visited before, or spot an ancient Singer sewing machine that still goes chug-chug-chug when I step on its treadle. Bittersweet feelings aside, nostalgia has its value. It makes us feel personally and intrinsically connected to a place, giving us a sense of stability and belonging when life seems to be moving past us too quickly. Whenever I return to Chap Lak Lau from a visit to Orchard Road or Shenton Way, where malls and office towers come and go, I experience a subtle but tangible sense of homecoming as I walk past 60-year-old shops, through a 60-year-old open-air carpark, and along the common corridor to reach my 60-year-old flat. Returning to an old estate makes me feel that I am a part of the old Singapore, that I am a true-blue, home-grown heartlander, even if I don't always speak Singlish and sometimes crave pasta instead of char kway teow. Not only that, it gives me a comforting sense that I still belong here, even if I sometimes feel left behind and bewildered by the latest technological developments and social trends. In Commonwealth estate's neighbourhood square, you can still find shops - from a beauty salon to hardware store - set up like they were 50 years ago. PHOTO: LESLIE KOH Not everything old is gold But that doesn't mean I'm resisting or mourning the changes that have been made to Commonwealth estate over the past 40 or so years that I've known it. I am immensely thankful, for instance, for the flat upgrading programme that added an extra room to my 600 sq ft flat, and for the network of covered walkways that link my block all the way to the nearest bus stops, MRT station, and even to Holland Village, almost 1km away. I'm a big fan of the new hawker centre with its swanky glass-walled lift and escalator. And I'm totally appreciative of the recent narrowing of some of the lanes in the estate to make them uni-directional and thus easier for senior citizens to cross. These changes have altered the landscape of my little kampung and made it look a little more modern, a little less nostalgic - but I don't mind in the least. Because, if I'm honest, nostalgic living isn't always comfortable. Commonwealth is full of old-school kopitiams and traditional provision shops, but there are times when I wish we had a nice, new shiny mall to hang out in and to shop and dine in air-conditioned comfort. Old-school biscuits stored in old-school ways are an everyday scene in Commonwealth estate. PHOTO: LESLIE KOH The common corridors in all the blocks here are a wonderful throwback to the 1960s, but I'd really prefer to have a private nook next to my flat, like many of the newer flats do, to store my bike. Right now, I have to lock it to a railing along the corridor just next to the lift, which I'm sure is a hindrance as well as an eyesore to my neighbours. And while I've always loved the 1960s-era layout of my flat, with its giant bedrooms, I could do without its 1960s-era hollow-brick walls, which let noise and vibration through with the greatest efficiency. I could also do with another toilet. My flat was built back in the day when it was probably considered a luxury to have a loo inside one's flat rather than a common outhouse for the whole village, which might explain the tiny, cramped unit. So I'm always hankering for a more modern one, with a shower area that can be cordoned off, so that the floor isn't always wet. Which it is now. Changes? Modernity? Bring them on, I say. Preservation and development: An inevitable balance Much has been made of the need for the preservation of old buildings, and for not despoiling old estates with ugly modern facilities. I understand the sentiments, especially when looking at a colonial building or standing in an old, dragon-themed playground. But I'm just as supportive of glitzy new malls, more covered walkways and porches, sheltered multi-storey carparks and manicured estate gardens and park connectors, because, well - they're nice. Neither am I one to bemoan the tearing down of old estates and establishment of new housing estates. Though I might feel a little sayang about the loss of Singapore's rural or forested areas, I accept the simple equation that more people means more homes needed. In the debate on preservation versus development, I'd probably stand right in the middle. Preserving history and heritage is certainly important on a spiritual level but, I would argue, so is improving the standard of living and comfort on a physical level. Physical comfort, surely, has an impact on our emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. Old homes and buildings are great to look at, but I'm not sure I want to live in one, if the modern comforts are missing. With the age of Chap Lak Lau past the halfway mark of 99 and approaching its end-of-lease deadline with each passing year, I may soon have to come face to face with this dilemma in a personal way. Ever since Tanglin Halt was slated for the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme in 2014, rumours have been swirling that my corner of Commonwealth estate could be next. Will I mourn the end of one of Singapore's oldest estates and the passing of an era? Or will I be celebrating the arrival of a new estate and modern flat with all the bells and whistles of the 21st century? I think it'll be both. To be sure, I'll miss the sense of history that's built into the bricks of this neighbourhood. That said, I have to confess that what I might actually miss most about this kampung is not its heritage, but the practical convenience of its location - the access to two MRT lines, the easy amble to Holland Village and the proximity to Orchard Road. And what will I be looking forward to? A shiny new toilet would be nice.
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- AsiaOne
From airport hangouts to the Uniqlo 'uniform': What makes us quintessentially Singaporean, Lifestyle News
With Singapore turning 60 this year, much of the attention has understandably been on the tangible things — think SG60-specific collections or the slew of exciting events to attend. While that's all well and good, perhaps there's value in pausing for a moment of introspection. Singapore's upcoming birthday had me asking myself: "What really makes us quintessentially Singaporean?" When more than 3 million citizens share just over 735 sq km of land, it's inevitable that we'd develop certain shared habits, experiences and peculiarities. Just to make this exercise more interesting, I've decided to steer clear of Singaporeans' love for food. So don't expect any chicken rice or kaya toast nostalgia here. Instead, let's explore the idiosyncrasies, objects and lived experiences that define us as Singaporeans. First milestone: Primary school (Singapore version) Let's do this chronologically and start at the beginning — our early school years. A common memory many Singaporeans share is being introduced to co-curricular activities (CCA) aged nine. With a history that predates the nation's independence, it'd be hard to find a local that doesn't have a CCA (or ECA as it was once known) anecdote or two. Whether you dabbled in sports, clubs, uniform groups or performing arts, those initial try-outs were often our first introduction to choice and consequence. Looking back, it can be a dizzying experience for any nine-year-old to navigate. While some of us might have stumbled upon a new passion, others found themselves resigned to learning the recorder year after year. Regardless, it was all part and parcel of our growing up years. Another uniquely Singaporean experience during our primary school years? The ultimate book starter pack. During morning assembly, or sometimes in class, there's a chance that you'd spot someone flipping through a Mr Midnight, True Singapore Ghost Stories or an Enid Blyton classic. Or maybe this was specific to my growing up years in the early 2000s. To complete our primary school experience, every Singaporean child's academic coming-of-age would be none other than to overcome the Primary School Leaving Exam (PSLE). For many, the national exam marked our first real taste of stress. But for the less fortunate among us (hi, tiger parents), that sense of dread probably kicked in well before Primary 6. And as we grow older, each of us will take our own educational paths and soon enough, we find ourselves navigating the adult world. Second milestone: BTO Adult life brings more routines and responsibilities and, for some, that includes gearing up for another milestone — marriage. When it comes to Singapore, is there anything more symbolic of this life stage than the Build-To-Order (BTO) experience? Sure, proposals do still happen in Singapore. But before the ring is out, there has to be the talk. You know your partner is serious about the relationship when they begin asking questions such as: "Wanna BTO?" Planning for a flat before planning for a wedding ceremony is a uniquely Singaporean experience. From studying the many BTO site launches to balloting results and joining Telegram groups with your future neighbours — it's a long journey that's oddly bonding. And all this happens before you even collect the keys to your first home. Only in Singapore, right? Third milestone: Navigating nosy in-laws When committing to your life partner, it isn't just a union of two. Whether you like it or not, extended families (in whatever capacity) will likely be part of this new chapter of life. This small army of new relatives brings with them questions and unsolicited advice aplenty, for every festive occasion — regardless of race, language or religion. Whether it's visiting the in-laws for Hari Raya or enjoying a hotpot during Chinese New Year, it isn't only the food that'll be grilled. Couples who are still dating may be gaslit into thinking that time is running out for them to get married. Newlyweds will likely deal with questions about a potential first child. Couples with children aren't exempted either, as they may need to navigate deflect the question of: "When's the next one?" Despite the cultural differences between these celebrations, the nosy questions experienced by Singaporean couples are uncannily similar. Quirks Now, let's get to the funny bits that will have every local going "confirm Singaporean". Love for our airport Ask a Singaporean where they'd go to relax or spend time with loved ones, chances are that Changi Airport might come up — and with good reason, too. In Singapore, the experience of heading to the airport is so much more than about boarding a plane. Sometimes we just head to the airport for everything except to catch a flight. A trip to Jewel, or any of the four terminals for that matter, can be seen as a leisure activity for Singaporeans. Whether its to catch a film, grab a bite or just hang out with friends, there's an almost endless list of things to do at our beloved airport. That Uniqlo T-shirt We all know which T-shirt I'm talking about, it's a staple in almost every Singaporean guy's wardrobe. The Uniqlo Airism oversized T-shirt has gained so much popularity that it has even been dubbed "the Singapore uniform". While not the most exciting or trendy outfit, this simple and plain top aims to offer comfort. Given the unforgiving heat and humidity here, perhaps we can cut our Singaporean brothers some slack when they would opt for practicality over style. Weekend trip to Johor Ironically, one of the most Singaporean things to do doesn't even happen here. It combines Singaporeans' love for travel with our need to escape the daily grind. When work gets too stressful or life starts to feel a tad too mundane, this calls for a quick weekend getaway to Johor Bahru (JB). JB holds a certain allure for many locals, especially when it comes to enjoying a range of attractions, food or a relaxing massage. Being Singaporeans, we'll likely still grumble about the traffic jam at the Causeway. But does that stop us from making the trip? Probably not. [[nid:719562]] amierul@
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
60 years of building Singapore
From humble low-rise buildings to gleaming skyscrapers, Singapore's built environment tells the story of its journey from fledgling nation to global hub. Through 60 structures – each marking a year since independence in 1965 and still standing today – The Straits Times traces the milestones that define the nation and its iconic favourites. Through 60 structures – each marking a year since independence in 1965 – The Straits Times traces the milestones that define the nation and its iconic favourites. 1965 Singapore Conference Hall (originally Singapore Conference Hall and Trade Union House) ST PHOTO: YOW YUN WOH Opened in October 1965 – about two months after Singapore gained independence – it housed the headquarters of the National Trades Union Congress. In 2010, it became the first post-colonial building to be gazetted as a national monument. For years, it hosted events such as National Day Rally speeches and award ceremonies. Today, it is home to the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. 1966 Block 52 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF SINGAPORE The 12-storey Housing Board block, completed in 1966, has more than 330 units and is next to Toa Payoh Seu Teck Sean Tong, a temple that HDB's first town planner Alan Choe used as a focal point in his design of Toa Payoh. When Singapore hosted the South-east Asian Peninsular Games for the first time in 1973, Toa Payoh's newly built town centre was the games village. 1967 Civilian War Memorial ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Completed in January 1967, it is dedicated to victims of the Japanese Occupation. Beneath its four columns are 606 urns holding the remains of Sook Ching massacre victims found in mass graves across Singapore. The columns represent members of the four ethnic groups who died – Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians. 1968 Chung Cheng High School (Main) Administration Building ST PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER LOH The building at the Goodman Road campus of one of Singapore's oldest Chinese schools housed facilities such as a library, laboratories and an auditorium. In 2014, it was designated a national monument, along with the school's Entrance Arch. The campus opened in 1947 to accommodate a growing student population, following the school's founding in 1939 in Kim Yam Road. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Tech Reporting suspected advanced cyber attacks will provide a defence framework: Shanmugam Business Singapore's US tariff rate stays at 10%, but the Republic is not out of the woods yet Asia Asia-Pacific economies welcome new US tariff rates, but concerns over extent of full impact remain Business ST explains: How Trump tariffs could affect Singapore SMEs, jobs and markets Asia Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts Singapore Thundery showers expected on most days in first half of August Singapore Synapxe chief executive, MND deputy secretary to become new perm secs on Sept 1 Singapore 5 women face capital charges after they were allegedly found with nearly 27kg of cocaine in S'pore 1969 Queenstown Public Library (originally Queenstown Branch Library) PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF SINGAPORE Singapore's first full-time branch library was completed in 1969 and opened in 1970. It achieved several firsts, such as becoming the first fully air-conditioned branch in 1978 and the first to computerise loan services in 1987. It received conservation status in June 2014. 1970 voco Orchard Singapore (originally Singapore Hilton) ST PHOTO: MATTHIAS HO The former Singapore Hilton welcomed its first guests in March 1970. Its facade featured a multi-panel artwork by local artist Gerard D'Alton Henderson, which still adorns the building today. The hotel was rebranded as voco Orchard Singapore in January 2022. 1971 Hilton Singapore Orchard (originally Mandarin Hotel) PHOTO: ST FILE Mandarin Hotel opened in phases from November 1971, with its coffee house, Chatterbox – now famous for its Hainanese chicken rice – among the initial facilities opened. Top of the M, Singapore's first revolving restaurant, opened in 1973 and a second wing was added to the hotel in 1980. It was rebranded as Hilton Singapore Orchard in 2022. 1972 Merlion ST PHOTO: STEVEN LEE Officially installed in September 1972 at the mouth of the Singapore River, the tourism symbol was said to be Singapore's answer to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In 2002, it was relocated to Merlion Park. 1973 Golden Mile Complex (orginally Woh Hup Complex) PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The mixed-use building is a landmark of Singapore's post-independence development. Situated on one of the first sites sold under what is now the Government Land Sales programme, the building was granted conservation status in October 2021. It has been renamed The Golden Mile and is slated to reopen in 2029. 1974 Jurong Town Hall ST PHOTO: MAZLAN BADRON Opened in 1974, it was the headquarters of JTC Corporation – which oversees industrial estates – till 2000. The building was designed to be a landmark of the success of Singapore's industrialisation. Gazetted as a national monument in 2015, it now houses various trade associations. 1975 Family Justice Courts (originally Subordinate Courts Building) ST PHOTO: YOW YUN WOH When it opened in September 1975, the Subordinate Courts Building brought several courthouses under one roof for the first time. In 2019, it heard its last case, following the opening of the nearby State Courts Towers, and was taken over by the Family Justice Courts in November 2024. 1976 OCBC Centre ST PHOTO: TAN SUAN ANN Rising 200m high, the 52-storey building was the tallest in Asia outside Japan when it was completed in 1976. It housed 27 lifts, the biggest number in a local office building at the time. Eight of them were among Singapore's fastest lifts, travelling at 366m a minute. 1977 111 Somerset (originally Public Utilities Board Building) ST PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER LOH The building was the headquarters of national water agency PUB and its predecessor until 2007, when the agency moved to Scotts Road. It had a rooftop swimming pool, four squash courts and a gymnasium. Today, it is known as 111 Somerset, an office and retail development owned by Shun Tak Holdings. 1978 Kallang Theatre ST PHOTO: FRANCIS ONG Built by Chong Gay Theatres, the cinema opened in April 1978. It was said to be South-east Asia's largest at the time, with about 2,400 seats. The facility was purchased by the Government in 1981 and converted to a performing arts theatre. It hosted various internationally acclaimed musicals, as well as National Day Rally speeches and National University of Singapore convocation ceremonies. 1979 Toa Payoh Dragon Playground PHOTO: HDB Modelled after a mythical creature, the dragon playground was part of a broader push to reflect local identity in playground designs. Over the decades, the playground has become an icon of Housing Board towns and a cultural symbol, with its likeness reproduced in various products. 1980 Bras Basah Complex ST PHOTO: MICHAEL LIEW The building's commercial podium opened in 1980. The complex, nicknamed the City of Books, was a hub for bookshops, art supply stores and independent publishers, fostering the literary and arts scene. It was also a performance venue for singers of xinyao, a contemporary Mandarin genre from the late 1970s to 1980s. 1981 Changi Airport ST PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN Changi Airport welcomed its first commercial flight – SQ101 from Kuala Lumpur – at 7.10am on July 1, 1981. The airport's Terminal 1, officially opened on Dec 29, scored many firsts for the region: themed airport gardens, free local phone calls for transiting passengers and the iconic Mylar Cord waterfall. Since then, T1 has gone through multiple upgrades, including a $500 million facelift completed in 2012 . 1982 Singapore Land Tower (originally Raffles Tower) ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN The building opened in the Central Business District in 1982. The 47-storey tower was one of the tallest here at the time, symbolising Singapore's rapid economic growth and urban development in the early 1980s. Today, it is known as Singapore Land Tower. 1983 The Centrepoint ST PHOTO: WAN SENG YIP Developed by the Cold Storage Group, Centrepoint was opened in 1983 by an English aristocrat, the Countess of Portarlington. The shopping mall became a popular hangout for teenagers, who were known as the Centrepoint Kids. From 2004 to 2006, the mall went through a $56.4 million revamp and was renamed The Centrepoint. 1984 Furama City Centre PHOTO: NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF SINGAPORE The 24‑storey complex, housing a hotel and a shopping centre, stands out at the intersection of Eu Tong Sen Street and Havelock Road. The Furama City Centre Hotel, which opened on Oct 29, 1984, was designed by pioneer architect Alfred Wong, best known for the now-demolished National Theatre in Fort Canning. 1985 MAS Building ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) building was completed in 1985, with staff moving in on March 11. The building had a creche with an outdoor wading pool, and a two-storey currency museum, which closed in 1999. In 2016, the MAS Gallery was opened, showcasing the financial regulator's work on the nation's economy and financial sector. 1986 Raffles City ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Designed by renowned Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, the integrated development opened on the former site of Raffles Institution. The complex included Westin Stamford, now known as Swissotel The Stamford, and continues to offer commanding views of the National Day Parades at the Padang. The other hotel there, Westin Plaza, is now Fairmont Singapore. 1987 MRT system's first section ST PHOTO: MICHAEL LIEW The first section of the MRT system began passenger service on Nov 7, 1987, running from Toa Payoh to Yio Chu Kang on the North-South Line. This marked a major milestone in Singapore's urban development, launching South-east Asia's first heavy rail metro system. MRT carriages first hit the tracks in February – pulled and pushed by locomotives – and then were tested on powered tracks from April. 1988 Village Hotel Bugis (originally Golden Landmark Hotel) ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN The Golden Landmark Hotel was completed and opened in November 1988 in Victoria Street. It was part of a $120 million hotel and retail complex with Arabic, Asian and Western elements – possibly a nod to the nearby Arab Street and the area's multiculturalism. Many of the building's iconic motifs have been lost during refurbishment over the years. 1989 Singapore Indoor Stadium TNP PHOTO: NICKLAUS D'CRUZ Located in Kallang, the stadium opened in 1989 and was the first of its kind in South-east Asia, with a seating capacity of about 12,000. The multi-purpose indoor arena has hosted concerts by megastars Elton John, Michael Jackson, Jacky Cheung, Coldplay and Blackpink. 1990 The Gateway ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI Another work of renowned architect I.M. Pei, the 37-storey twin towers in Beach Road are known for their sharp, angular forms that create the optical illusion of appearing flat from certain perspectives. 1991 Brani Causeway ST PHOTO: JACKY HO The first land link between an offshore island and mainland Singapore opened in November 1991. Another causeway linking the mainland to Sentosa opened in December 1992. Initially, only buses, taxis and a few cars could cross the Sentosa causeway. By May 1998, most private cars could use it. 1992 GV Yishun (originally Yishun 10) PHOTO: GOLDEN VILLAGE MULTIPLEX Yishun 10, Singapore's first multiplex, opened in May 1992 and was operated by Golden Village (GV) Entertainment. Designed by Australian architect Geoff Malone and built at a cost of $37 million, it had 10 halls with a total of 2,552 seats. One roll of film could be screened in all the halls simultaneously – operated by just one projectionist. The complex was renamed GV Yishun in 2010. 1993 Ngee Ann City ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG The building was completed in January 1993 and opened later that year as Singapore's largest commercial project. More than 30 years later, the mall still stands as one of the country's most iconic retail destinations. 1994 Night Safari ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM Opened in May 1994, Singapore's Night Safari is the world's first nocturnal wildlife park, home to more than 900 animals and over 100 species living in their natural night-time habitats. It has won the Singapore Tourism Board's Best Visitor Attraction Award more than 11 times. 1995 IKEA Alexandra ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG Nestled at the junction of Jalan Bukit Merah Road and Alexandra Road, IKEA Alexandra opened in April 1995 as the flagship store and warehouse of the Swedish furniture giant in Singapore. Before that, it had set up shop in Sixth Avenue in 1978 and Katong in 1984. The relocation shifted its target audience from condominium dwellers to Housing Board residents in Alexandra. 1996 Republic Plaza ST PHOTO: STEVEN LEE It has two towers, the taller of which is 280m with 66 storeys. When Tower 1 was completed in 1996, it rivalled the 60-storey OUB Centre (now One Raffles Place) and UOB Plaza as Singapore's tallest building. The tower features an octagonal design with a 45-degree twist on the upper floors. Today, Republic Plaza is one of the tallest skyscrapers in Singapore, second only to the 290m Guoco Tower. 1997 Cathay Cineleisure Orchard ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Built on the site of the former Orchard Cinema, Cathay Cineleisure Orchard opened in November 1997 as a nine-storey $160 million entertainment centre. A popular hangout in the early 2000s, it housed six movie screening halls, retail outlets, a foodcourt, a night entertainment spot and an indoor amusement park. 1998 Singapore Post Centre PHOTO: BH FILE Singapore Post moved its sorting operations to a new facility in Paya Lebar, where it remains today. The $380 million complex came with a $95 million sorting system that reportedly saved each postman two hours a day by sorting and stacking letters based on their six-digit postal codes – prioritising them by delivery order. 1999 Parliament House ST PHOTO: JEROME MING Oct 4, 1999, marked the official opening of Parliament House. Planning works started in 1989, when MPs complained of space constraints in the Old Parliament House – where The Arts House is currently located. Parliament House has features such as a ceremonial driveway at its main entrance, a chamber with more than 100 seats and an electronic voting system. 2000 Snow City PHOTO: TNP FILE Snow in tropical Singapore became a reality when its first permanent indoor snow centre opened at Science Centre Singapore in June 2000. It is home to a three-storey-high and 60m-long snow slope designed for snow tubing and escaping the heat. 2001 Maybank Tower ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI The building may be a familiar sight for many as it is located right behind the Merlion in Marina Bay. After opening in July 2001, it became the new headquarters of Maybank Singapore, whose former home at Malayan Banking Chambers was demolished. 2002 Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO Known as the 'giant durians', the Esplanade was fully completed in October 2002 after more than 20 years of planning. Built for $513.3 million on reclaimed land, it houses a 1,600-seat concert hall, a 2,000-seat theatre and other spaces. Its launch included a 23-day festival with more than 1,300 performers from 22 countries. 2003 One Marina Boulevard ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI One Marina Boulevard – and its prime location – is a symbol of the close ties between the Government and trade unions. Completed in December 2003, the building in the Central Business District serves as the headquarters of the National Trades Union Congress. 2004 Mandai Crematorium ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG The crematorium opened in July 2004 as an extension to the Mandai Columbarium. It took over from Mount Vernon Crematorium as the only public crematorium for the newly dead. Before that, the Mandai facility handled cremations of remains from exhumed graves. An expansion to the crematorium will be operational from Aug 15, 2025. 2005 Supreme Court ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI The Supreme Court officially moved to its current home at 1 Supreme Court Lane in June 2005. Twelve civil courts occupy the lower floors, while eight criminal courts sit above. At the top, a flying saucer-like structure houses the three courts of appeal, mirroring the dome of the former courthouse. 2006 VivoCity PHOTO: BH FILE Spanning over one million sq ft, VivoCity is Singapore's largest mall. It opened its doors in December 2006 and is home to 300 shops, as well as an express monorail that connects to Sentosa. The mall hosted the live New Year's Eve countdown from 2007 to 2013. 2007 Singapore Flyer ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA The 165m-high structure was the world's tallest ferris wheel from 2008 to 2014. The last of its 28 capsules was installed in October 2007, ahead of its opening in April 2008. Just three months after opening, the Flyer reversed its rotation after geomancers warned that it was spinning fortune away from the nation. 2008 Marina Barrage PHOTO: PUB Opened in October 2008, Marina Barrage marked a breakthrough in Singapore's water sustainability efforts. First proposed by founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1987, the dam turned Marina Basin into a freshwater reservoir after two decades of planning. A system of gates and pumps keeps seawater out and alleviates flooding in low-lying areas. 2009 The Pinnacle @ Duxton ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Singapore's first 50-storey Housing Board project broke the stereotype of sterile public housing with its bold design and soaring height. Seven towers are linked by two sky parks, offering sweeping views of the city skyline. The project won global awards for its innovative layout and community-focused spaces. 2010 Marina Bay Sands ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN When it opened on June 23, 2010, Marina Bay Sands was the world's most expensive standalone casino property at $8 billion. Now a defining feature of Singapore's skyline, it has starred in blockbusters like Crazy Rich Asians and Independence Day: Resurgence. 2011 Clementi Towers PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Clementi Towers is the first Housing Board project to be integrated with a mall and a bus interchange. Its two blocks of three- to five-room units sit above The Clementi Mall and the Clementi Bus Interchange. In 2016, a five-room flat there was sold for more than $1 million – the first resale unit outside The Pinnacle @ Duxton to cross that mark. 2012 Gardens by the Bay ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Opened on June 29, 2012, the attraction spans three waterfront gardens and is home to the Flower Dome, the world's largest glass greenhouse. It has won awards, including the World Building of the Year in 2012 and the President's Design Award in 2013. In 2025, ranked it the world's top night attraction. 2013 The Interlace ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Located in Depot Road, The Interlace is a 1,040-unit condominium with 31 blocks of apartments stacked in a hexagonal arrangement. Designed by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, it won the World Building of the Year at the 2015 World Architecture Festival. 2014 Singapore Sports Hub ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM Opened on June 30, 2014, the hub is a destination for sports, entertainment and lifestyle events. Its crown jewel is the National Stadium, with 55,000 seats and a retractable dome roof. The stadium has hosted major events such as the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers and concerts by megastars like Taylor Swift, Blackpink and Lady Gaga. 2015 The Hive ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI Located at Nanyang Technological University, the Hive Learning Hub is a striking complex of 12 eight-storey towers with 56 smart classrooms. The work of British designer Thomas Heatherwick, the Hive is colloquially known as the 'dim sum basket building'. It was a finalist at the 2015 World Architecture Festival in the Commercial Mixed-Use category. 2016 Guoco Tower ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Standing at 290m, the 64-storey Guoco Tower is Singapore's tallest building. The $3.2 billion development in Tanjong Pagar was completed in 2016 and features office, retail and food and beverage spaces, an urban park and 181 homes. 2017 Kampung Admiralty ST PHOTO: DIOS VINCOY JR Singapore's first integrated senior living project combines housing with healthcare, retail and a hawker centre. Completed in May, the 11-storey complex has 100 flats and a two-storey medical centre. 2018 Wisma Geylang Serai ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG The hub, which opened in May 2018, houses community facilities, including the Geylang Serai Community Club, South East Community Development Council and the Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery. It is best known for the annual Hari Raya light-up along Geylang Road and Sims Avenue, and the Ramadan bazaar. 2019 Jewel Changi Airport ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Since opening on April 17, 2019, Jewel Changi Airport has dazzled visitors with its 40m-tall indoor waterfall and a lush five-storey garden. This 10-storey complex has more than 280 shops and eateries. Built atop a carpark in front of Terminal 1, the $1.7 billion Jewel has won accolades – such as Design of the Year at the President's Design Award in 2020 and a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice award in 2025 for being among the top 10 per cent of attractions worldwide. 2020 Sembawang Hot Spring Park PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Featuring the only natural hot spring on mainland Singapore, Sembawang Hot Spring Park was opened on Jan 4, 2020. It has a cascading pool where visitors can soak their feet in the water, which is believed to have healing properties. The water from the hot spring was once bottled by F&N and sold under the Seletaris label. Underground areas with high temperatures near the hot spring are being studied as a potential geothermal energy source. 2021 CapitaSpring ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI At 280m tall, the 51-storey CapitaSpring is a green oasis in the heart of the financial district. It features more than 80,000 plants and a publicly accessible sky garden on the top floor with sweeping views of the city. Built on the site of the former Golden Shoe Car Park, it houses offices, serviced apartments and the popular Market Street Hawker Centre. 2022 One Punggol ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Opened in phases from 2022, One Punggol is a hub with community facilities, including a hawker centre, Punggol Regional Library and childcare and senior care centres. The library, which opened in January 2023, is Singapore's largest, spanning 12,180 sq m over five floors. 2023 Pan Pacific Orchard ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Standing at 140m tall, the hotel opened its doors in Singapore in June 2023. Designed by Woha Architects, the 343-room hotel integrates the island's four aspects – forest, beach, garden and cloud – within a single building. In 2024, it earned the accolade of the world's best new skyscraper by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, a leading authority on skyscrapers. 2024 Punggol Digital District ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Opening in phases since 2024, Punggol Digital District is Singapore's take on Silicon Valley. Slated for completion in 2026, the 50ha business park is designed for companies in the digital economy. It is home to the Singapore Institute of Technology and has planned offerings such as offices, retail spaces and a hotel.
