11. City Hall (by Leonard)

Built in 1926 to 1929 by British municipal architects, A. Gordans and F.D Meadows, the City Hall remains as one of the heritage treasures of Singapore.

Over its short life of less than a hundred years, the City Hall has seen its fair share of significant events. First known as the Municipal Hall, it was the place where General Itagaki of the Imperial Japanese Army surrendered to Lord Louis Mountbatten in 1945 to mark the end of the Second World War in Singapore.

In 1951, it was renamed City Hall to mark Singapore being granted the City status. From then on, City Hall remained as the central symbol of political power in Singapore.

In 1959, after being granted self-governance, the then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew declared home rule as well as the unfurling of the new national flag and anthem. City Hall is also the place where the Lee and his eight cabinet ministers was sworn into office in the presence of the first Yang-di Pertuan Negara, William Goode.

In 1963, City Hall is also the place where the Malaysian Proclamation was read. Following Singapore’s independence, City Hall was also the place used to hold the very first National Day Parade, using its steps as VIP sitting area during the parades.

In a more recent setting, City Hall underwent major upgrades in 1987 to allow the building to house government offices and in 1988, its 12 court rooms was transferred to the Supreme Court. City Hall remained its status as a symbol of political power with then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong had his inauguration ceremony and swearing in of cabinet. Lately, it has also been used for the Singapore Biennale and as a registration centre for the IMF and World Bank Meetings.

In the future, City Hall along with the adjacent Old Supreme Court Building will be converted into an art gallery, the National Art Gallery of Singapore by 2012.

Bibliography:
Uma Devi, G.Singapore. National Heritage Board. Singapore's 100 historic places. Singapore : Archipelago Press in association with National Heritage Board, (2002).

Merdeka!!!

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