Information
Landmark: Old Parliament HouseCity: Central Region
Country: Singapore
Continent: Asia
Old Parliament House, Central Region, Singapore, Asia
Overview
Singapore’s Old Parliament House is a historic landmark that once echoed with heated debates and shaped the country’s political and parliamentary story.At 1 St. Andrew’s Road stands one of Singapore’s oldest buildings, its stone walls having seen the city grow from a British colony into a bustling modern republic.Today, it houses The Arts House, where art shows fill bright galleries and music spills softly into the halls.First.Built in 1827 under British colonial rule, the Old Parliament House rose from pale stone walls that still catch the morning light.The building, once known as the Commerce House, bustled with government offices and busy shops where you could hear the clink of coins at the counter.This is among the earliest examples of neo-classical architecture in Singapore, marked by tall, white columns and a graceful, balanced design.Parliamentary Role: In 1965, after Singapore gained independence, the old Commerce House was transformed into the Parliament House, where the new republic’s lawmakers gathered under its freshly painted white columns.For decades, it housed Singapore’s Parliament, its chambers echoing with debate, until the new Parliament House opened in 1999.The Old Parliament House stood at the heart of the nation’s political story, where lawmakers argued over bills and leaders took their oaths beneath its high, echoing ceilings.After Parliament shifted to its new home in 1999, the Old Parliament House was kept intact and transformed into a lively arts venue, where concert notes still echo off its polished wooden halls.People came to know it as The Arts House, a place that championed Singapore’s arts and culture through lively events, thought‑provoking exhibitions, stirring performances, and hands‑on workshops where you could smell fresh paint on a canvas.Number two.The building’s design stands as a striking example of neo-classical style, with tall white columns that recall the elegance favored in the colonial era.The Old Parliament House stands out for its grand façade of Greek-style columns and tall windows, their pale stone catching the afternoon light and lending the building a calm, commanding presence.The design carries a quiet authority, its crisp lines and solid stone giving it the formality you’d expect from a building that once held Singapore’s government.Facade Restoration: Over the years, workers have repaired stonework, refreshed faded paint, and made careful updates to keep the building’s old-world charm alive while meeting today’s needs.They’ve worked to restore the facade and protect its key architectural details, from the carved stone lintels to the tall arched windows, so the building’s history stays alive.Inside, the Old Parliament House blends colonial charm with sleek modern touches, like polished wood floors beside crisp glass panels.Inside the building, wide halls open into bright galleries and exhibition rooms, each alive with contemporary installations, bold performances, and the hum of live events.Many rooms still carry the building’s past as the nation’s Parliament, including the old Chamber where debates once echoed off the high wooden walls.Number three.The Old Parliament House saw some of Singapore’s defining moments, from the declaration of independence to key laws passed beneath its high, echoing chamber ceiling.In 1959, after Singapore won self-governance, it hosted the nation’s first parliamentary sessions, where voices echoed through the chamber’s warm wooden halls.Inside that building, heated debates rang through its chambers, and key decisions were struck that shaped the early political framework of modern Singapore.The Old Parliament House has witnessed pivotal moments in Singapore’s political history, from the swearing-in of the nation’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, to the oaths taken by other prominent leaders, the air thick with the scent of polished wood and fresh ink on official papers.The building rises like a steadfast witness to the nation’s fight for independence, its stone walls still holding the echoes of those first years as a republic.Number four.In 1999, after Parliament relocated to its new building, the Old Parliament House was renovated-its echoing chambers and tall wooden doors reimagined-into what’s now The Arts House.They turned the old building into a lively cultural hub, where visitors can wander through art exhibitions, watch performances under warm stage lights, and join workshops that celebrate Singapore’s thriving art scene.Today, the Old Parliament House-now known as The Arts House-buzzes with life, hosting art shows, poetry readings, and concerts under its high, echoing ceilings.The venue hosts everything from stage plays and poetry readings to film nights, live music, and art shows, sometimes with the scent of fresh paint still in the gallery air.It seeks to spark a stronger bond with the arts and culture, drawing in both local and international artists and audiences-like the hush that falls before a curtain rises.The Arts House often buzzes with energy, hosting both local and international festivals-from the Singapore Writers Festival to the Singapore International Film Festival-along with lively performing arts showcases.It also gives emerging artists and groups a place to share their work, whether it’s a painting still smelling of fresh oil or a song just written, with the public.Public Engagement and Education: The Arts House hosts lively workshops, thought‑provoking lectures, and hands‑on programs that draw people in and spark their creativity, like sketching in a sunlit room filled with the smell of fresh paint.These programs spark curiosity and build a real love for the arts, whether it’s a child sketching in bright chalk or an adult discovering a new composer.Number five sat alone on the page, sharp and simple like a pencil mark.The Play Den at The Arts House is a cozy, black-box space that welcomes smaller, bolder performances-think an intimate play, a tight whirl of modern dance, or a single voice carrying through the dim light.The venue sparks collaboration and fuels creativity, where performers trade ideas and artists sketch bold visions on napkins.The Chamber: Once filled with the sharp echo of political debate, the old parliamentary hall now sits preserved, its benches gathering only dust.These days, it’s a place where people gather for talks and lively debates, swapping ideas about politics, culture, and history under the warm glow of old brass lamps.Visitors can step into the very room where Singapore’s future was shaped, hearing the echo of voices that once debated its path.Galleries: Inside, you’ll find rooms hung with everything from bold, modern canvases to quiet landscapes painted in soft, fading colors.The galleries put on regular shows with both local painters and artists from abroad, giving visitors a chance to see fresh ideas and bold work-like a splash of bright red across a stark white canvas.Outdoor Courtyard: The Arts House has a sunlit courtyard where you might catch an art installation, a weekend performance, or a lively community event.It’s a wide, airy spot where people can meet up, sink into a chair, and take in the art without the hush of a formal gallery.Number six.The Arts House sits at the heart of Singapore’s cultural scene, opening its doors for lively talks, exhibitions, and community gatherings.It draws people from all walks of life to experience art up close, whether they’re watching a dancer’s sudden leap or rolling clay in a hands-on workshop.The Arts House brings artists and the public together through lively cultural events, sparking conversations that make Singapore’s art and culture feel closer, richer, and more alive.The Arts House also teams up with other artists on joint projects, from impromptu street performances to carefully curated exhibitions.
