Colonial Singapore - Around the Raffles

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Attraction: Colonial Singapore

Around the Raffles

No visit to Singapore is perfect without an attention paid to Raffles area. As Sir Stamford Raffles had played a hero by strengthening almost everything for this nation, many establishments then were constructed as to commemorate him such as Raffles Hotel, the statue of Raffles, and Raffles City.

Raffles City

Raffles City, a building constructed by Chinese-American architect named I.M. Pei in 1895 can be considered as a controversial building in Singapore as its size and style were criticized by those who disliked it as an inappropriate building that goes against the concept of colonialism due to its too modern architectural design, especially aluminum that clearly symbolizes the color of new generation. Moreover, Raffles City was constructed to replace where Raffles Institution was previously located and the Singapore's oldest school had to be removed as well. That is why the controversy over Raffles City was sparked.

Anyhow, Raffles City is worth a visit. On the southern corner of Raffles City stands a world's tallest hotel, "The 73-floor, 1,235 room Westin Stamford." You can take the photos on the 70th floor but will be charged $10 at minimum; nevertheless, the photos are guaranteed magnificent. As of the aforementioned and unmentioned qualities, Raffles City should be taken in your traveling plan upon Singapore.

Address of Raffles City:
2 Stamford Road,
Raffles City Convention Center,
Singapore 178882
Tel: 338-7766 - Fax: 339-1713

Raffles Hotel

An ancient hotel established since 1887 by Armenian brothers; Martin, Tigran, Aviet, and Arshak Sarkies. It was first a colonial bungalow known as Beach House before becoming Raffles Hotel. Raffles Hotel is one of the world's most famous hotels, proved by the visits of innumerable famous writers, celebrities, and loyalty such as the King of Siam, The Aga Khan, and Grand Duke Cyril of Russia.

Joseph Conrad, an English novelist has visited Raffles Hotel since it was newly opened. Conrad wrote his novel titled "The End of the Tether" and described Raffles Hotel as a "straggling building of bricks as airy as a birdcage."

Rudyard Kipling, another writer who visited Singapore in 1889 and later said that, "Raffles Hotel, where the food is as excellent as the rooms are bad. Let the traveler take note. Feed at the Raffles and sleep at the Hotel de L'Europe." Subsequently, Tigran Sarkies creatively edited Kiplings verse to "Feed at the Raffles, where the food is excellent." Anyway, Tigran Sarkies saw achilles' heel of his hotel and later improved it by constructing new buildings such as the Tiffin Room, Palm Court, the Raffles Main, all designed by Alfred John Bidwell.

Raffles Hotel seems unable to stop developing itself. It was declared a National Monument in 1987 and was reopened in 1991. It is impressively accredited of Singapore's hospitality industry for its style and professionalism in both service and facilities are superb.

Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus & Caldwell House

Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus & Caldwell House, a Christian convent is located on Queen Street between Bras Basah and Middle Roads, a center of Colonial Singapore. It was a combination of two ancient structures combined in 1852. Caldwell House was constructed and designed by G.D. Coleman for H.C. Caldwell, a senior clerk to the Magistrates in 1840. Twelve years later, in 1852, it was sold to Father Beurel and then became the series of various buildings known as the acronym CHIJMES.

Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus was recently restored a Gothic Chapel designed by a French priest amateur architect named Father Nain in 1890. And in 1990, the Gothic Chapel and Caldwell House was gazetted as National Monuments and subsequently sold to Chijmes Investments, a private development corporation.

Today, the Gothic Chapel and Caldwell House entertain visitors by exhibiting art galleries, boutiques; and performing music concerts, opera and theatre. There is also a 400-seat restaurant downstairs which serves excellent food and live music.

Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

Another colonial structure on Queen Street constructed in 1846 by an amateur architect named Denis McSwiney. It was declared a National Monument in June 1973 as its architectural style was considered a restrained Renaissance that should be reserved to portray Colonial Singapore. As a matter of fact, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd was built under the growth of Roman Catholics in Singapore and at the same time was inspired by other two English churches; St Paul's in Covent Garden and St Martin-in-the-Fields.

All Attractions in Colonial Singapore

This article is authored and copyrighted by
Royal Exclusive Travel