One of the oldest streets in Singapore, Armenian Street was already in existence by 1836 and is home to several historically significant buildings.
The three-storey Edwardian-style building at the northeastern end was constructed in 1908 by the Methodist mission for its printing arm, the former Methodist Publishing House. Sold to Malaya Publishing House in 1928, the bookstore, known locally as “MPH”, operated till 2003.
Across the street, several shophouses accommodated residences, businesses, and even cultural organisations. Shophouse no. 51 used to house the United Chinese Library, which was founded in 1910 at the encouragement of Dr Sun Yat Sen to promote revolutionary ideas. At 45 Armenian Street, a substation built in 1926 later became the nation’s first contemporary arts centre, established by Cultural Medallion winner Kuo Pao Kun.
At the southwestern end of Armenian Street stands Bible House. Built in 1909 by the British and Foreign Bible Society, it was established to translate and distribute the Bible in Singapore. The building was later redeveloped in 1974 and again in 2011.
Nearby, the former Tao Nan School (now housing the Peranakan Museum) was established by a group of Hokkien merchants in 1906. Initially located along North Bridge Road, the school moved to the building at Armenian Street in 1912 as enrolment grew. The school relocated in 1982 to Marine Parade and the building was converted to the Asian Civilisations Museum in 1994. It was gazetted a National Monument in 1998 and was redeveloped for its current use as Peranakan Museum in 2008.
Today, Armenian Street, which was permanently pedestrianised in 2019, continues to be a vibrant place also known for hosting arts and heritage events.
