Likely the oldest surviving building in Singapore, this house was Singapore’s first official courthouse and later, the first Parliament House.
Originally built in 1827 as a private residence for merchant John A. Maxwell, the house was never occupied privately as it sat on land demarcated for public and administrative use. After completion, Maxwell leased the house to the British administration which used it as the first official courthouse.
The building underwent several renovations and extensions and housed the court and various public offices over time. It served as the Supreme Court till 1939 and became the Department of Social Welfare office.
Post-World War II, Singapore’s journey to independence unfolded in this building. Renovated in 1954 to create a legislative chamber, the first legislative assembly convened here after Singapore gained partial internal self-governance in 1955.
Then known as the Assembly House, key debates and rousing arguments for Singapore’s self-governance and independence took place in this chamber. When Singapore became independent in 1965, the building served as the Parliament House till 1999, when the parliament moved to its present building nearby.
The main building and annexe were gazetted as National Monuments in 1992. After renovation, the complex was reopened in 2004 as an arts centre. A bronze elephant statue stands at its entrance, a gift to commemorate King Chulalongkorn of Siam’s (Thailand) visit to Singapore in 1871.
