On October 3, 1939, the Cathay Building opened in Singapore, marking an important milestone in the history of high-rise real estate and urban development in Southeast Asia.

Located on Handy Road near Dhoby Ghaut, the Art Deco landmark represented a new era of large scale property development in Singapore. The project was developed by Mrs Loke Yew and her son Loke Wan Tho, while British architect Frank W. Brewer was responsible for its distinctive design.

Rising to approximately 83.5 metres, the Cathay Building became Singapore’s first skyscraper and was also the tallest building in Malaya at the time. Its height and modern architecture transformed the city’s skyline at a time when low-rise buildings still dominated much of Singapore’s urban landscape.

The development was significant not only because of its height but also because of the combination of different uses within the complex. It incorporated entertainment facilities and residential accommodation, making it an early example of the mixed-use development concept that would later become an important feature of modern Asian cities.

At the heart of the development was the Cathay Cinema, which officially opened on October 3, 1939, with a screening of The Four Feathers. The cinema was another landmark in Singapore’s property and entertainment history as it was the country’s first air conditioned cinema.

The building later played a significant role during the Second World War. Following the Japanese occupation of Singapore in 1942, the complex was used by Japanese authorities before serving Allied forces after the war.

Over subsequent decades, Singapore underwent rapid redevelopment and the Cathay site evolved with the city. Much of the original structure was eventually demolished to make way for a modern development, but its historically significant Art Deco façade was preserved.

Today, the preserved façade forms part of The Cathay, linking one of Singapore’s modern commercial developments with a landmark that helped introduce high-rise and mixed use real estate to the city more than eight decades ago.

Source(s) :

National Heritage Board, Singapore