The Old Supreme Court (National Monument)

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

                 Next stop, it is the old Supreme Court! This was easy to spot as all of us could recognise the iconic pediment structure (an allegory of justice) and its classic architectural design. We were looking forward to enter the premises as we had never entered the place before. (We are all definitely good, law-abiding citizens! J) Sad to say, before our group could even enter the premises, we were “rejected” because the premises is currently undergoing through the process of restoration.

Say cheese and let's take a "we-fie"!

 The old Supreme Court, located at St Andrew’s Road, used to be Singapore’s highest court from 1939 to 2005. However, it has an interesting history which dates back to the early 19^th century.

Built in 1823, the site at the old Supreme Court used to be the former house of James Clarke of Guthrie and Company Ltd before it was taken over by Edward Boustead, the founder of Boustead and Company. Boustead’s house was then remodelled to serve as the London Hotel and subsequently named as Hotel de l’Esperance. Before being demolished in 1900, it was renamed as Hotel de l’Europe. It was then rebuilt as Grand Hotel de l’Europe or Adis building after its owner. That was really cool because it is unimaginable that the old Supreme Court used to be a residential home and a hotel.

In 1935, the government acquired the site to build the Supreme Court building. The neo-classical building was designed by Frank Dorrington Ward, then chief architect of the Public Works Department. The building was officially declared open by the Governor of the Straits Settlement, Sir Shenton Thomas on 3 August 1939 and was handed over to Chief Justice Sir Percy McElwaine.

If you have not noticed, there is a teal-coloured dome on top of the building. It is a replica of the dome at the St Paul Cathedral. It fits in nicely with the colossal Corinthian columns too! Interesting, isn’t it? J We did not know that our old Supreme Court has such a long and interesting history! Because of that, it does not come as a surprise that it is gazetted as a national monument. It would have been perfect if we had gotten a chance of exploring the interiors of the old Supreme Court before it gets converted to the National Art Gallery in a few months’ time. L