CATHAY BUILDING, SINGAPORE
The Cathay Building at Handy Road. Completed in 1939, it was the first skyscraper in Singapore, housing luxury flats and Singapore's first air-conditioned cinema. At beginning of WWII, the main building was rented out to the government and British Malaya Broadcasting Corporation, becoming the "brain centre" for the government. During Japanese Occupation, it was used to house the Japanese Broadcasting Department, Military Propaganda Department and Military Information Bureau. The (new) Alhambra at Beach Road was the first air-conditioned cinema hall in Singapore and not as commonly believed, the Cathay.
01/12/1946
19980005038 - 0040
49854
Viewing permitted. Use and reproduction only with permission.
Roland Craske Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
Updated with contributions by Jerome Lim on 12 January 2023.

Do you have more information on this record?

 
Request a Copy

Processing of requests may require 3-5 working days



The Cathay Building at Handy Road. Completed in 1939, it was the first skyscraper in Singapore, housing luxury flats and Singapore's first air-conditioned cinema. At beginning of WWII, the main building was rented out to the government and British Malaya Broadcasting Corporation, becoming the "brain centre" for the government. During Japanese Occupation, it was used to house the Japanese Broadcasting Department, Military Propaganda Department and Military Information Bureau. The (new) Alhambra at Beach Road was the first air-conditioned cinema hall in Singapore and not as commonly believed, the Cathay.

Explore the archives