Capitol Building, Singapore
Copyright © Timothy Tye.
Capitol Building
North Bridge Road
Capitol Building is a historic building at the junction of North Bridge Road and Stamford Road in the Downtown Core of Singapore. It was completed in 1931 by the architectural firm Keys & Dowdeswell in the eclectic neo-Classical style. The Capitol was built by the Namazie Family to host live shows. It was was one of the first air-conditioned theatres in Singapore. When it was built, it was also the largest of the 10 cinemas on the island.
The Capitol was operated under the name Kyo-Ei Gekkyo during the Japanese Occupation, but was damaged in 1944 by the bomb of the anti-Japanese resistance. The occupying Japanese Forces eventually forbid English-language movies from showing there, replacing them with their own films. After the war ended, the Capitol was purchased by Shaw Organisation and was rebuilt.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority listed the Capitol Building for preservation in August 1983. They also acquired it so that it would be preserved as part of a future development. Shaw Organisation continued to use it as a movie theatre until 29 Dec 1998.
