Arts House (The Old Parliament Building), Singapore

Just a few steps from where Raffles supposedly first planted his boots on Singapore soil sits the Arts House, better known in its earlier life as the Old Parliament House. These days it’s a lively arts venue hosting exhibitions, concerts, and the occasional experimental performance—but beneath all that creative energy lies a building with nearly two centuries of political mileage. Constructed in 1827, it claims the title of Singapore’s oldest surviving government building, and quite possibly the oldest surviving building in the entire city. From 1965 until 1999, this was the seat of Singapore’s Parliament, before the politicians upgraded to their newer lodgings next door.

The structure owes its existence to architect George Drumgoole Coleman, who designed it as a neat Neo-Palladian mansion for private use. That plan didn’t last long. The building was quickly absorbed into public service and cycled through a string of official roles: courthouse, Land Office, and general administrative headquarters for a young colony with big ambitions. In 1839, a single-storey annex appeared on the plot behind it—today recognised as the Former Attorney-General’s Chambers—and eventually folded into the Parliament complex.

As time marched on, so did the renovations. Major extensions in the 1870s and again in 1901 pushed the building outward toward the Singapore River, gradually erasing Coleman’s original lines. In 1909, two courtrooms were rebuilt, and a residence for the Attorney-General was added, nudging the architectural style toward a more Victorian look. Another major update came in the 1950s to prepare the place for the newly formed Legislative Assembly.

Then came its big reinvention. On 26 March 2004, the building stepped out of its political career and into a new role as a heritage centre for writers, artists, and anyone with a creative spark. Restored with care—from the Tuscan-style columns to the crisp cornices—it now stages festivals, performances, and programs that celebrate Singaporean imagination.

The place's interactive gallery offers a breezy, enjoyable dive into Singapore’s artistic landscape and its development over the last five decades. And yes, snapping a selfie in the seat of Singapore’s first Prime Minister is absolutely allowed.

Bonus tip: It’s usually open, free, and surprisingly quiet during the day. In other words, you might just get an entire historic Parliament House to yourself… plus one mildly amused security guard.