Cathay Building

#154 among destinations in Singapore

Nightlife, Cinema

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Facts and practical information

The Cathay Building was opened in 1939 by Dato Loke Wan Tho as the headquarters for the British Malaya Broadcasting Corporation. Located at 2 Handy Road in the Museum Planning Area of Singapore, the building was most known for its air-conditioned theatre known as the Cathay Cinema, then a technological marvel and the first to be built in Singapore. Cathay Building was the first skyscraper in Singapore and tallest building in Southeast Asia at that time. ()

Alternative names: Opened: 1 July 1940 (85 years ago)Demolished: 2003Floors: 11Coordinates: 1°17'56"N, 103°50'53"E

Location

CentralSingapore

Contact

+65 6910 1091

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Day trips

Cathay Building – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: National Museum of Singapore, Plaza Singapura, Fort Canning, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.

~870 ftS
Museum, History museum, Specialty museum
National Museum of Singapore
5 min walk • The National Museum of Singapore stands as a cultural and architectural landmark in the heart of the city-state. Established in 1887, it is the nation's oldest museum, with a progressive approach to presenting the history and culture of Singapore through a diverse...
~1200 ftNW
Shopping centre, Shopping
Plaza Singapura
6 min walk • Plaza Singapura is a prominent shopping center located in the heart of Singapore's Orchard Road, one of Asia's most famous shopping streets. This bustling mall, which first opened its doors in 1974, has since become an integral part of Singapore's retail landscape...
~1650 ftSW
Park
Fort Canning
8 min walk • Nestled in the heart of modern Singapore, Fort Canning Park is a verdant oasis steeped in history and culture. This iconic hilltop park, once known as Bukit Larangan or 'Forbidden Hill', has witnessed many of Singapore's historical milestones, from the days of Malay...
~1520 ftSE
Church
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
8 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Singapore's civic district, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd stands as a beacon of faith and history. This revered church, the oldest Roman Catholic church in the country, is a testament to Singapore's rich colonial past and its vibrant...
~1730 ftS
Museum, Specialty museum
Peranakan Museum
9 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Singapore's bustling cityscape, the Peranakan Museum is a cultural treasure dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Peranakan heritage. Peranakans, also known as Straits Chinese, are the descendants of Chinese immigrants who came to the...
~1240 ftSE
Museum, Art museum, Modern art museum
Singapore Art Museum
6 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Singapore's cultural district, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is a leading institution showcasing contemporary art practices from Singapore and Southeast Asia. Housed in a restored 19th-century mission school, SAM provides a refreshing...
~170 ftN
Nightlife, Cinema
The Cathay
1 min walk • The Cathay, a historic icon nestled in the heart of Singapore, stands as a testament to the city-state's rich cultural tapestry and its evolution in the world of entertainment. Originally established in 1939, this art deco-style building was the first air-conditioned...
~1830 ftE
Church, Sacred and religious sites
Saint Joseph's Church
9 min walk • Saint Joseph's Church stands as a beacon of faith and heritage in the heart of Singapore. This Roman Catholic church, with its distinctive Portuguese Mission style, has been serving the local community since its consecration in 1912.
~1840 ftSE
Shopping centre, Shopping
Stamford House
9 min walk • Stamford House, a distinctive and elegant Victorian-era building, is a beacon of heritage amidst the modern urban landscape of Singapore. Originally constructed in 1904, this architectural gem has served various commercial purposes over the years, undergoing...
~1260 ftSW
Museum, Military museum
Battlebox
7 min walk • Tucked away beneath the lush greenery of Fort Canning Park in Singapore, the Battlebox is a historical treasure that offers a glimpse into the country's wartime past. This former underground command center was part of the Malaya Command Headquarters during World War II...
~1500 ftE
Museum, Art museum
Objectifs, Central Area
8 min walk • Objectifs is an independent non-profit visual arts space in Singapore that aims to cultivate original voices in visual storytelling, and to inspire and broaden perspectives through the power of images.