The stunning Fullerton Hotel with its neoclassical architecture, formerly Fullerton Building, is gazetted today as a national monument in a ceremony officiated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong..
PM Lee said the building holds special meaning to Singaporeans, who remember it fondly as the General Post Office, and as an important point of reference for public roads such as Mile Zero.
He added that he has personal memories of the place, as it was at Fullerton Square that political parties held lunchtime rallies during General Elections.
"Mr Lee Kuan Yew would speak at the PAP rally, always a major event in the campaign, and delivered many stirring and memorable speeches usually in the sun or in the pouring rain. My mother would listen to him from the balcony of the Fullerton Building.
"When I first entered politics in 1984, I too spoke at the Fullerton Square rally," said PM Lee.
Multiple historic events and milestones in Singapore's history have taken place within its walls.
It was where the British military made the decision to surrender to the Japanese; where the Japanese military administration department operated during World War II; and where Singapore Government departments such as the Ministry of Finance used to be housed.
The building also once had a lighthouse which guided ships into the Singapore Harbour. The lighthouse was installed on top of the building in 1958 to guide ships 30 miles away. It replaced the lighthouse on Fort Canning which was increasingly being blocked by new skyscrapers along the waterfront. The lighthouse was replaced by the Bedok Lighthouse in August 1978.
Read more here: http://www.nhb.gov.sg/
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