Parkview Square

Gazing up at Parkview Square, have you ever wondered about the silent figures perched atop its crown? Parkview Square, often called Gotham Square for its resemblance to Batman’s city, stands as a unique landmark in Singapore’s Downtown Core. Completed in 2002, this Art Deco masterpiece, inspired by New York City’s Chanin Building, is a striking contrast to the modern steel and glass structures surrounding it. Parkview Square is clad in brown granite, bronze, and glass, exuding an aura of classic elegance. The building’s design, with its gargoyles and imposing statues, is said to be a Feng Shui measure to counteract the supposedly negative energy emanating from the nearby Gateway towers. Eight enormous statues of men, each holding a light ball, stand guard on the building’s crown. Inside, the lobby boasts a 15m-high ceiling adorned with handcrafted details, reflecting the building’s opulence. The plaza below echoes the grandeur of Venice’s Piazza San Marco, with bronze statues of historical figures like Sun Yat-sen, Abraham Lincoln, and Mozart. A golden crane statue stands proudly in the plaza’s center, its head lifted towards mainland China. The statue’s pedestal bears a poem written by the building’s developer, C. S. Hwang, expressing his longing for his homeland. This golden crane is also said to bring wealth to Parkview Square. Within its walls, Parkview Square houses several embassies, including those of the United Arab Emirates, Austria, and Mongolia. The third floor is dedicated to the Parkview Museum, showcasing international contemporary art exhibitions. The building also houses Atlas, a luxurious bar famed for its three-story gin tower holding over a thousand gins. Parkview Square is a testament to a vision realized, a blend of classic design and modern function, leaving a lasting impression on all who visit.