Once hailed as Namazie Mansions, today stands the Capitol Building. It anchors itself proudly at the junction of North Bridge Road and Stamford Road. This is a story of transformation and resilience.
Let me tell you about Mirza Mohamed Ali Namazie. He was a Persian businessman. Namazie built this building and the adjacent Capitol Theatre back in 1929 and 1930. Keys and Dowdeswell designed both structures in the neoclassical style. The Capitol Building soon became closely linked with the Capitol Theatre. This was because movie billboards announcing the latest films adorned its frontage. People even mistook the Capitol Building for the Capitol Theatre building itself.
Did you know that the Capitol Theatre was one of the few air-conditioned theatres of its time? The Namazie family used it to host live shows. By the mid-1930s, the Capitol was the largest and newest of Singapore’s ten cinemas.
However, the Capitol Building’s story is not without its dark chapter. During the Japanese Occupation, the adjoined theatre operated under the name Kyo-Ei Gekijo. Initially, it screened English-language movies. But the Japanese later forbade these. They replaced them with their own films and orchestras. In 1944, a bomb planted by anti-Japanese resistance damaged both the theatre and the Capitol Building.
After the war in 1946, the Shaw Organisation purchased Namazie Mansions. They renovated it in 1948 and renamed it Shaws Building. The Capitol Theatre became Shaw’s flagship theatre with 1686 seats. Moviegoers had the choice of gallery stalls and circle seats. These cost S$1 S$2 and S$3 respectively until the 1970s.
Magnolia opened its first Singapore snack bar in the Capitol Building in 1946. It became a favourite haunt for students couples and tourists. Sadly, it closed on 12 July 1988.
In 1978, the Shaw Organisation tried to sell Shaws Building and Capitol Theatre. However, no deal was reached. Later Shaw planned to acquire the nearby Capitol Shopping Centre land. Their aim was to demolish the Capitol Theatre and Shaws Building. They wanted to redevelop the site into a shopping complex and multiscreen cinema.
Preservation came in August 1983. The Urban Redevelopment Authority gazetted the Shaws Building and Capitol Theatre. The government acquired them in 1984. Shaw Organisation remained as the lessee. Renovations took place in 1989. The Capitol Building was relaunched on 30 April 1992.
The Capitol Theatre screened its last film on 29 December 1998. It officially closed the next day. In 2000, the Singapore Tourism Board explored alternative uses for the buildings. But plans to turn it into a home for an arts group did not materialize.
Redevelopment plans emerged in 2008. The Capitol Building and its adjoining buildings were slated for redevelopment in 2009. The facades of the Capitol Building and Capitol Theatre were to be maintained.
The Capitol Building reopened as The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore on 1 October 2018. It stands as a testament to Singapore’s history. It has survived war neglect and changing ownership. The Capitol Building stands as a symbol of resilience and reinvention.