Old Hill Street Police Station

Gazing up at the Old Hill Street Police Station, have you ever noticed the vibrant rainbow hues adorning its 927 windows? This iconic building, a former police station, stands proudly at 140 Hill Street in Singapore’s Downtown Core. The Old Hill Street Police Station, completed in 1934, was once the largest government building in Singapore. It was designed by Frank Dorrington Ward, the chief architect of the Public Works Department. The building originally housed a charge room, offices, garages, and living quarters for 140 married officers, 180 single policemen and several inspectors. It even briefly held the title of “Silver Jubilee Building” in 1935 to commemorate King George V’s 25th reign. Interestingly, the site the station stands on was once Singapore’s first prison and the old Assembly Rooms of the Town Hall. Local lore suggests that the building’s construction disrupted the area’s feng shui, which was thought to resemble a “peh toh,” a fish symbolizing prosperity. During World War II, the Japanese camouflaged the building in brown paint. The pearly white coat wasn’t restored until 1949. After the police vacated in 1980, it was renamed the “Hill Street Building” and housed various government agencies. Following extensive renovations, it reopened in 2000 as the “MITA Building,” housing the Ministry of Information and the Arts. Later, it became the “MICA Building” with the ministry’s name change. Finally, in 2012, it returned to its original name: The Old Hill Street Police Station. Its Neoclassical design, featuring Doric pilasters and a triangular pediment, reflects the architectural style of 1930s England. The rainbow-painted windows, a more recent addition, breathe life into this historical monument. The vibrant colors, especially on the upper floors, accentuate the cantilevered balconies. These balconies are a distinctive architectural feature. Inside, a glass-roofed atrium, Artrium@MCI, now hosts art exhibitions and performances, a stark contrast to its former life as a police station. The Old Hill Street Police Station has witnessed significant historical events. Its story, reflected in its changing roles and names, is interwoven with Singapore’s own transformation.