Singapore's architour - The Fullerton Building

courtesy of Nilufar (Singapore, November 2016)

Ideally, you can start your one day architecture tour in Singapore by exploring National Gallery of Singapore in the morning, have your lunch before continuing to participate the free tour inside The Fullerton Hotel. Appreciate the stainless steel pedestrian bridge The Helix while waiting for that hotel's one hour heritage tour on Saturday. Considering it's quite time consuming to reach Henderson's Wave Bridge, it is better to put it on the last list of your plan in the day. You'll find even the lighting of the bridge beautiful at night.

If you are into architecture thing who has one chance being in Singapore on Saturday, I want you to consider starting with the Heritage Tour by The Fullerton Hotel I joined last year when I visited Singapore in November.

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
exclusive access you get if you join The Fullerton Hotel's Heritage Tour

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
another exclusive access! 

It's a bless to befriend with an architect, I could spend my not-interesting short holiday in Singapore better. I didn't know how to spend time there and why so getting little knowledge about architecture helped me appreciate Singapore's buildings.

Singapore is suitable for business and not tourism in my opinion which perhaps is different with other traveler's opinion.

I wasn't that hyped up being there. I am not interested to anything I do even during holiday so not particularly get bored because of Singapore. It was because of my mood that was not cheerful. 

I had no prior plan and found out this "Heritage Tour" by chance while having coffee with my friend at the food court with nice view. Paying little for a mug of Coffee O, I got spectacular view from above of Esplanade and its surrounding in one frame.

courtesy of Nilufar (Singapore, November 2016)

Singapore was wet, so much rain fell when I finally arrived at Raffles Place MRT Station (East West (EW) line) from Lavender MRT Station to reach the hotel.

You will find this free tour inside the building interesting, just be patient for such boring and uninformative tour guide. However, this is the free easiest way to take building's interior picture of this expensive five-star hotel in Singapore, The Fullerton Hotel. And architecture student will certainly find the tour exciting. The thing to remember is absorbing information as much as possible through photos.

Seen as a grand Neoclassical building that housed several government departments, previously Singapore's General Post Office, The Fullerton Hotel that stands elegantly at the mouth of Singapore River, keeps its original exterior. They also keep 1920s genuine ornament and ceiling style in their first floor bar and fourth floor hall (they were preparing white glamorous wedding ceremony when we had a peek inside). 

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
original ornaments on the first floor bar

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
original ornaments on the first floor bar 

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
the bar from a peek outside

courtesy of Nilufar, November 2016
hotel's hall on the fourth floor. Look at the beautiful ceiling!

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
the exclusive look you get from this free tour

Inside and outside the building were beautiful to me, the ordinary tourist, not even learnt about architecture in my school days. It's no doubt that this becomes one of most iconic colonial buildings in Singapore.

For first timer who finds difficulty in adoring The Fullerton Building's architectural merits, here below are some hints to note:

The Fullerton Building's Neoclassical visually impressive facade is made by reinforced concrete and supported by five frontages with a colossal two-storey Doric colonnade.

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
The Fullerton Hotel's facade

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
The Fullerton Hotel's facade (in the afternoon)

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
The Fullerton Hotel's facade (at night)

"The facade encompasses ornate classical decorations created by Swiss sculptor Rudolf Wening and Italian sculptor Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli, who was also responsible for the sculptural works at the former Supreme Court and College of Medicine Building," said National Heritage Board, the Preservation of Sites & Monuments Division, Singapore.

The upper floors have a vaulted coffered ceiling that has a reputation to be the only one of its kind in Singapore. Luckily, architecture lover still can witness this unique feature. 

"Discover the rich history of our newly minted National Monument and gain exclusive access to preserved areas within The Fullerton Hotel Singapore," said The Fullerton Heritage page.

Here all other photos I took during the tour:

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
Below The Fullerton Hotel's concierge

courtesy of Nilufar, Singapore, November 2016
Below The Fullerton Hotel's concierge

courtesy of Nilufar (Singapore, November 2016)
seen from the first floor, notable original inside facade

The Fullerton Monument Tour

No admission fee

Mondays at 11:15 AM, Thursdays at 11:15 AM and Saturdays at 3:45 PM

Meeting point : The Fullerton Hotel's Concierge

No need prior booking, just show up is possible

The Fullerton Hotel

1 Fullerton Square

Singapore, 049178