Joanna James
Raffles City is a major complex in Singapore's Civic District, which is part of the Downtown Core. It takes up a whole city block that comprises 2 hotels and an office tower with a shopping mall as well as a convention centre. Here are some interesting facts regarding the iconic Raffles City.
The construction of Raffles City Singapore began just days after Singapore celebrated its 15th birthday. The grandiose aim of the project was to be the city's "heart," revitalising and connecting the Orchard Road shopping strip with the famous commercial hub, the Shenton Way.
The property was formally opened to the public on October 3, 1986, after a groundbreaking ceremony on August 14 of 1980. World-renowned I. M. Pei designed the complex and it remains one of his first works in Singapore. Therefore, make sure you head to Raffles City to take in the breathtaking architecture of it all. It really is a splendid treat for architecture enthusiasts.
The 73-storey Swissôtel The Stamford (once the tallest hotel in the world), Fairmont Singapore (a 28-storey luxury twin-tower hotel), the rectangle-shaped 42-storey Raffles City Tower, and a massive office block make up this complex. Rest assured, there's plenty for you to explore here! Looking for accommodation close to the Raffle's City Singapore? Then check out a City Hall Hotel in Singapore the likes of Grand Park City Hall, which is only one kilometre away!
The old Raffles Institution, where famous personalities like Yusof Ishak, Lim Bo Seng, and Lee Kuan Yew studied, is now the Raffles City Singapore. There are historical structures all around this area, from the well-known Parliament House and the Padang to the epic Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall.
I.M. Pei developed the Louvre, which is the most Instagrammed museum in the world, as well as Raffles City in Singapore! He established a 'dimension of mystery' with this complex, the Raffles City Singapore, where even the towers appeared cylindrical from one viewpoint and rectangle-shaped from another. Make sure to look out for this unique feature and take pictures from all possible angles!
Six years of construction and development transformed the empty patch of land into a 400,000-square-metre integrated complex that included an office tower, convention centre, shopping mall, and three hotel buildings, one of which was the highest hotel in the world at the time of construction.
Raffles City brand has been so successful that the project was taken up globally! In China, there are now 8 Raffles City developments, three of which were launched in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. So, make sure you visit this complex in Singapore to understand its global success!
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