Jurong Town Hall has been gazetted as Singapore’s 69th national monument, 40 years after its official opening, revealed the National Heritage Board (NHB).
The modernist building reminiscent of a ship, with a 50-metre high digital clock tower serving as the “mast”, is the seventh post-war structure to be accorded the highest level of legal protection.
As a national monument, Jurong Town Hall will have to abide by strict preservation guidelines and will undergo regular maintenance checks.
Completed in 1974, this landmark is prominently located on a hill overlooking Jurong estate. It once served as the headquarters of Jurong Town Corporation (now JTC) which played a leading role in developing Singapore’s first industrial estate.
In addition to accommodating JTC’s offices, Jurong Town Hall was an ideal venue for hosting exhibitions and conferences.
Commenting on the preservation of Jurong Town Hall, JTC’s CEO Png Cheong Boon said: “It is an integral part of the Singapore industrialisation story, as it was where the planning took place that shaped the development of Jurong Industrial Estate. We are glad the government has designated it a national monument and bestowed it the importance for the benefit of our future generations.”
In the future, Jurong Town Hall will house the new Trade Association Hub that is slated to open in early 2017, with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry coming on board as the anchor chamber.
Image: Facade of Jurong Town Hall. (Photo by NHB)
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Singapore Editor at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact him about this or other stories email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
