Our nation is known for its diversity from food to religion to culture and of course architecture is no exception. With a unique blend of traditional and contemporary buildings located island wide you will certainly not be lost for inspiration of any sorts.
We’ve put together a list of some of Singapore’s Iconic Buildings that that you simply no doubt have to pay a visit to.
Buildings Listed
- Raffles Hotel
- The Interlace
- CHIJMES
- National Gallery
- Apple Store at MBS
- Gardens By The Bay
- Heritage Shophouses
Raffles Hotel
Opened: 1887
Named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the founder of colonial-era Singapore. Raffles Hotel is definitely an iconic part of our city’s history. The hotel is most noted for its unique heritage expressed in its vintage colonial architecture. Most recently, the hotel underwent an extensive two-year renovation and restoration. Its reopening took place at the beginning of August of last year. The hotel still reflects its roots while still evolving to suit the needs of their guests.
The Interlace
Completed: September 2013
Without a doubt this project is a one of a kind. Resembling lego/jenga blocks stacked in hexagonal arrangements this development is a new take on urban living in Singapore. With 31 apartment blocks, each block six stories high, and within these blocks you have eight courtyards each promoting community living and interactions.
CHIJMES
Image Credit: The Finder Singapore 
Image Credit: Pinterest
Founded: 1840-41
The building and its purpose has evolved over time. Originally built as a Roman Catholic religious institute, in the mid 90s it was converted to mainly commercial outlets, including retail, food and beverage outlets and features plenty of outdoor space for entertainment. Most notably CHIJMES Hall was used as the filming location for the wedding scene from Crazy Rich Asians.
National Gallery
Image Credit: Visit Singapore 
Image Credit: studioMilou
Opened: 2015/ Founded: 1926
Currently home to the world’s largest extensive display of modern SouthEast Asian art, the National Gallery occupies two of Singapore’s most important monuments: former City Hall and the Supreme Court A building with rich history from the past, and is currently a progressive and creative space to get inspired by with all the art surrounding you.
Apple – Marina Bay Sands
Image Credit: Apple 
Image Credit: Apple
Opened: September 2020
The world’s first Apple Store that appears as a sphere and sits on the water surface offering 360 degree panoramic views of Singapore’s Central Business District and its dazzling skyline. The MBS outlet is also home to Apple’s first underwater Boardroom, located on the lower level of the store.
Gardens by the Bay
Image Credit: Viator 
Image Credit: TimeOut
Opened: June 2012
Known as the “green lung” of Singapore. This nature park sprawls across 101 hectares of land in central Singapore, it consists of three waterfront gardens with Bay South Garden being the largest of the three and its main focal point is the Flower Dome. The Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world and it exhibits exotic plants around the world across five continents.
Heritage Shophouses
Been Around Since: mid 1840s
These are a huge part of Singapore’s culture and its architecture, predominantly located in Chinatown, Emerald Hill, Little India and along the Singapore River area. They have an eclectic mix of cultures: Chinese, Malay and European elements. The face of the shophouses are often narrow but the interiors have a lot of depth to them. They are also part of Singapore’s building conservation efforts and there are currently 6500 conserved shophouses.