STORIES BEHIND HERITAGE BUILDINGS IN SINGAPORE

This bustling enclave of bars and eateries is loved by locals and visitors alike. Before it starred on the big screen as the church in Crazy Rich Asians it had a more humble beginning as a Catholic convent. The compound was named as Chijmes in 1990 as a reference to the convent’s acronym and the sound of the bells in the church tower.

This statuesque building set by the river is now a five-star hotel. However, it started life as the Fullerton Building and was the site of the General Post Office.

This colourful building near Clarke Quay is home to an array of art galleries and will often host events in its forecourt. Though before it’s makeover you probably wouldn’t have wanted to be a visitor as it was the Old Hill Street Station and the site of Singapore’s first jail.

The National Gallery Singapore comprises not just one, but two national monuments – the former Supreme Court and City Hall. The melding of the two, using a sleek bridge and striking walls of glass, have now created Singapore’s largest museum.