Brief History of Colourful MICA Building

MICA Building Singapore at Hill Street

Colourful and Colonial Style Architecture

This bright and colourful building certainly stands out against a backdrop of old and new buildings in Singapore. This is called the MICA Building, formerly known as MITA Building or the Old Hill Street Police Station.

Interesting facts

• The building is also known as the Old Hill Street Police Station (OHSPS)
• The building was completed in 1934 to house the Hill Street Police Station and Barracks – regarded then as a modern skyscraper and largest government building
• In 1998, it was gazetted as a national monument
• In 2000, The Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts (MICA) relocated to this building from PSA Building
• The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and Singapore Kindness Movement are also located here
• The steep slopes of Fort Canning was cut back and shored up to make way for vehicular access behind the building (pictures below)
• There are 927 windows
• Windows colour theme – rainbow – 3 different shades for each colour
• With each building height, the colour shade increases in intensity – brightest at the 6th storey. This highlights the architectural feature of the cantilevered balcony

These pictures were taken in January this year. At that time, re-painting works were going on. So, I did not notice the intensity of the colours at each level. It is fun to read up the facts and background of places back home which I tend to take for granted. See things beneath the surface.

View from Fort Canning

MICA Building Singapore - view from Fort Canning

MICA Building Singapore - view from Fort Canning

The Courtyard

Sculpture at Mica Buildings Courtyard

The Walkway or Pathment

At Street Level - MICA Building Singapore

Source
MICA
National Library Singapore
Wikipedia

How to Get Here

Take the MRT and alight at either City Hall or Clarke Quay station

Google Map

Related Post
Nature Walk at Fort Canning Park