No kidding. This landmark at the corner of Selegie and Bukit Timah Road once had the record of being the tallest building in Singapore. Of course, that was in 1924, and the record for tallest building has long since passed. What’s the name of this building?
Sources are scant, but the Ellison Building is named after ‘a Jewish lady named Ellison’ (that’s all the infopedia had to say). Back in its prime, the colonials used to sit on the roof to catch the races at race course road. Passing by it today, you won’t be able to find any colonials on the roof – but you would find a Colonial on the ground floor. A Colonial Bar, I mean. Sangsara gave the bar a visit, and also uncovers some of the history of the building:
The Colonial may be the oldest pub in Singapore you’ve never heard of. The historic structure in which it’s housed, the Ellison Building on the corner of Selegie and Bukit Timah roads, was the tallest in Singapore (only two storeys!) at the time of its completion in 1924. It takes its name from the Jewish lady for whom it was built; no first name turns up in a search, but a green iron grille over one doorway still reads “I. Ellison”. On Sundays, the two domed towers on its roof were used by British governors and their peers as vantage points from which the nearby race track could be observed.
Read more about the Colonial and the tallest building in Singapore (in 1924, at least) here.
6 Responses
Amazing two story and 1924! Oh what a world we would have if this were true today. There is nothing better than a big skyline.
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Ellison building was owned by my grandparents Flora and Isaac (Ike) Ellison. It has a very nostalgic past and good to see it is still standing. However, I did not know it held the record as the tallest building in Spore at the time!!!
Posted on October 8th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Dear Ms Lorainne Ellison,
I’m glad to have come across your comment and read about you. My family runs the oldest vegetarian restaurant from Ellison Building since 1924. It would be a great opportunity to get to know and share information from the past with you. Please be free to email me..viren.my@gmail.com
Posted on December 2nd, 2010 at 12:42 am
It would be a great opportunity to get to know and share information from the past with you.
Posted on December 10th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Would like to connect with Lorannie Ellison.I believe one of relatives married one of the Ellison children in 1920. Conducting family research?
Posted on April 29th, 2011 at 6:45 am
w.mckinnon@telus.net
Posted on April 29th, 2011 at 6:45 am
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