The Fullerton Singapore (Former Fullerton Building) stands on the former site of Fort Fullerton, a garrison constructed in 1829 to defend the town against attacks.Completed in 1928, the Fullerton Building was the largest structure in Singapore then and cost over $4 million to construct.
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Opened in 1928, the Fullerton Building was named after Sir Robert Fullerton, the first Governor of the Straits Settlements (1826-1829). Designed by Major P H Keys of Keys & Dowdeswell, the building, with its 400-ft frontage along the waterfront, 120-ft walls and monumental columns and a lighthouse on its rooftop, was once a symbol of British power in Singapore.
The building stands on the site of the former Fort Fullerton, built in 1829 to defend the settlement against attacks from the sea. In 1843, the fort was extended after a sandstone monolith with some inscriptions resembling 13th century Javanese script was demolished. A fragment of this monolith, known as the Singapore Stone, is in the collection of the National Museum of Singapore.
The Fullerton Building initially housed the General Post Office, the Exchange and the Singapore Town Club. During the last days before the British Surrender, it was converted into a hospital. The last Governor of Singapore, Sir Shenton Thomas took refuge here and held his last meetings with his generals before the British surrendered to the Japanese on 15 February 1942.
After Singapore’s Independence, the building continued to house the General Post Office and several government offices such as the Marine Department, the Import and Export Department, the Inland Revenue Department, the Ministry of Finance and the Economic Development Board.
In the mid-1990s, the Fullerton Building took on a new role after being conserved and renovated to become a luxury hotel. The Fullerton Singapore was officially opened on 1 January 2001.