Stately Palace

The first Government House was built in 1819 shortly after Sir Stamford Raffles set up a trading post in Singapore and was made of wood and had a thatched roof. Less than 50 years later, it was demolished to make way for a new building - the Istana.

Spanning about 43 hectares of land on prime Orchard property, the Istana is a familiar sight to all. Colonial engineer John McNair oversaw the $185,000 project which was completed in October 1869 by convict labourers from India, Ceylon, and Hong Kong who were paid about 20 cents a day. Once complete, it housed 21 governors during colonial rule. Originally named Istana Negara Singapura, The Palace of the State of Singapore, its name was shortened to The Istana in 1965, when Singapore became a sovereign nation.

The Istana has since seen 21 terms of governorship, two terms of occupation by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara and six terms of presidential occupation. Although it is the official residence of the President, no presidents or ministers have lived there since the time of Singapore's third president, Devan Nair.