Location 8- The Cathay

THE CATHAY

Research: 

Address of Location:

2 Handy Rd
Singapore 229233
(located at end of Orchard Road)

History of Location:

At the foot of Mount Sophia (Bukit Seligi) in the Dhoby Ghaut area, there once stood a Victorian-style building which housed the family of prominent businessman Teo Hoo Lye. Its ground floor was occupied by Louis Molteni's bakery and confectionary. This building stood for more than 40 years before it was demolished in 1934. The property was purchased by the family of the late Loke Yew in 1937 and the land cleared for the construction of Cathay Building.

Transformation through time and space:

1937- Land cleared for the construction of Cathay Building.

1939- Cathay Cinema, located in the front block, was the first section to be completed.

3 October 1939- Cathay Cinema officially opened.

Early 1941- Cathay Restaurant located in the front block on the fifth floor was opened.

August 1941- Main block was completed.

30 December 1970- Closure of Cathay Hotel.

July 1974- Cathay hotel’s ten floors had been converted into office premises, with the filling in of all the balconies and bay windows.

1999- Cathay Organisation put up a $100 million plan to redevelop Cathay Building.

24 March 2006- The redeveloped Cathay Building was officially opened and renamed The Cathay.

Why location was used:

The Cathay Building was one of Singapore’s oldest and largest cinemas built in the shopping district, providing people with an added form of entertainment.

PEEs:

The Cathay

High Density Landuse

This picture shows a shopping mall with residence above it. It is a high-rise building occupied by many retail shops, restaurants, and other entertainment outlets. The higher levels of the building are mainly for residential purposes. This implies that it is a high density building due to its high rise building structure which is designed for multi-use so as to accommodate a large number of people.

THE CATHAY

MIXED LANDUSE

This picture shows the posters at the Cineplex. This indicates that there is a cinema inside the shopping centre. This implies that the Cathay building is not only used for shopping purposes but also as a form of entertainment thus maximizing the land use.

This picture shows the Cathay Residences situated on the 6^th to 17^th floor of the Cathay. Not only is the Cathay for commercial and entertainment purposes, it is serve as a form of residence. This implies that it provides a variety of uses therefore maximizing land use.

THE CATHAY

INTERACTION BETWEEN DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES/GENERATIONS

This picture highlights the interaction between different nationalities and generations. A young lady who seems to be an Indonesian maid is holding onto a little Chinese girl’s hand and talking to her. This implies that the maid most likely was instructed by her boss to bring the girl to run an errand or to some place.

This picture highlights the interaction between different nationalities and generation. It shows an elderly Indian man talking to a young Caucasian teenager. They seem to be engaged in some trading. This implies that they have probably met at the shopping centre to exchange i.e. buy/sell some item with each other.

This picture highlights the interaction between different nationalities. It shows an Indian man walking beside a Chinese man, both involved in a conversation. This implies that they are most likely colleagues or friends going out with each other.

This picture highlights the interaction between different generations. It shows two old ladies with one middle aged lady in a shopping centre. They seem to be engaged in conversation about something happening downstairs. This implies that they are probably out on a shopping trip.

Compare & Contrast:

The Cathay is different in the past and the now in terms of the building's height. In the past, it was a towering 16-storeys high- the highest building in Singapore. However, after construction works were completed, it now stands, 17-storeys high, easily becoming an average high-rise building in Singapore. This implies that the Cathay was doing well, thus the rise in the number of floors. It also shows the rapid development of Singapore throughout the years in terms of the construction of buildings.

The Cathay was similar in the past and now in terms of its purposes of use. In the past, the Cathay was used to house the popular Cathay Cinema, restaurant as well as 80 apartments although it was temporarily used as a ‘brain centre’ for the British and its restaurant became a dining room for the Japanese during the World War 2 period. Similarly, it is still used to house cinemas, restaurants with the upper part of the building used for residential purposes. This implies that the purposes of use of the Cathay Building as mainly for residential, entertainment and commercial remain the same overtime.