David Elias Building

The David Elias Building is a building located on the corner of Short Street and Middle Road in Singapore. It was built by Jewish merchant David J. Elias to house his trading company.

The building in 2017

Description

The building is three-storeys tall.[1] At the point where the facade joins the roof, there is a strong projecting concrete slab, which serves as both cornices and eaves. Various Stars of David can be found on the external façade of the building as bas-relief decorations. The words “David Elias Buildings” and "1928", the year of its completion, are inscribed beneath the Stars of David at the top of each of the building's main frontages.[2] The roof of the building is high-pitched and broad. The building also features arches between pillars, with a covered walkway.[3]

History

The David Elias Building was built on the corner of Short Street and Middle Road by Jewish merchant David J. Elias in 1928 to house his trading company D. J. Elias & Company. Elias commissioned prominent architectural firm Swan & Maclaren to design the building.[3] The initial anchor tenant was Cold Storage & Co. in one of the company's first ventures outside of Orchard Road.[4]

From 1941 to 1999, the building housed the Sun Sun Hotel and a bar, which were run by local Chinese.[3] The building is currently being renovated and will serve as the Headquarter of international energy retailer Flo Energy.[2][5]

The building was earmarked for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 1992,[1] and was gazetted for conservation in 1994.[2]

References
  1. Bachtiar, Ida (5 November 1992). "Little bits of history". The Straits Times. Singapore.
  2. Naidu Ratnala, Thulaja. "David Elias Building". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  3. "Elias Building". Roots. National Heritage Board. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  4. Davison, Julian (3 July 2021). "Mansion Blocks, Flats and Tenements: The Advent of Apartment Living". BiblioAsia. National Library Board. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  5. Bieder, Joan (2007). The Jews of Singapore. Suntree Media. p. 53. ISBN 9810591985.

1.3018°N 103.8503°E / 1.3018; 103.8503


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