OUB Chambers, initially known as Meyer Chambers, was a building on the corner of Malacca Street and Raffles Place. Built in 1930, the building served as the head offices of the Overseas Union Bank, Overseas Union Insurance and the Overseas Assurance Corporation.
History
editThe building was officially opened on 1 December 1930.[1] Swan & Maclaren were the building's architects while United Engineers Limited were the building's general contractors.[2] The building was owned by prominent businessman Isaac Manasseh Meyer.[3]
The Overseas Union Bank opened in the building on 5 February 1949.[4] This made the Overseas Union Bank the first local bank at Raffles Place.[5] From March 1957 to 1968, the building also served as the head offices of the Overseas Union Insurance Limited. The building also housed the head offices of the Overseas Assurance Corporation.[6] The building was put up for sale in 1974 by Meyers' wife, Sally Isaac Meyer.[3]
The building was demolished in 1979 to make way for One Raffles Place. The Overseas Union Bank's headquarters were temporarily moved to 60 Robinson Road.[6]
References
edit- ^ "MEYER CHAMBERS AS THEY WILL BE". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly). Singapore. 29 May 1929. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "MEYER CHAMBERS COMPLETED". The Straits Times. Singapore. 1 December 1930. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ a b "$7.8 mil to be paid for Meyer Chambers". New Nation. Singapore. 15 May 1974. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "New Singapore Bank To Open". The Malaya Tribune. Singapore. 4 February 1949. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Tan, Charlene Gia Lim (26 July 2018). An Introduction to the Culture and History of the Teochews in Singapore. World Scientific. p. 63. ISBN 9789813239371.
- ^ a b "Overseas Union Bank at Raffles Place". BookSG. National Library Board. Retrieved 29 September 2023.