View source for Peninsula Plaza (111 North Bridge Road)

[[File:Peninsula Plaza.jpg|thumb|''Peninsula Plaza featuring the Gothic arches on the podium level of the complex. Photo from the Peninsula Plaza website.'']]
Peninsula Plaza is a 30-storey mixed-use building located at 111 North Bridge road.<ref>Kok, Denise. “Off The Beaten Track: Peninsula Plaza”. ''Singapore Tatler''. January 11, 2015. Accessed on 21 June 2019. Retrieved from: https://sg.asiatatler.com/dining/off-the-beaten-track-peninsula-plaza</ref><ref>Rashiwala, Kalpana. “20th storey of Peninsula Plaza for sale at $21m”. ''The Business Times''. October 22, 2013. Accessed on 21 June 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/20th-storey-of-peninsula-plaza-for-sale-at-21m</ref> Commonly known as Singapore’s Little Burma, the shopping complex houses a variety of speciality stores selling Burmese products.<ref>“Peninsula Plaza: Singapore’s Little Burma”. ''Ghetto Singapore''. November 26, 2013. Accessed on 21 June 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.ghettosingapore.com/peninsula-plaza-singapores-little-burma/</ref>

== Opening ==
According to a Business Times article, the popular shoe brand Bata opened its new premier store at Peninsula Plaza on 29 April 1978.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/biztimes19780428-1.2.11.6?ST=1&AT=search&k=peninsula%20plaza%20opening&QT=peninsula,plaza,opening&oref=article “Bata At Peninsula”]. ''Business Times''. April 28, 1978. Accessed on 27 June 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> However, The Straits Times reported that Peninsula Plaza, along with the majority of its shops, was due to open on 3 November 1979.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19791026-1.2.29?ST=1&AT=search&k=peninsula%20plaza%20opening&QT=peninsula,plaza,opening&oref=article “$30,000 bonanza for shops at Peninsula Plaza”]. ''The Straits Times''. October 26, 1979. Accessed on 27 June 201.9 Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> 


As a marketing strategy<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19790904-1.2.41?ST=1&AT=filter&K=peninsula%20plaza%20opening&KA=peninsula%20plaza%20opening&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=false&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=1979&QT=peninsula,plaza,opening&oref= "Time to smarten our window displays says Brown"]. ''The Straits Times''. September 4, 1979. Accessed on 16 July 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> and an incentive for shops to open on time, a lucky draw and window display competition were held, each with prizes up to S$30,000.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19791026-1.2.29?ST=1&AT=search&k=peninsula%20plaza%20opening&QT=peninsula,plaza,opening&oref=article “$30,000 bonanza for shops at Peninsula Plaza”]. ''The Straits Times''. October 26, 1979. Accessed on 27 June 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The shop with the most impressive window display would be awarded S$7,000 while the second and third prize amounted to S$4,000 and S$2,000 respectively. In addition, seven consolation prizes of S$1,000 each would also be given.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19791009-1.2.33?ST=1&AT=search&k=peninsula%20plaza%20opening&P=4&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=peninsula,plaza,opening&oref=article “$20,000 for smart windows at Peninsula Plaza”]. ''The Straits Times.'' October 9, 1979. Accessed on 27 June 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

=== Current ===
Over the years, Peninsula Plaza evolved into a destination patronised mainly by Burmese workers in Singapore. Most of the shops cater to the Burmese community in Singapore, including travel and visa agencies, speciality minimarts and family-run eateries serving authentic Burmese cuisine.<ref>“Peninsula Plaza: Singapore’s Little Burma”. ''Ghetto Singapore''. November 26, 2013. Accessed on 21 June 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.ghettosingapore.com/peninsula-plaza-singapores-little-burma/</ref> 

Other than that, the shopping complex specialises in sport shoes, tourist souvenirs and photography equipment.

== Architecture ==
[[File:Comparison graphic Peninsula Plaza.jpg|thumb|''A graphic comparing the size of Peninsula Plaza (second from right) with the surrounding buildings. Photo from State of Buildings''. ]]
Peninsula Plaza was designed by Alfred Wong Partnership, the architecture firm behind the old Singapore National Theatre and Orchard Gateway.<ref>“Civic + Culture”. ''AWP Architects''. Accessed on 27 June 2019. Retrieved from: http://awparchitects.com/projects/civic-cultural/</ref> It is made up of a 24-storey office tower that sits atop a 6-storey shopping complex.<ref>Mui, Rachel. “Three adjoining office units at Peninsula Plaza up for sale with S$9.29m guide price”. ''The Business Times.'' April 24, 2019. Accessed on 21 June 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/three-adjoining-office-units-at-peninsula-plaza-up-for-sale-with-s929m-guide-price</ref> The building’s facade is laced by numerous column arches having been inspired by Gothic design. 


The size and shape of the structure were designed with the consideration of the neighbouring buildings.<ref>Tan, Eugene. “Peninsula Plaza”. ''State of Buildings''. Accessed on 21 June 2019. Retrieved from: https://stateofbuildings.sg/places/peninsula-plaza</ref> The height and width of the 6-storey podium match the scale of the City Hall and the old Supreme Court which has now been re-purposed as the National Gallery Singapore.<ref>"CELEBRATING THE RICH HISTORY OF THE BUILDING". ''National Gallery Singapore''. Accessed on 16 July 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.nationalgallery.sg/about/building/history</ref> Levels 6 to 9 features a narrower portion of the building which aligns with the St Andrew’s Cathedral and at the same time, mitigates the height difference between the podium and the tower block.

== History ==
[[File:Siam House 1863.jpg|thumb|''Siam House (bottom left) occupied the site of Peninsula Plaza in the 1800s when it was the residence of Tan Kim Cheng.'' ]]
[[File:Meyer Mansions 1936.jpg|thumb|''Meyer Mansions, 1936. Photo from NewspaperSG.'']]
Before Peninsula Plaza, the plot of land that the shopping complex occupies housed the private residence of the Consul for Siam and subsequently, the Meyer Mansions.

=== Siam House ===
In the late 19th century, the plot of land which Peninsula Plaza now occupies once housed the residence of a businessman and philanthropist, Tan Kim Cheng, who is the eldest son of Tan Tock Seng.<ref>“Tan Kim Ching”. ''Resources Guides.'' October 5, 2018. Accessed on 21 June 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.nlb.gov.sg/resourceguides/tan-kim-ching/</ref> The family residence was known as the Siam House, mainly due to Tan Kim Cheng's appointment as the Consul for Siam at the time.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/stweekly18920301-1.2.43?ST=1&AT=filter&K=tan%20kim%20cheng&KA=tan%20kim%20cheng&DF=&DT=&Display=0&AO=false&NPT=&L=&CTA=&NID=&CT=&WC=&YR=1892&QT=tan,kim,cheng&oref=article "UNKNOWN"]. ''Straits Times Weekly Issue''. March 1, 1892. Accessed on 16 July 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Tan Kim Cheng lived in the family residence, also known as Siam House, until his death in 1892.

=== Meyer Mansions ===
By the 1920s, the plot of land had been developed into a five-storey mixed-use complex known as the Meyer Mansions. The land had been bought by the property developer Manasseh Meyer. The complex consisted of office,<ref>"Page 21 Advertisements Column 2". ''Malayan Saturday Post''. September 12, 1925. Accessed on 16 July 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> commercial and residential units.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19361130-1.2.90?ST=1&AT=search&k=meyer%20mansions&QT=meyer,mansions&oref=article "MEYER MANSIONS THEFT"]. ''Malaya Tribune''. November 30, 1936. Accessed on 16 July 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> It was considered the first flatted residence in Singapore. Based on a newspaper report from 1933, it also housed a dance studio.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19330620-1.2.129.4?ST=1&AT=search&k=meyer%20mansions&QT=meyer,mansions&oref=article "Page 12 Advertisements Column 4"]. ''Malaya Tribune''. June 20, 1933. Accessed on 16 July 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> In 1936, it was reported that the entire ground floor of Meyer Mansions were commercial shops owned by Indian sports goods dealers.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/morningtribune19360509-1.2.61?ST=1&AT=search&k=meyer%20mansions&P=1&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=meyer,mansions&oref=article "Untitled"]. ''Morning Tribune''. May 9, 1936. Accessed on 16 July 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> 


On 13 April 1950, Meyer Mansions was put up for auction at the upset price of S$1,500,000.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19500412-1.2.114?ST=1&AT=search&k=meyer%20mansions&P=3&Display=0&filterS=0&QT=meyer,mansions&oref=article “$6 Mil. Property For Auction”]. ''The Singapore Free Press''. April 12, 1950. Accessed on 27 June 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> By 1968, Meyer Mansions had already been partially demolished although the ground floor stores were still intact and in operation.<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19680924-1.2.118?ST=1&AT=search&k=meyer%20mansions%20demolished&QT=meyer,mansions,demolished&oref=article "Heavy fire damage at photo shop"]. ''The Straits Times''. September 24, 1968. Accessed on 16 July 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

== Notable incidents ==
On 1 April 2013, a fire broke out at a small cooking area of a restaurant located on the third floor of the building.<ref>[https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/man-injured-in-fire-at-peninsula-plaza-8341396 “Man injured in fire at Peninsula Plaza”]. ''Channel News Asia''. April 1, 2013. Accessed on 27 June 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The Singapore Civil Defence Force was dispatched but the fire was put out by the internal sprinkler system of the building before their arrival. A man who suffered burn injuries on both legs was then sent to Singapore General Hospital.


On 4 June 2017, eight Myanmar nationals were arrested for rioting after getting into a fight with three other Myanmar nationals over cigarettes. On 13 October 2017, seven of the accused were sentenced to 12 months in jail for rioting. According to District Judge Imran Abdul Hamid, the sentencing was said to be a deterrent so that “Little Myanmar” will not go down the path of Little India, in reference to the 2013 Little India riot.<ref>Teoh, Hannah. “Seven Myanmar nationals jailed for 12 months for rioting at Peninsula Plaza”. ''Yahoo News''. October 13, 2017. Accessed on 27 June 2019. Retrieved from: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/seven-myanmar-nationals-jailed-12-months-rioting-peninsula-plaza-064929774.html</ref>

== References / Citations ==
[[Category:Singapore Places]]