MacDonald House
| MacDonald House | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of the MacDonald House area | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Architectural style | Neo-Georgian |
| Location | Orchard Road, Singapore, 40A Orchard Road, Singapore 238838 |
| Coordinates | 1°17′57″N 103°50′46″E / 1.2992°N 103.8461°E |
| Named for | Malcolm MacDonald |
| Construction started | May 1947 |
| Completed | 1949 |
| Opened | 2 July 1949 |
| Owner | HSBC (formerly) Tinifia Investment |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 10 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Reginal Eyre |
| Architecture firm | Palmer and Turner |
| Known for | Site of the MacDonald House bombing |
| Other information | |
| Parking | Yes |
| Public transit access | NS24 NE6 CC1 Dhoby Ghaut |
| Designated | 10 February 2003 |
| Reference no. | 50 |
The MacDonald House is an office building in Orchard Road, Singapore. Built in 1949 as a branch for the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSB, present-day HSBC), it was the first building to be fully air-conditioned in Southeast Asia. Designed in the Neo-Georgian style by Palmer and Turner, it was named after Governor General Malcolm MacDonald.
Land for the building was purchased by HSBC in 1946, with piling works beginning in May 1947. The foundation stone laid in November 1947 by MacDonald's wife in a ceremony. The building opened on 2 July 1949, where it was announced that it would be named the MacDonald House. On 10 March 1965, a bomb planted by Indonesian marines exploded in the building as part of the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation (Konfrontasi), killing three and injuring 33 others along with damaging part of the building. HSBC put the MacDonald House for sale in April 2002, with the building was designated as a National Monument in February 2003. The building was sold to an Indonesian investor in 2003. MacDonald House reopened in April 2005.