The tallest building in Chinatown in the early years; the first hotel to have lift service in Singapore.

Southern Hotel in the heart of Chinatown was built in 1927 and was the first hotel to be installed with a lift. In the early twentieth century Southern Hotel was the tallest building in Chinatown.

The ground floor before the outbreak of the Pacific War was occupied by office while the hotel rooms were on the top floors. On the fourth floor was a popular Chinese restaurant and a tea house was located on the roof terrace (which still remains today). Occasional operas were staged there as an added attraction of the Hotel.

The Hotel is a landmark in Chinatown. It is a dignified old world charm with special metal railings and grills. It stands amidst tall Housing and Development Board flats. The Chinatown Point Shopping complex almost faces the hotel across the street.