The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) had envisaged building a nightclub-theatre complex since the mid-1960s. Together with architect Shaw Sung Ching, STPB began formulating plans to develop such a project in 1967.[1]
Shaw later purchased the 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m2) 9 Scotts Road (which housed the apartment complex that he lived in) through his company, Vermont Realty, and designated it as the site of his new project.[2][3] Shaw settled on the name "Tropicana", which he thought evoked Singapore's tropical climate.[1]
Construction of the 4-storey Tropicana began in April 1967. The building was designed by Kee Yeap & Associates, while the interior was designed by Will Fernandez & Associates. An August 1967 report by The Straits Times estimated that Tropicana would cost S$1.5 million (equivalent to S$6 million in 2022) to build and another million dollars to furnish.[3]
Tropicana opened on 30 March 1968 by STPB chairman, P. H. Meadows.[4] It was reportedly the first entertainment complex in Singapore, if not all of Southeast Asia, to contain nightclubs, restaurants, and a theatre.[3] The theatre of Tropicana was located on the first floor and typically hosted cabaret performers such as Les Doriss' Girls Revue from Paris.[5] In 1971, American jazz musician Count Basie performed for one night at Tropicana; according to The Straits Times, the S$85 (equivalent to S$333.9 in 2022) tickets were "at the time the most costly for a performance in Singapore."[6] Tropicana also housed several establishments for eating and drinking, including Le Bistro Bar, Orchard Lantern, Rasa Sayang, and a VIP lounge.[7]
In February 1989, after some five months of negotiations with the Shaws,[8] the site was purchased by the Hong-Kong based subsidiary of London and Edinburgh Trust, LET Pacific, for S$70 million (equivalent to S$125.1 million in 2022).[7] Tropicana officially closed on 31 May 1989. It was demolished shortly after to make way for the 12-storey Pacific Plaza, which cost an additional S$65 million (equivalent to S$112.3 million in 2022) to construct and was completed in mid-1992.[9]
