War, Intrigue & Mysteries Of Goodwood Park Hotel! | Hidden Histories - Part 4/4

Goodwood Park Hotel: A History Uncovered

Key Concepts:

• Tutonia Club: A German social club founded in Singapore in 1856.
• Swan and McLaren: Singapore's oldest architectural practice, responsible for the original design of Goodwood Park Hotel.
• John Bidwell: Architect at Swan and McLaren who designed the Goodwood Park Hotel, blending Anglo-Indian and classical Renaissance styles with German influences.
• Anglo-Indian Architecture: A colonial architectural style incorporating cross-ventilation, raised floors, and steep pitched roofs with large overhangs.
• War Crimes Trials: Post-World War II trials held in Singapore to prosecute Japanese war criminals.
• Vladimir Tretchikoff: Russian painter known for his portraits of Asian women, including "Chinese Girl" featuring Lenora "Lanka" Schmidt.
• Vivian Bath: Step-son of Ezekiel Manasseh, one of the original owners, who transformed Goodwood Park Hotel by introducing new luxuries.

1. Origins as the Tutonia Club (1900-1914)

• German Community Hub: In the 19th century, Singapore attracted Germans due to its free port status. Homesickness led to the formation of a singing society, which evolved into the Tutonia Club in 1856.
• Construction and Design: The Tutonia Club built its clubhouse, now Goodwood Park Hotel, in 1900 at a cost of 20,000 Straits dollars (equivalent to approximately $650,000 USD today). It was one of the first buildings in Singapore with electric lighting.
• Architectural Grandeur: Swan and McLaren, specifically John Bidwell, designed the building. Bidwell combined Anglo-Indian style with classical Renaissance elements, including verandas for cross-ventilation and steep pitched roofs. The tower was inspired by medieval German castles.
• Social Life: The Tutonia Club became a center for high society, hosting parties, dinners, and social activities like tennis and garden parties. Members enjoyed German traditions like carnival celebrations.

2. Confiscation and Transformation (1914-1942)

• World War I Impact: In 1914, World War I led to the confiscation of the Tutonia Club under the Trading with the Enemy Act.
• Goodwood Hall: After the war, three Jewish brothers, Morris, Ezekiel, and Ellis Manasseh, purchased the clubhouse and renamed it Goodwood Hall.
• Entertainment Venue: Goodwood Hall became a popular venue for wedding receptions, dances, and concerts. Anna Pavlova, a renowned ballerina, performed there in 1922.
• Conversion to Hotel: In 1929, the Manasseh brothers converted Goodwood Hall into a full-fledged hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel.

3. World War II and War Crimes Trials (1942-1948)

• Japanese Occupation: During World War II, Singapore fell to Japanese forces in 1942.
• Naval Headquarters: Goodwood Park Hotel served as the Japanese Navy's headquarters for three years.
• War Crimes Investigation Unit: After the war, the British repurposed the hotel as a war crimes investigation unit (Team Number Seven). Civilians like Lenora "Lanka" Schmidt worked as interpreters.
• War Crimes Trials: Goodwood Park Hotel was the site of at least two war crimes trials due to a shortage of resources. These trials involved crimes committed on Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. One trial involved Sugihara Akira and others, while the other concerned Mirama Mitsuyushi and others.

4. Post-War Revival and Modernization (1948-Present)

• Tourism Boom: After the war, global tourism experienced significant growth.
• Vivian Bath's Vision: Vivian Bath, the stepson of Ezekiel Manasseh, took over the hotel in 1947 and introduced new luxuries, including opulent suites and Singapore's first hotel swimming pool.
• Celebrity Magnet: Goodwood Park Hotel became a popular destination for celebrities and a filming location for Hollywood productions.
• Modern Amenities: The original swimming pool was removed in the late 1970s for parking, and two new pools were added later.

5. The Tower: A Symbol of History

• Architectural Feature: The tower, inspired by German castles, has remained a constant feature of the hotel since 1900.
• Heat Dissipation: The tower's vacant interior was designed for heat dissipation.
• Limited Access: Access to the tower has been restricted throughout the hotel's history.

6. Lenora "Lanka" Schmidt and Vladimir Tretchikoff's Painting

• "Chinese Girl": Vladimir Tretchikoff painted "Chinese Girl," a portrait of Lenora "Lanka" Schmidt, in 1943.
• Lanka's Role: Lanka worked as staff captain of British war crimes in Goodwood Park Hotel in 1946.
• Reunion: In 1989, Lanka returned to Singapore to see the painting after 46 years.
• Symbolism: The painting reflects Singapore's melting pot of ethnicities in the 1940s, with Lanka's attire symbolizing her mixed Javanese and European heritage.

7. The German Association: A Modern Tutonia Club

• Community Building: The German Association is a contemporary version of the Tutonia Club, focusing on community building and cultural exchange.
• Physical Interactions: The association emphasizes physical interactions through round tables, coffee mornings, and gatherings.

8. Conclusion

Goodwood Park Hotel's history is a tapestry of dreams, struggles, and transformations. From its origins as a German social club to its role in war crimes trials and its evolution into a world-class hotel, the building embodies Singapore's rich and complex past. The tower stands as a reminder of the hotel's enduring legacy. The stories uncovered reveal that these places are more than just brick and mortar; they are a part of who we are, shaping our identity and inspiring our journey ahead.