Opened in 1958, the 12-storey American International Building at the corner of Robinson Road and Telegraph Street housed the Singapore offices of the insurance firm, American International Assurance (AIA). The $5.7 million office building featured all the latest modern amenities, including air-conditioning, water fountains, mail chutes, lifts and aluminium louvres, all designed to increase workers’ comfort and hence their productivity. The building was demolished to make way for the construction of the new AIA Tower, which was officially opened in 1993 and still stands today.
