Istana Singapore
Encyclopedia
The Istana is the official residence and office of the President of Singapore
. Meaning "palace" in Malay
, it is where the president receives and entertains state guests. The Istana is also the working office of the Prime Minister of Singapore
. It is located within a large open compound in the otherwise urbanised setting of the Orchard Road
area.
The 106 acre
(0.4 km²) estate was once part of the extensive nutmeg plantation of Mount Sophia. In 1867, the British
colonial government acquired the land and built a mansion to be the official home of the British Governor. This continued until 1959 when Singapore
was granted self-government, and the Governor was replaced by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara
, who was in turn replaced by the President.
, Singapore's first colonial
governor. It was formerly known as Government House. Located within the same compound is Sri Temasek
, one of several senior colonial officers' residences in the Istana previously assigned to the Colonial Secretary.
Sir Harry's desire for a stately Governor's residence arose from his dissatisfaction with the lease
d housing on Grange Hill and Leonie Hill that Governors had to make do with. An earlier governor's residence on Bukit Larangan
(now Fort Canning
), a flimsy timber
structure, had been torn down to make way for the fort and was never replaced.
Ord's views were met with much resistance amongst his colleagues. To build a residence of palatial proportions and cost was deemed too extravagant. Ord stood his ground, however, and eventually acquired 106 acre (0.42896716 km²) of land from C.R. Prinsep's nutmeg
estate in 1867. Construction began later in the year after the design was finalised on March 1867.
Disapproval of Ord's initial plans seemed to have evaporated by the time Government House was completed in 1869, as attested to in a report in The Straits Times
on 24 April of that year, "Far better to have a handsome memorial of extravagance to stare us in the face, than a memory of folly, in a half finished, or even badly finished work. Laying all prejudices aside moreover...it must be admitted that the building is a handsome one — the handsomest in a long way in the Settlement
and one which will be an ornament to the place long after those who fought for and against it have passed away". It was completed just in time for a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh.
The entire Government House, its grounds and auxiliary residences were built by convict labour — J.F.A. McNair supervisor for the construction of Government House, was also, conveniently, Superintendent of convicts. It was an impressive building and won accolades from its occupants, writer
s and visitors.
A "nearly perfect" residence is how Sir Frederick Weld
, Governor of the Straits Settlements and official resident there from 1880 to 1887, described it in a lecture at the Royal Colonial Institute in London
. He said Government House was "...cool and airy, with a beautiful view of land and sea, and glimpses of the town and shipping through the trees, whilst landward, when the evening haze or the morning mist soften the outlines of the undulations, fill each little valley, and bring out the masses of dark trees, rising against the skyline, it would be hard to find a more perfect picture of repose in a richer landscape".
ese invasion of 1942, deliberate shell
ing destroyed the small ceremonial gun
s on the steps of Government House and left the building and its grounds in a state of ruin. Then Governor Sir Shenton Thomas
and Lady Daisy Thomas loyally remained in Government House with their servants until the very last moments. When they finally evacuated, they took with them the Union Flag
that had been flying in front of Government House and carefully kept it hidden throughout the Japanese Occupation
. During the occupation, the house was occupied by Field Marshal Count Terauchi, commander of the Japanese Southern Army, and Major General Kawamura, commander of the Singapore Defense Forces.
, and took up office at the Istana.
The building was extensively renovated between 1996 and 1998 to add more space and modern day conveniences. The building today has six function rooms used for ceremonial and entertainment purposes. The offices of the President and his staff are also located within the building.
Today, the Istana is the official residence of the President of Singapore
. However, no presidents have lived there since 1959 nor any cabinet ministers. The villas which are meant to be used for foreign heads of state are also used rarely. The Istana building and its grounds are open to the public on five selected statutory holiday
s — Lunar New Year
, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa, Labour Day
and National Day
. Due to the closeness of Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa in some years, the grounds of the Istana are sometimes open only once during this time period in commemoration of both public holidays. Other times, its grounds are often used for state functions and ceremonial occasions such as swearing-in, investitures and the presentation of credentials by heads of foreign missions. The Prime Minister
, senior minister, and minister mentor have their offices in the Istana Annex.
On the first Sunday of the month, there is a Changing of the Guards parade, which is a popular public event.
, Doric
and Corinthian
orders with Ionic colonnades at the second storey and Doric colonnades at the first storey. The building sits in the its elevated position overlooking its stately grounds, the Domain, reminiscent of the great garden
s of England.
This is where the president introduces his cabinet to visiting dignitaries and foreign heads of missions. As its name states, tea receptions are held here right after a state dinner
Guest dine in with the president and get entertained in this room. At the end of this hall is a trompe-l'œil painted with a backdrop of orchids. The room is also used to display state gifts during its open house. The room is made out of formerly what's of the kitchen and some workshops.
This room is the seat and office of the President of Singapore
. The hall is used for events such as the swearing in of a newly elected cabinet/president or for presentations of gifts, awards etc. The room used to be the sitting room of Sir Shenton Thomas
, he originally placed a statue of Queen Victoria at the end of this room. The statue was later removed and preserved to make way for what is now the Presidential Chair and two state flags, one of Singapore
and the other, The Presidential Standard. The statue of Queen Victoria now stands at the end of the Victoria Pond located south of the Istana Grounds.
This room which is located on the third floor of the Istana is forbidden to the public and only can the President of Singapore
himself access the premises. The room has four key pieces of furniture: a maroon
sofa for guests to rest on, the main office desk made out of wood, a cowhide
office Chair
, and a wooden side desk.
There are so far two parlour
s in the Istana. Both of them are located on the third floor which its premises are forbidden to the public and its official use is by visiting state leaders or dignitaries only.
The private residence of the president is located on the second floor. Like the third floor, the premises is forbidden to the public.
President of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
. Meaning "palace" in Malay
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
, it is where the president receives and entertains state guests. The Istana is also the working office of the Prime Minister of Singapore
Prime Minister of Singapore
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore is the head of the government of the Republic of Singapore. The President of Singapore appoints as Prime Minister a Member of Parliament who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs.The office of Prime Minister...
. It is located within a large open compound in the otherwise urbanised setting of the Orchard Road
Orchard Road
Orchard Road is a road in Singapore that is the retail and entertainment hub of the city-state. It is regularly frequented by the local population as well as being a major tourist attraction...
area.
The 106 acre
Acre
The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land.The acre is related...
(0.4 km²) estate was once part of the extensive nutmeg plantation of Mount Sophia. In 1867, the British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
colonial government acquired the land and built a mansion to be the official home of the British Governor. This continued until 1959 when Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
was granted self-government, and the Governor was replaced by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara
Yang di-Pertuan Negara
Yang di-Pertuan Negara, meaning "Head of State" in Malay, was used as an official title at various times in Sabah, Singapore and Brunei.-Singapore:...
, who was in turn replaced by the President.
History
British colonial days
The Istana was built in 1867-1869 on the instructions of Sir Harry Saint George OrdHarry Ord
Major-General Sir Harry St. George Ord GCMG, CB, RE, was born on 4 August 1819 in North Cray, Kent, England. He was the son of Henry Gough Ord and grandson of Craven Ord of Greenstead Hall, Essex, a prominent antiquarian.-Education and career:...
, Singapore's first colonial
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
governor. It was formerly known as Government House. Located within the same compound is Sri Temasek
Sri Temasek
Sri Temasek is a two-storey detached house built in 1869 which is sited within the grounds of the Istana in Singapore. Previously, it served as the residence of the Colonial Secretary during the island's colonial era...
, one of several senior colonial officers' residences in the Istana previously assigned to the Colonial Secretary.
Sir Harry's desire for a stately Governor's residence arose from his dissatisfaction with the lease
Lease
A lease is a contractual arrangement calling for the lessee to pay the lessor for use of an asset. A rental agreement is a lease in which the asset is tangible property...
d housing on Grange Hill and Leonie Hill that Governors had to make do with. An earlier governor's residence on Bukit Larangan
Fort Canning
Fort Canning is a small hill slightly more than 60 metres high in the southeast portion of the island city-state of Singapore, within the Central Area that forms Singapore's central business district...
(now Fort Canning
Fort Canning
Fort Canning is a small hill slightly more than 60 metres high in the southeast portion of the island city-state of Singapore, within the Central Area that forms Singapore's central business district...
), a flimsy timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
structure, had been torn down to make way for the fort and was never replaced.
Ord's views were met with much resistance amongst his colleagues. To build a residence of palatial proportions and cost was deemed too extravagant. Ord stood his ground, however, and eventually acquired 106 acre (0.42896716 km²) of land from C.R. Prinsep's nutmeg
Nutmeg
The nutmeg tree is any of several species of trees in genus Myristica. The most important commercial species is Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas of Indonesia...
estate in 1867. Construction began later in the year after the design was finalised on March 1867.
Disapproval of Ord's initial plans seemed to have evaporated by the time Government House was completed in 1869, as attested to in a report in The Straits Times
The Straits Times
The Straits Times is an English language daily broadsheet newspaper based in Singapore currently owned by Singapore Press Holdings . It is the country's highest-selling paper, with a current daily circulation of nearly 400,000...
on 24 April of that year, "Far better to have a handsome memorial of extravagance to stare us in the face, than a memory of folly, in a half finished, or even badly finished work. Laying all prejudices aside moreover...it must be admitted that the building is a handsome one — the handsomest in a long way in the Settlement
Straits Settlements
The Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia.Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under direct British control as a crown colony on 1 April 1867...
and one which will be an ornament to the place long after those who fought for and against it have passed away". It was completed just in time for a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh.
The entire Government House, its grounds and auxiliary residences were built by convict labour — J.F.A. McNair supervisor for the construction of Government House, was also, conveniently, Superintendent of convicts. It was an impressive building and won accolades from its occupants, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
s and visitors.
A "nearly perfect" residence is how Sir Frederick Weld
Frederick Weld
Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld, GCMG , was a New Zealand politician and a governor of various British colonies. He was the sixth Premier of New Zealand, and later served as Governor of Western Australia, Governor of Tasmania, and Governor of the Straits Settlements.-Early life:Weld was born near...
, Governor of the Straits Settlements and official resident there from 1880 to 1887, described it in a lecture at the Royal Colonial Institute in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He said Government House was "...cool and airy, with a beautiful view of land and sea, and glimpses of the town and shipping through the trees, whilst landward, when the evening haze or the morning mist soften the outlines of the undulations, fill each little valley, and bring out the masses of dark trees, rising against the skyline, it would be hard to find a more perfect picture of repose in a richer landscape".
World War II
During the JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese invasion of 1942, deliberate shell
Bomb
A bomb is any of a range of explosive weapons that only rely on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy...
ing destroyed the small ceremonial gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
s on the steps of Government House and left the building and its grounds in a state of ruin. Then Governor Sir Shenton Thomas
Shenton Thomas
Sir Thomas Shenton Whitelegge Thomas, GCMG, GCStJ was the last Governor of the Straits Settlements, 1934–1942 during which time World War II began. He died at age 82...
and Lady Daisy Thomas loyally remained in Government House with their servants until the very last moments. When they finally evacuated, they took with them the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
that had been flying in front of Government House and carefully kept it hidden throughout the Japanese Occupation
Japanese Occupation of Singapore
The Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War II occurred between about 1942 and 1945 after the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942. Military forces of the Empire of Japan occupied Singapore after defeating the combined Australian, British, Indian and Malayan garrison in the Battle of Singapore...
. During the occupation, the house was occupied by Field Marshal Count Terauchi, commander of the Japanese Southern Army, and Major General Kawamura, commander of the Singapore Defense Forces.
Post-war
When Singapore attained self-rule in 1959, the building was handed over to the Singapore Government. It was then renamed the Istana. Yusof Ishak was appointed the first local head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan NegaraYang di-Pertuan Negara
Yang di-Pertuan Negara, meaning "Head of State" in Malay, was used as an official title at various times in Sabah, Singapore and Brunei.-Singapore:...
, and took up office at the Istana.
The building was extensively renovated between 1996 and 1998 to add more space and modern day conveniences. The building today has six function rooms used for ceremonial and entertainment purposes. The offices of the President and his staff are also located within the building.
Present
Since its first occupancy in 1869, the Istana has seen 21 terms of governorship (1869–1958), two terms of Yang di-Pertuan Negara (1959–1965) and six terms of Presidential occupation (since 1965), not to mention the Japanese occupancy between 1942 and 1945.Today, the Istana is the official residence of the President of Singapore
President of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
. However, no presidents have lived there since 1959 nor any cabinet ministers. The villas which are meant to be used for foreign heads of state are also used rarely. The Istana building and its grounds are open to the public on five selected statutory holiday
Statutory holiday
Statutory holiday may refer to:*Public holidays in Canada*Public holidays in New Zealand*Public holidays in Australia*Public holidays in the United Kingdom...
s — Lunar New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa, Labour Day
Labour Day
Labour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for...
and National Day
National Day
The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation or non-sovereign country. This nationhood can be symbolized by the date of independence, of becoming republic or a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler . Often the day is not called "National Day"...
. Due to the closeness of Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa in some years, the grounds of the Istana are sometimes open only once during this time period in commemoration of both public holidays. Other times, its grounds are often used for state functions and ceremonial occasions such as swearing-in, investitures and the presentation of credentials by heads of foreign missions. The Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Singapore
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore is the head of the government of the Republic of Singapore. The President of Singapore appoints as Prime Minister a Member of Parliament who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs.The office of Prime Minister...
, senior minister, and minister mentor have their offices in the Istana Annex.
On the first Sunday of the month, there is a Changing of the Guards parade, which is a popular public event.
Architecture
The Istana is similar to many 18th century neo-Palladian style buildings designed by British military engineers in India. It has a tropical layout, like a Malay house, surrounded by statuesque columns, deep verandahs, louvred windows and panelled doors, to promote cross ventilation. The central 3-storey 28-metre high tower block dominates the building. The reasonably well proportioned two-storey side wings feature IonicIonic order
The Ionic order forms one of the three orders or organizational systems of classical architecture, the other two canonic orders being the Doric and the Corinthian...
, Doric
Doric order
The Doric order was one of the three orders or organizational systems of ancient Greek or classical architecture; the other two canonical orders were the Ionic and the Corinthian.-History:...
and Corinthian
Corinthian order
The Corinthian order is one of the three principal classical orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. The other two are the Doric and Ionic. When classical architecture was revived during the Renaissance, two more orders were added to the canon, the Tuscan order and the Composite order...
orders with Ionic colonnades at the second storey and Doric colonnades at the first storey. The building sits in the its elevated position overlooking its stately grounds, the Domain, reminiscent of the great garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
s of England.
Buildings throughout the Grounds
- Sri TemasekSri TemasekSri Temasek is a two-storey detached house built in 1869 which is sited within the grounds of the Istana in Singapore. Previously, it served as the residence of the Colonial Secretary during the island's colonial era...
, also built in 1869, for the Colonial Secretary and was the official residence of the Prime Minister - The Annexe
- The Istana Villa (1938)
- The Lodge (1974)
- The Japanese Gun, presented to Lord Louis Mountbatten after the Japanese surrender in 1945
- MarshMarshIn geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
Garden (1970) - Lily ponds
- A nine-holeGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
golf courseGolf courseA golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes... - A burial placeCemeteryA cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
of the Bencoolen MuslimMuslimA Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s, who came to Singapore between 1825 and 1828, located on the southern slopes of the grounds close to the Orchard Road entrance
Rooms located in the Main Building
- Reception Hall
This is where the president introduces his cabinet to visiting dignitaries and foreign heads of missions. As its name states, tea receptions are held here right after a state dinner
- Banquet Hall
Guest dine in with the president and get entertained in this room. At the end of this hall is a trompe-l'œil painted with a backdrop of orchids. The room is also used to display state gifts during its open house. The room is made out of formerly what's of the kitchen and some workshops.
- State Room
This room is the seat and office of the President of Singapore
President of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
. The hall is used for events such as the swearing in of a newly elected cabinet/president or for presentations of gifts, awards etc. The room used to be the sitting room of Sir Shenton Thomas
Shenton Thomas
Sir Thomas Shenton Whitelegge Thomas, GCMG, GCStJ was the last Governor of the Straits Settlements, 1934–1942 during which time World War II began. He died at age 82...
, he originally placed a statue of Queen Victoria at the end of this room. The statue was later removed and preserved to make way for what is now the Presidential Chair and two state flags, one of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and the other, The Presidential Standard. The statue of Queen Victoria now stands at the end of the Victoria Pond located south of the Istana Grounds.
- Office of President of Singapore
This room which is located on the third floor of the Istana is forbidden to the public and only can the President of Singapore
President of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...
himself access the premises. The room has four key pieces of furniture: a maroon
Maroon (color)
Maroon is a dark red color.-Etymology:Maroon is derived from French marron .The first recorded use of maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.-Maroon :...
sofa for guests to rest on, the main office desk made out of wood, a cowhide
Cowhide
Cowhide is the natural, unbleached skin and hair of a cow. It retains the original coloring of the animal. Cowhides are a natural product/by-product of the food industry from cattle. Cowhide can also be processed into a leather, which can be used to make such things as shoes, wallets and leather...
office Chair
Chair
A chair is a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs are most often supported by four legs and have a back; however, a chair can have three legs or could have a different shape depending on the criteria of the chair specifications. A chair without a back or...
, and a wooden side desk.
- Parlours
There are so far two parlour
Parlour
Parlour , from the French word parloir, from parler , denotes an "audience chamber". In parts of the United Kingdom and the United States, parlours are common names for certain types of food service houses, restaurants or special service areas, such as tattoo parlors...
s in the Istana. Both of them are located on the third floor which its premises are forbidden to the public and its official use is by visiting state leaders or dignitaries only.
- Private Residence
The private residence of the president is located on the second floor. Like the third floor, the premises is forbidden to the public.
See also
- Istana Kampong GlamMalay Heritage CentreThe Malay Heritage Centre is a cultural centre in Singapore to showcase the heritage, culture and history of Malay Singaporeans. Located at Sultan Gate of Kampong Glam, the 8,000 square metre centre was launched on 27 November 2004....
, former palace of the Sultan of Singapore - History of SingaporeHistory of SingaporeThe history of Singapore dates to the 11th century. The island rose in importance during the 14th century under the rule of Srivijayan prince Parameswara and became an important port until it was destroyed by Acehnese raiders in 1613. The modern history of Singapore began in 1819 when Englishman...
- Timeline of Singaporean historyTimeline of Singaporean historyThis is a timeline of the history of Singapore. For more detailed annual listings, see List of years in Singapore.-Before 1800:* 3rd century – Early Chinese account of Singapore describes the island of "Pu Luo Chung"....
- Government Houses of the British Empire and CommonwealthGovernment Houses of the British Empire and CommonwealthGovernment House is the name given to some of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by the occupant...