Being the first air-conditioned theatre in Singapore, people from different communities had visited this landmark. Having been used for Japanese propaganda activities, this landmark has great significance. The Japanese made great use of psychological warfare to gain support from the people of the countries they occupied. The history of this landmark educates the citizens of Singapore to be psychologically strong in any emergency and unites us against anybody who tries to conquer us.

The Cathay Building, opened in 1939 by Dato Loke Wan Tho, was the headquarters for the British Malaya Broadcasting Corporation before the Japanese Occupation.

In February 1942, due to the war, the Cathay Building was converted to a Red Cross casualty station. The Japanese Broadcasting Department, the Military Propaganda Department and Military Information Bureau later used this buildong to carry out their propaganda activities. They attempted imposing the Japanese language on the people through Japanese broadcasts and banning Allied broadcasts. Yet, many Refused to listen to the Japanese broadcasts and risked their lives listening to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Admiral Lord Mountbatten, South-East Asian Supreme Allied Commander, later used this as his headquarters until 1946. He accepted the Japanese surrender in 1945.