Initially, the Ong brothers planned to develop the site into shop-houses in 1923 [1]. However, in June that year, the younger Ong brother filed an application to the Municipal Council for approval to organise a ‘Temporary Exhibition and Recreation Ground —“The New World”’[2]. When the Ong brothers decided to turn this into a permanent business, they started to expand in scale as more infrastructures were built [3]. The groundwork for the layout of the park was mainly settled by 1934, and further constructions were based on the existing framework [4]. Architects utilised the alleys that populated the premises to create a sort of mysterious experience for the visitors as they weaved through the narrow roads to find themselves in different attractions [5]. This was part of the park’s strategy to create a captivating experience for its visitors.

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The design of the park was infused with “Malay, Roman and Moorish styles, replete with arches, turrets, and spires”[6], further emphasising the multi-ethnic community it served. Bright electric neon lights also decorated the park to enhance its glamour [7]. It was no wonder that people find themselves dreading about leaving such a fascinating place.

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