Shenton Way

Shenton Way is a major trunk road serving Singapore's Central Area and is most commonly known for the commercial skyscrapers flanking both sides of the road. The road is a one-way street that starts at the junction of Boon Tat Street, Raffles Quay and Commerce Street before ending at Keppel Road.

History

In January 1948, the Singapore government announced a development scheme in the Telok Ayer reclamation area, consisting of the development of of state land and the extension of Raffles Quay from Boon Tat Street to Prince Edward Road. The construction of the Raffles Quay extension was also recommended to the government in a special committee's report in September 1948, to improve connectivity between the central area and the harbour and to allow for the development of reclaimed land between Tanjong Pagar and Finalyson Green. Work on the extension's first phase between Raffles Quay and Prince Edward Road had commenced by December 1950, while construction of the second phase linking Prince Edward Road to Singapore Harbour was expected to commence in 1951.

The first section of the road was opened to traffic in August 1951 by the then-Governor of Singapore Franklin Gibson. Consisting of two carriageways, the road was named "Shenton Way" after Shenton Thomas, to show appreciation for his service to Singapore during his tenure as Governor. Plans for the second phase of construction, connecting the initial section with the harbour, were submitted for approval in July 1951, and it was completed in 1952.

The colonial government subsequently initiated a development scheme in the area in February 1952, offering 17 plots of land along Shenton Way and Robinson Road for sale on 99-year leases. These plots were leased out on the condition that ten-storey buildings with a uniform exterior design and finish, and conforming to government regulations on their construction and use, were built on them within a four-year window.

Since the 1950s, Shenton Way has become known as Singapore's Wall Street, especially after commercial developments and government offices were built there from the 1970s onwards and continues to be a prime commercial address on par with that of Raffles Place today.

Public transport

Buses

The Shenton Way Bus Terminal is located at 31 Shenton Way.

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)

The road is directly served by its namesake Shenton Way station on the Thomson–East Coast Line (TEL), located on Park Street next to the Asia Square building. Other stations within the vicinity include Downtown station on the Downtown Line (DTL) and the upcoming Prince Edward Road station on the Circle Line (CCL), located at the end of the road towards Keppel.

Buildings along Shenton Way

* One Shenton Way
* AXA Tower (also known as 8 Shenton Way)
* SGX Centre
* OUE Downtown (formerly DBS Building)
* Singapore Conference Hall
* MAS Building
* Shenton House
* Eon Shenton
* 76 Shenton Way
* 78 Shenton Way
* V on Shenton (formerly UIC Building)
* Hock Teck See, which was built in 1844
* Shenton Way Bus Terminal

References

Bibliography

*Peter K G Dunlop (2000) ''Street Names of Singapore'' Who's Who Publishing
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Places in Singapore
Downtown Core (Singapore)
Tanjong Pagar
Roads in Singapore