Shenton Way

In January 1948, the British colonial government announced a development scheme in the Telok Ayer reclamation area, consisting of the development of {{convert|250000|sqft|m2}} of state land and the extension of Raffles Quay from Boon Tat Street to Prince Edward Road.{{cite news |author= |date=15 January 1948 |title=1,000,000 sq.ft. of offices planned |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19480115-1.2.2 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=1 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=1 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402124234/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19480115-1.2.2 |url-status=live }} The construction of the Raffles Quay extension was also recommended to the government in a special committee's report in September 1948,{{cite news |author= |date=6 September 1948 |title=Colony Redevelopment Scheme |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19480906-1.2.45 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=1 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=5 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201643/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19480906-1.2.45 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |author= |date=28 December 1950 |title=$1,000,000 face. lift for waterfront |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19501228-1.2.88 |work=Malaya Tribune |location= |access-date= |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402124221/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/maltribune19501228-1.2.88 |url-status=live }}

The first section of the road was opened to traffic in August 1951 by the then-Governor of Singapore Franklin Gibson. Consisting of two {{convert|27|ft|m}} carriageways, the road was named "Shenton Way" after Shenton Thomas, to show appreciation for his service to Singapore during his tenure as Governor.{{cite news |author= |date=3 August 1951 |title=Governor opens Shenton Way |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19510803-1.2.17 |work=The Singapore Free Press |location=Singapore |access-date=1 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=1 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201644/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19510803-1.2.17 |url-status=live }} Plans for the second phase of construction, connecting the initial section with the harbour, were submitted for approval in July 1951,{{cite news |author= |date=22 July 1951 |title=An 'impressive facade' wanted |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19510722-1.2.46 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=1 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=5 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402124226/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19510722-1.2.46 |url-status=live }} and it was completed in 1952.{{cite news |author= |date=5 September 1952 |title=Extension To Shenton Way |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singstandard19520903-1.2.49 |work=Singapore Standard |location=Singapore |access-date=1 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=3 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201647/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singstandard19520903-1.2.49 |url-status=live }}

In February 1952, the colonial government initiated a development scheme in the area, 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.{{cite news |author= |date=7 February 1952 |title=Multi-million $ skyline planned for city |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singstandard19520207-1.2.36 |work=Singapore Standard |location=Singapore |access-date=1 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=3 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402124225/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/singstandard19520207-1.2.36 |url-status=live }}

The plots were auctioned off to developers in March 1952 at over $3,900,000, in what the Straits Times described as a "record auction".{{cite news |author= |date=7 March 1952 |title=Bank bids $742,000 for a lease on Crown land |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19520307-1.2.65 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=19 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=5 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201645/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19520307-1.2.65 |url-status=live }} Nevertheless, problems soon arose with the scheme, as several developers were unable to have their building plans approved since the minimum building cost of $1,000,000 set by the lease conditions exceeded the $50,000 limit under the Control of Building Ordinance.{{cite news |author= |date=30 July 1952 |title=Shenton Way: buyers have paid $3.9 m. |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19520730-1.2.25 |work=The Singapore Free Press |location=Singapore |access-date=19 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=1 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201646/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19520730-1.2.25 |url-status=live }} Development resumed after the government announced the loosening of most restrictions set by the ordinance,{{cite news |author= |date= |title=Shenton Way men will try again |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19520809-1.2.97 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=19 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=7 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201646/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19520809-1.2.97 |url-status=live }} but hit another snag when developers were unable to find solid rock for foundations.{{cite news |author= |date=26 August 1952 |title=Shenton Way is facing a new crisis |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19520826-1.2.58 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=19 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=4 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201647/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19520826-1.2.58 |url-status=live }} A diamond-headed drill from Britain and a specialist from Australia was brought in by a developer to assist in the process,{{cite news |author= |date= |title=Special drill for Shenton Way site rock foundation probe |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19520930-1.2.81 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=19 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=5 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201647/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19520930-1.2.81 |url-status=live }} finding solid rock and underground water under the site.{{cite news |author= |date=31 December 1952 |title=He drilled for rock and found sweet water |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19521231-1.2.125 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=19 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=8 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201648/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19521231-1.2.125 |url-status=live }} The depth of the rock, along with the underground water, necessitated the use of more expensive precast piles, driving up building cost.{{cite news |author= |date=26 June 1953 |title=Big water menace under Shenton Way sends costs soaring |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19530626-1.2.128 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=19 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=8 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201650/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19530626-1.2.128 |url-status=live }}

By September 1953, only two developers had started construction, while several others were contemplating abandoning development, owing to the onset of a recession, and high construction costs.{{cite news |author= |date=23 September 1953 |title=Shenton scheme may flop |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19530923-1.2.104.2 |work=The Singapore Free Press |location=Singapore |access-date=19 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=17 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201649/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/freepress19530923-1.2.104.2 |url-status=live }} Subsequently, in June 1954, the government took back 11 of the auctioned plots from the developers, as the developers had not commenced construction within the stipulated two-year period.{{cite news |author= |date=6 June 1954 |title=Shenton Way skyscraper scheme flops |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19540606-1.2.26 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=19 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=3 |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122201653/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19540606-1.2.26 |url-status=live }}

New development plans for the area were announced by the government in January 1956, comprising the construction of the Singapore Polytechnic and of government offices.{{cite news |author= |date=4 January 1956 |title=Poly will be at Telok Ayer |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19560104-1.2.141 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=25 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=5 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125121922/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19560104-1.2.141 |url-status=live }} Work on the polytechnic commenced on in August 1956,{{cite news |author= |date=2 April 1956 |title=Poly building to start soon |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19560402-1.2.78 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=25 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=4 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125100352/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19560402-1.2.78 |url-status=live }} and it started classes in November 1958,{{cite news |author= |date=4 November 1958 |title=300 poly pioneers start classes |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19581104-1.2.78 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=25 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=9 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125121926/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19581104-1.2.78 |url-status=live }} but the government office project was cancelled by the government in April 1958, due to a trade recession.{{cite news |author= |date=23 April 1958 |title=Colony shelves five major projects |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitsbudget19580423-1.2.47 |work=Straits Budget |location=Singapore |access-date=25 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=10 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125100356/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitsbudget19580423-1.2.47 |url-status=live }} In addition, the Trade Union House, the National Trades Union Congress's headquarters, was built along Shenton Way from 1962 to 1965.{{cite news |author= |date=28 June 1965 |title=$4m. Trade Union House to be ready for NTUC meet |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19650628-1.2.17 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=25 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=4 |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224040408/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19650628-1.2.17 |url-status=live }}

By 1963, much of the land in Singapore's central business district, between Raffles Place, High Street, and North Bridge Road, had been developed, and according to The Straits Times, property developers had asked the Singapore government about development of the Shenton Way area. In response, in October 1963, the government announced plans to allow private interests to develop a site along Shenton Way, beside the Trade Union House, for "administrative uses".{{cite news |last=Chia |first=Poteik |date=18 October 1963 |title=Hotels with a view for Shenton Way |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19631018-1.2.68 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=25 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=11 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125131941/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19631018-1.2.68 |url-status=live }} The site, subdivided into four plots, was let out on 99-year leases in 1964.{{cite news |author= |date=15 April 1964 |title=Tenders called for purchase of state land |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19640415-1.2.96 |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |access-date=25 January 2023 |via=NewspaperSG |page=11 |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125114912/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19640415-1.2.96 |url-status=live }}

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.

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

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.

• 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

{{Reflist}}

• Peter K G Dunlop (2000) Street Names of Singapore Who's Who Publishing {{ISBN|981-4062-11-1}}
• {{cite book |last1=Savage |first1=Victor R. |first2=Brenda |last2=S. A. Yeoh |title=Singapore Street Names: A Study of Toponymics |date=10 January 2022 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish Singapore |location=Singapore |isbn=978-9814928809 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=32-2zgEACAAJ |access-date=26 January 2022}}

{{Major roads in Singapore}}

{{Places in Singapore}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Places in Singapore

Category:Downtown Core (Singapore)

Category:Tanjong Pagar

Category:Roads in Singapore