Historic Boat Quay of Singapore
Naveen Marasinghe asked:
Once part of the old Port of Singapore, during the 1860s it handled three quarters of all shipping business of the port. The Chinese swarmed to this area because the shape of the south bank of the river resembles the belly of a carp, and according to Chinese belief, it signaled concentration of wealth and prosperity. They built many shop-houses along the Quay.
The primary role of Boat Quay has changed, it no longer is part of aquatic trade and maritime commerce. Instead it is a tourist hub with the Chinese shop-houses having been conserved and transformed into bars, pubs and restaurants. It has enormous aesthetic appeal for the commercial zone lying across the Singapore River, and a gentle front for the financial and banking offices lying behind it.
Boat Quay is also part of the plans of the Urban Redevelopment Authority to conserve the Singapore River and its surrounding areas according to a master plan drafted in 1986.
On 7th July 1989, the government declared the area encompassing South Bridge Road, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and North Canal road, as a gazetted area. Consequently, the two- and three-level shop-houses in these areas, with their typical five-foot stretch beneath projecting upper floors were transformed to house new businesses while preserving their original design. The 1990s saw the restoration of the shop-houses and godowns along the river bank into bustling centers of business as bars, pubs shops and restaurants.
The many Singapore hotels around the Boat Quay will provide you with easy-access accommodation. If luxury is what you prefer, reserve your room at any of the Millenium Hotels Singapore.
Visit Singapore!
Once part of the old Port of Singapore, during the 1860s it handled three quarters of all shipping business of the port. The Chinese swarmed to this area because the shape of the south bank of the river resembles the belly of a carp, and according to Chinese belief, it signaled concentration of wealth and prosperity. They built many shop-houses along the Quay.
The primary role of Boat Quay has changed, it no longer is part of aquatic trade and maritime commerce. Instead it is a tourist hub with the Chinese shop-houses having been conserved and transformed into bars, pubs and restaurants. It has enormous aesthetic appeal for the commercial zone lying across the Singapore River, and a gentle front for the financial and banking offices lying behind it.
Boat Quay is also part of the plans of the Urban Redevelopment Authority to conserve the Singapore River and its surrounding areas according to a master plan drafted in 1986.
On 7th July 1989, the government declared the area encompassing South Bridge Road, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and North Canal road, as a gazetted area. Consequently, the two- and three-level shop-houses in these areas, with their typical five-foot stretch beneath projecting upper floors were transformed to house new businesses while preserving their original design. The 1990s saw the restoration of the shop-houses and godowns along the river bank into bustling centers of business as bars, pubs shops and restaurants.
The many Singapore hotels around the Boat Quay will provide you with easy-access accommodation. If luxury is what you prefer, reserve your room at any of the Millenium Hotels Singapore.
Visit Singapore!
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