Clarke Quay is located upsteam from Boat Quay. Clarke Quay is named after Sir Andrew Clarke, the second Governor of the Straits Settlements. According to Singapore Street Names1, Clarke Quay got its name in 1896. The streets that today bear the name Clarke Quay was originally two streets called East Street and West Street, on the northern part of Kampong Melaka. Today the Clarke Quay area has been transformed into a popular food and beverage precinct. The subzone covers 30 hectares, representing 31% of the Singapore River Planning Area.
During colonial times, Clarke Quay was where godowns (dockside warehouses) were located. Barges would bring the goods from the ships anchored at the mouth of the Singapore River upstream to Clarke Quay. At the height of trading, Singapore river is choked with bumboats jostling for position. Needless to say, the Singapore River was very polluted at that time.
After independence, the Singapore Government took steps to clean up Singapore River. By the mid 1980's all the trading companies have vacated Clarke Quay, as they did Boat Quay, and the government set in motion plans to revitalise Clarke Quay as a commercial, residential and entertainment enclave. The shophouses and godowns at Clarke Quay, Clarke Street and Reed Street were preserved, and the place turned into a pedestrian mall, complete with overhead shelter.
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