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Tanjong Pagar: A district steeped in history
Way before it became known for its glitzy office buildings and bustling restaurants and pubs, Tanjong Pagar used to be an enclave for dock workers who had migrated from China and India in the later part of the 19th century. Its convenient location also saw it transform into a hub for rickshaw pullers, who often ferried passengers between the docks to town and vice versa. Around this time, land values in the area rose as well, making it a popular choice for rich Chinese and Arab traders to purchase real estate. By the second World War, however, overcrowding and the proliferation of vices had transformed Tanjong Pagar into an inner-city ghetto, and it wasn’t until the district was gazetted under a conservation plan in the 1980s that its heritage buildings were restored and Tanjong Pagar saw an uptake in business activity to become the thriving commercial centre it is today.