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 Planning and construction 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. Initial development plans 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. 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". 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. Development resumed after the government announced the loosening of most restrictions set by the ordinance, but hit another snag when