[4] The Straits Settlements Association of Singapore had several correspondences with the current governor Sir Cecil Clementi appealing to retain the name of Johnston for the new pier.

Persuasion failed due to the governor refusing to reverse his decision on grounds that Clifford's name was prominent in the region.

The existing 26,000 square metre Clifford Pier site including its adjacent former Customs Harbour Branch building has been safeguarded for conservation, and its surrounding land parcels are currently being developed into a retail, leisure, entertainment and hotel centre.

The pier has a simple but unique architecture with a roof structure comprising concrete arched trusses in a riband form.

After 18 months of renovation costing S$6 million, the premises was leased to Calvin Yeung, a famed Hong Kong restaurateur,[6] his upscale Chinese restaurant One On The Bund was opened on the former pier on 11 December 2008.