[1] In 1822, Telok Ayer Street was the primary area set aside by Sir Stamford Raffles for the Chinese community.

Until the late nineteenth century, Telok Ayer Street was the main commercial and residential thoroughfare in Singapore.

[1] Before land reclamation was done in the area, boats used to moor in Telok Ayer Bay waiting to get fresh water, carried by bullock carts, from a well at Ann Siang Hill.

Temples and mosques are plentiful in this area as they were built by Chinese and Indian Muslim immigrants to show their gratitude for safe passage.

Many of these shophouses are two- and three-storey, mostly the result of the land division of the time which consisted of deep sites with narrow frontages.