[2] In 1888, British projects to increase the width and depth of the Singapore River made it easier to access existing warehouses on Pulau Saigon, which in turn made other parts of the island commercially viable.

Quays and bridges were built and many of the island's original buildings were demolished and replaced by those from new industries ranging from slaughtering cattle, manufacturing pottery, and burning rubbish.

[3] Pulau Saigon became an extension of the mainland when the western arm of the river was drained in 1972.

[3] In 1991, the eastern arm of the river was drained as well and the island was completely merged with the mainland at Magazine road.

In February and March 2016, an exhibit at the Archaeological Library of the National University of Singapore by Debbie Ding featured speculative examples of artefacts from the island.