Raffles Place is the embodiment of modern Singapore and is home to the Lion City’s tallest buildings. They tower above the square, with skyscrapers like the UOB Plaza, One Raffles Place and Republic Plaza soaring to 280 metres. It’s been the city’s commercial capital for almost 200 years, and today hosts industrial giants like Singapore Exchange Ltd, Bloomberg, Hitachi and JP Morgan.
While concrete, glass, and steel may dominate the scene, Raffles Place is bordered by beautifully maintained stretches of grass. This splash of greenery in the heart of the CBD makes the plaza a favourite for corporate Singaporeans in search of an energising lunch spot. Nearby, visitors can make a beeline for the mythical Merlion fountain, and the avant-garde Art Centre Esplanade Theatre inspired by the durian fruit.
Gazing up at Singapore’s loftiest skyscrapers is easy, with the Raffles Place MRT Station dropping both office workers and sightseers in the heart of the action. Bus services also run along Raffles Place, while the area can also be reached by foot from Marina Bay, Clarke Quay, and other waterfront sites.
Raffles Place has a special role in Singapore, as it was designed by the city’s founding father, Sir Stamford Raffles himself. Back in 1819 he envisioned Singapore as a commercial powerhouse and keynote trading post of the East India Company. In 1823, Raffles Place emerged as the bolster of his vision and is still considered one of Asia’s most important business hubs.